While it doesn't do much that we haven't seen before, this new 'Ratchet & Clank' game is a lot of fun.
'R&C:TOD' is all about weapons, smashing crates, shooting enemies, upgrading those weapons with a bit of platforming on the side. The story that goes along with the game isn't that great, but it does the job of keeping you interested up to the end of the game (and the cliffhanger ending). But the main attraction here is the combat. Smashing crates and killing enemies often leave you with bolts to pick up and use as currency to purchase new weapons. Slain enemies also may drop crystals which you can then use to upgrade your weapons. It's a simple, but addictive formula & it works quite well. And the developer, 'Insomniac', should get credit for coming up with some very interesting & crazy weaponry. The platforming segments are fun and are mostly just an excuse to use 'Clank' for something useful.
Where 'R&C:TOD' starts to falter is when it tries to shoehorn too many different things into this game. For instance, there is a mini-game that pops up when you need to hack the circuitry on a locked door. This mini-game is frustrating and annoying because you have to use the Siaxis motion controls to do it. Why they even bothered to include this mini-game is beyond me. Another example is when you fly between levels (or planets, as each level is on a different planet), you sometimes get thrown into a spacefight with some pirates. This turns into a space-shooter of sorts. The problem is the controls are lousy and it's just not much fun. Once again, it wasn't needed in the first place. There are other examples, but I think you get the idea. While I like the idea of adding variety into a game, sometimes there is such a thing as "too much".
My biggest annoyance with the game, however, is the lack of decent checkpoints. While the game is very easy and you will rarely die, if you do then expect to be re-playing much of the level you are on. In fact, if you save and turn your PS3 off and come back......you will probably be re-playing the entire level over again. This is just annoying and is a weak way to pad gameplay time. It becomes more of an issue near the end of the game when the game actually decides to offer up a decent challenge.
Other than those gripes, along with the un-original gameplay, I don't have much of anything bad to say about the game. It looks fantastic and was the best looking PS3 game at the time of it's release. Even though it mentions it on the back of the box & the game does look fantastic, don't go thinking this is like a 'Pixar' movie or anything. I didn't really notice the music much, but the voice acting is very well done. The game will have you laughing every now and then (especially the character 'Quark') and there is something refreshing about playing a quality game that is not bloody, violent, & doesn't use nasty language.
If you have kids, I would highly recommend picking up 'R&C:TOD'. It will provide over ten hours of fun and it's very easy on the eyes. If you are like me, and have never tried the series before, this isn't a bad place to start. I wasn't too lost with the story (it's not that deep to begin with) or characters and I had a fun time with the game. This isn't the "system seller" that some are claiming it to be, but it is a fun game that is certainly worth a rental, at the very least.