When the PS3 first launched there weren’t many great games available; Resistance: Fall of Man and Motorstorm were the pick of a decent, but not amazing, bunch.

With Ratchet and Clank: Tools Of Destruction the PS3 has its first must-have title. It offers pretty much everything you’d want in a game; fun, action, weapons, explosions, humour and some of the most beautiful graphics you’ll have ever seen, anywhere. 

Remember those games on the PS2 that had the most amazing looking cut-scenes only to pale in comparison when the in-game action kicked in?

Well technology has finally progressed and in TOD the graphics are consistently super. That includes the hustle and bustle of the first level, through to the lush greenery in some of the later missions.

Look closely at metal structures and the texture looks just right. Look far into the distance or at the sky and you can see futuristic vehicles floating into the distance high above play.

In fact there will be times during the game when you’ll feel like taking time out from the action to merely walk around the levels, taking in their beauty: it’s gaming tourism at its best.

And when you’ve stopped staring at the visuals you might remember there’s a story. Playing Ratchet – the last of the Lombax species – you must stop Emperor Percival Tachyon from trying to take over the galaxy.

He’s also captured the loveable Captain Quark (think of him as a cross between Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear and Zap Brannigan from Futurama and you’ll have an idea of what he’s like), and it’s up to Ratchet and his robotic sidekick, Clank, to save him.

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