There are some games that have an aura (subtle field of luminous multicolored radiation) about them, and from the moment the title screen appears before your eyes, you will believe that Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is one of those games.

You see it in the attention to detail, and we’re not talking about detail found in the places you expect to see it, like in game animation and cinematic cut scenes — no, we’re referring to the detail we found in places that are often overlooked in lesser quality games, such as the menu system, loading screen, and in game audio.

Ratchet and Clank’s use of color is breathtaking, character personalities are instantly believable and compelling to say the least. The title screams “well thought out and imaginative” from beginning to end. While some have commented on the games slight departure from its comedic roots, we found the storyline (a bit more serious this time around) to be highly entertaining and funny in its own right. In fact, if Captain Qwark doesn’t make you laugh out loud at least once, we suggest you seek immediate counseling for whatever ails you.

Graphics, while never an issue in the PS2 versions of the game, are simply stunning on the PS3. On par with what you would expect to see in a Disney Pixar film. Enemies lash out in packs, bolts litter the air, and vehicles constantly buzz overhead. The foreground and background in Ratchet & Clank are almost always in a constant state of motion, yet the frame rate is near perfect at all times. Insomniac dishes out, and the PS3 responds beautifully.

Cutscenes are well done, and showcase the amount of time and talent spent developing the much anticipated sequel. If this is a glimpse into the future of both the series and the capabilities of the PS3, we want more!

Weapons, which have always been a mainstay in series, are back with a vengeance, as Tools of Destruction offers a selection that is second to none. From classics like the Shock Ravager to new additions like the Mag-Net Launcher, gamers will find endless ways to devastate (and even levitate) would be attackers that get in their way.

Destroying enemies sends bolts flying through the air along with pieces of Raritanium (the rare crystal which appeared in previous iterations of the game), and in addition to being highly addictive, collecting these remnants is extremely beneficial. The items act as a form of in game currency, allowing you to purchase weapon upgrades throughout the game. Upgrades take place automatically based on a particular weapons use.

While the arsenal in Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction make for spectacular on-screen entertainment, some of the weapon controls may be a bit tricker to master than others, so bust out your disco ball and start testing that Transmorpher. Here kitty kitty….

Gameplay controls are fluid, responsive, and shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to grasp. The camera system, while free of glitches for the most part, lacks a reset button, making it a tad bit difficult to get your bearings straight when you are being attacked from multiple directions. Switching over to “lock-strafe” mode remedies the issue somewhat, however there is an instance in the game where strafe mode gets overridden, and you will be forced to adapt to the change in game play controls on the fly.

Overall, Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction will open the eyes of Playstation 3 critics, as it delivers a colorful and upbeat gaming experience that newcomers and die hard fans will both thoroughly enjoy. From its adrenaline pumping high speed chase sequences, to its intergalactic slugfests, Insomniac’s latest and greatest has a little something for everyone.