Rachet & Clank Future a week closer to present

In late September, Sony and Insomniac Games mildly frustrated many PlayStation 3 owners by announcing that Rachet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction was delayed by a week. This week, they mildly pleased those same gamers by quietly revealing that it will be arriving at some locations a full seven days before its release date.

"The official date is still set for October 30," a Sony rep said of the game. "However, the game manufacturing is complete and some retailers have already gotten their games in. They can start selling the game as early as the 23rd."

While this dual-tiered release strategy may frustrate retailers, it will delight those eager to play Rachet & Clank Future. The mischievous duo's PS3 debut sees the pair set loose in the space-age city of Metropolis, which is invaded by an alien race. The extraterrestrial invaders are in search of the final specimen of the Lombax species--which just happens to be Ratchet. Humorous platforming action ensues.

Rachet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 Years or Older, and will retail for $59.99. It is one of a series of PS3 exclusives Sony is hoping will boost flagging sales of its console this holiday season, and a free demo of the game is currently available on the PlayStation Store.