Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction scans emerge
by Nick Doerr 
{ Mar 5th 2007 at 3:30PM }
Let's have a little bit of a discussion to open this post. Graphics. Specifically, games like Ratchet & Clank... they look great for what they are -- is this a style of game (cartoonish, for lack of a better word) where the graphics have reached their zenith? Sure, you can add more crap on screen at once, individual blades of grass or fur or whatever... but you wouldn't want these to take on a "realistic" look, would you? What do you think? Is this the best you would want to see out of this style of... art?Anyway, some scans have popped up on JeuxFrance depicting our two heroes utilizing some crazy weaponry, as usual. One of the pictures (not the one we're using) has what's called the Groovitron, which when fired, causes the enemy to begin dancing uncontrollably, lowering its guard. Nice. We all know that when people are dancing, their self-esteem is the most vulnerable. So, in essence, dancing does indeed cause people to have a lowered guard. Well played. Anyway, this game will probably have a few new bits of info released after the GDC.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Someone @ Mar 5th 2007 3:48PM
"...games like Ratchet & Clank... they look great for what they are -- is this a style of game (cartoonish, for lack of a better word) where the graphics have reached their zenith?"
It's that belief that caused Nintendo to re-package the GameCube with motion-sensors. It's more commonly known as the Wii.
Aside from that, I think there is room for improvement in these kind of games and I can definitely see an improvement in the graphics from those pics (assuming they're in-game graphics). What I really noticed is that the visuals are bigger than in the previous Ratchet and Clank games. Cartoonish-animation games can usually get away with not-so-great graphics by keeping the visuals small, but these larger visuals show that the graphics have improved. I've always liked the Ratchet and Clank games, and it looks like the games greatness has passed-on into next-gen.
Colin @ Mar 5th 2007 4:19PM
It's a reasonable enough point, but I disagree.
Platform/adventure games can still benefit from additional graphical horsepower. It means things like a)full scene anti-aliasing (no jaggies!), b) massive increase in highly detailed lighting, c)more monsters on screen and d)better animations. The Ratchet and Clank series would be able to benefit from all of those - and it needs next-gen power to do it.
That said, the screenshots didn't really blow me away. Looked nice, but I'll wait to see some non-scanned ones (or even better, video), until I decide.
-Colin
Jose Godinez @ Mar 6th 2007 7:55AM
Yup, looks good. I agree, not mindblowing, but heading in the right direction. Weapon effects will definitely be worth the jump to next gen. Maybe even customizable online skins. Pick an animal, pick some gear, fur color, size... you know. THAT, may in itself be worth the jump to the PS3... its fraggin time!
Jman @ May 5th 2007 8:18PM
I have heard that ratchet will get to wield a new weapon called the Tornadolauncher. You will get to fire the tornado and control its movements with the sixaxis controller motion sensor.