With the conclusion of the San Diego International Comic Con last weekend, news about games coming out this autumn have been emerging throughout the week. Yesterday, new info (and video) about Playstation's favorite sci-fi duo appeared, to the great surprise and happiness of fans of the kitty and his favourite metal friend.

Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time (Add the 'Future' part if you're in the US) had a big showing at this years Comic Con. The third installment of the series on the PS3 will finally conclude the story arc that started in Tools of Destruction. This time we get to see our two heroes in a whole different light, with Ratchet trying to save his friend Clank who is being held captive at the end of the universe in what is known as the Great Clock. Here is the new trailer to the game thanks to the guys at the PlayStation.Blog.



The panel at Comic Con revealed a lot about the coming game, including some things that cannot be revealed until the game's release. However, the PlayStation.Blog was able to give the masses on the internet a first look at some Clank gameplay, something fans haven't seen on the PS3 since Tools of Destruction. Brian Allgeier, creative director for A Crack in Time, shows us Clank's new allies as well as his new weapon, which can do some interesting things. He also says this game will have the most Clank gameplay than any other Ratchet and Clank title to date.

The last video that has been released is probably the most exciting part about the game: the Constructo weapons. These weapons you can not only change the way they look but also the way they function. Apparently, a player can find different mods throughout the game to change up each Constructo weapon to make it do different things. These different things include the type of ammunition as well as the way the ammunition fires and even how the ammunition destroys.



The game's developer Insomniac also revealed that there will be new space gameplay that will allow players to engage in space battles and explore the galaxy for new levels and collectibles. And with the inclusion of the 36 combinations of Constructo weapons there will be plenty of new things added to the R&C arsenal including the Spiral of Death, a weapon created by the winning fan of the "My Blaster Runs Hot contest".

Look for "Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time" on the shelves this autumn.

Chuck

Labels: Chuck, Comic-Con, Rachet and Clank

Ah, 2008. It seems like so long ago; the world's moved on into 2009 without a second thought, hoping that money will get better, the weather more bearable and the games thicker and faster. But, let me cast your memory back to 2008, with my top 5 games of the year.

#5 007: Quantum of Solace

I bought this game after seeing gameplay videos and following the hype surrounding the new Bond film and game, expecting an exciting and bone-numbingly adrenaline-filled gaming experience. I wasn't disappointed. Quantum of Solace has many redeeming features - the excellent Gears-esque cover system, the fantastic shooting, the dual-camera view, and a good storyline that was loyal to the plotlines of both of Craig's Bond films. However, there were some flaws (such as the dreadful online play) which forces it to number 5.


#4 Far Cry 2

Do you love Africa? Are you an amateur arsonist? Do you like shooters? If the answer to any of these answers is yes, then Far Cry 2 is my recommendation to you. This game is brilliant in most senses of the word; the expansive, sandbox play area, fantastic fire and explosion effects and decent online mode gains Far Cry 2 the number 4 spot.

#3 Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty

This PlayStation Network exclusive is exactly what gaming is about: good, clean fun. With a fantastic and funny storyline which picks up from Tools of Destruction, Quest for Booty continues the amazing action and magnificent playability which the R&C series has become synonymous with. Graphically amazing and with some truly hilarious scripting and voice acting, Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty snatches number 3.

#2 LittleBigPlanet


Media Molecule's masterpiece LittleBigPlanet falls into the top five at number 2. A true original, LBP boasts a magnificent online system tied flawlessly into the single player campaign, fantastically narrated by Stephen Fry; brilliant customisation and user-created content and wonderful, regularly-updated DLC. A true work of art.

#1 Resistance 2

But, in the end, it has to be Insomniac's sequel to their PS3 launch title which has to scrape the top spot. Resistance 2 is everything a shooter strives for; taking all the best bits from Resistance: Fall of Man and adding much more, R2 is frantic, fun and realistic in equal measure. However, the number one has to be earned by the online mode - the least laggy I've seen in a very long time, strengthened further by the fantastic online games and party system. I'll be playing this long into 2009.

Linford

Labels: Far Cry 2, Game of the Year 2008, LittleBigPlanet, Quantum of Solace, Rachet and Clank, Resistance 2

The outings of Sony's trademark duo have always been looked forward to by old and young gamers alike and rarely failed to disappoint. The success of the previous Ratchet and Clank games have led to the development of this festival of shooting, space-pirates and small, well-spoken robots.

The first next-gen edition of the series, Tools of Destruction, is impressive from the start. The storyline is first-rate; the dialogue is well written and often funny. The action is fantastically executed and very smooth. First impressions count, and this game makes it clear from the start that it means business.

The game opens with Ratchet fixing his spaceship whilst Clank watches. Then a call comes in from the ever-hilarious Captain Quark, who is surrounded by an army of robot guards intent on killing him, a request for help is made and the protagonists set on their way to help. Ratchet and Clank then enter a world where everyone seems to want to kill them, but never quite succeed, which seems to continue for the rest of the game.

But that isn't a bad thing. The action in this game is the sort you could play a million times over and still enjoy it - it is fast, fun and has that brilliantly innocent feel that you don't usually get when killing things. Furthermore, Ratchet's array of weaponry is ingenious and great to play about with. Prime examples include the Groovitron which sends all nearby enemies into a dancing frenzy. Brilliant.

Tools of Destruction is pretty similar to previous R&C games, particularly Locked and Loaded. In fact, this game takes all the good bits of the other Ratchet & Clank and adds a gloss of next-gen paint onto it.

There are, however, some new features. The addition of Sixaxis control is a big step forward for the R&C series. Scattered throughout the game are various points where you are required to use the motion sensors to progress, and these are moments of genius. By tilting the controller, it allows you to fly, unlock doors or swerve through air traffic whilst hurtling towards the ground at high speed. In fact, the Sixaxis use in this game is probably the most intuitive I've seen on PS3.

The characters are brilliant. Besides the deadly duo, there are many other characters that pop up periodically throughout. Captain Quark, the space-pirates and the strange bloke who trades raritanium are particular favorites; they all have distinctive personalities and are easy to recognize.

But the one thing that really makes this game a gem is the little, insignificant bits that can keep you going for hours and hours. If you wanted to, for example, you could spend days on end just collecting bolts - there are so many of the bleeding things!!! These small extras give this game a real platformer atmosphere that is instantly likeable.

Insomniac has done fantastically well to produce such a masterpiece as this. True, there isn't any online play and it's pretty much the previous games in high-def, but that doesn't matter. This game will keep you playing, laughing and shooting for hours. A must-buy for any gamer with half a sense of humour.

10/10

Linford

Labels: Rachet and Clank, Review