A familiar trek through Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Sep 11th 2009 at 7:00PM } 
The weapons have always been the stars of the franchise, but A Crack in Time's time-bending theme makes for some interesting and ingenious moments that are, put simply, fun. You've already read about the unique Clank stages, in which players must record copies of themselves to solve puzzles. These interludes make for a far more thoughtful game than previous iterations in the franchise and emphasize the kind of depth Insomniac is trying to add to the experience.
Gallery: Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time
A Crack in Time feels like the most full-fledged game in the franchise so far, adding space exploration and weapons customization. However, long-time followers of the series will most appreciate the story. There is a very hefty narrative at play, as A Crack in Time promises to conclude the trilogy of Ratchet & Clank Future games. Unlike the previous iterations in the franchise, the two main characters start in very different places. The narrative, at least at first, feels somewhat disjointed, as it feels like two separate games crashed into one. It will take an encyclopedic knowledge of the series to keep track of exactly who's who and how all the events of the game transpired. There is a cute "previously on" segment that starts the game (and cleverly hides the mandatory installation process), but it serves more as a refresher of events from Tools of Destruction and Quest for Booty rather than a CliffsNotes summary for the uninitiated.
Some may be off-put by the incredibly lengthy Final Fantasy-esque opening cinematic that reveals exactly what happened to Clank, and why he's of such great importance to the Zoni and, more importantly, Dr. Nefarious. Others will revel in the stunning animation work created by Insomniac. The writing, once again, is as irreverent as ever, with pop culture throwaways and puns littering the script. Like the gameplay, the writing is unsurprisingly funny, in the comfortingly consistent way Insomniac is known for. Captain Quark, who accompanies Ratchet on his adventure, proves to be a real gem, offering colorful (and oftentimes absurd) commentary throughout the adventure. We're glad to see him back, especially after his absence in Quest for Booty (something the game directly acknowledges in some jokes).
While A Crack in Time won't push any revolutionary boundaries, it's incredible polish, beautiful graphics, and solid gameplay, have us eager to play more.
Some may be off-put by the incredibly lengthy Final Fantasy-esque opening cinematic that reveals exactly what happened to Clank, and why he's of such great importance to the Zoni and, more importantly, Dr. Nefarious. Others will revel in the stunning animation work created by Insomniac. The writing, once again, is as irreverent as ever, with pop culture throwaways and puns littering the script. Like the gameplay, the writing is unsurprisingly funny, in the comfortingly consistent way Insomniac is known for. Captain Quark, who accompanies Ratchet on his adventure, proves to be a real gem, offering colorful (and oftentimes absurd) commentary throughout the adventure. We're glad to see him back, especially after his absence in Quest for Booty (something the game directly acknowledges in some jokes).
While A Crack in Time won't push any revolutionary boundaries, it's incredible polish, beautiful graphics, and solid gameplay, have us eager to play more.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David @ Sep 11th 2009 7:06PM
This game sure looks nice. Not sure if I'll buy it on day one but I'll buy it sooner or later (I love the series but I still got many other games to complete).
now for something unrelated to the story but I share it here because I would like to gather some feedback about this from gamers. Yesterday on the PS Blog, Sony's Peter Dille said something that lends (to my belief) credence to the rumor that Gran Turismo 5 will actually be released this holiday (2009).
check it out here: http://friendfeed.com/drodzand/6ab2dad4/will-sony-release-gran-turismo-5-in-us-this
I tipped Joystiq yesterday but they haven't responded (weeps) :( What do you guys and gals think?
Solace @ Sep 11th 2009 7:19PM
it's not really saying much... all he said is theyre going to have a commercial for GT5 big whoop still no release date
David @ Sep 11th 2009 7:28PM
true, but why would they have a commercial for the "it only does everything" campaign for GT5 done already if it isn't going to be released soon? Why do an ad now if it won't come out till 2010? I think they are holding on the announcement because if they were to announce it now it would take attention away from the PSP version.
They also said the PSP version has interconnectivity with GT5. It'd be weird to feature connectivity with a game that won't be release in at least a year. Knowing Polyphony I don't think it'll be released anytime soon but still, we never know.
Leroy_Rocktopus needs a PS3 @ Sep 11th 2009 8:20PM
They had clips of MGS4 in some PS3 commercials like 6 months before it came out, so I wouldn't read too much into this.
David @ Sep 11th 2009 8:49PM
that's true, I had forgotten about those.
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 11th 2009 7:08PM
I absolutely LOVE Insomniac's art style with the RNC franchise. They consistently raise the bar with every release.
Austin (PSN: lparAgonl) MIA @ Sep 11th 2009 7:10PM
Mr. Yoon:
On a scale from 0 to 10 (0 being even less funny than Tools of Destruction, 10 being funnier than Up Your Arsenal) what would you rate Crack in Time in humor so far?
Thanks for a great article as always, Andrew.
Austin
tmacairjordan87 @ Sep 11th 2009 7:12PM
I'm actually starting to anticipate this more than Uncharted 2 as far as PS3 games I'm getting this year. Really interested to see how the space exploration is.
jahd5000 @ Sep 11th 2009 8:19PM
nice to see someone thinking the sameway, i was worried my opinion would be too absurd lol
Jesus (PSN: Luttdawg) @ Sep 11th 2009 10:17PM
Also agreeing.
koehler83 @ Sep 11th 2009 7:14PM
Not day one for me.. but ya know.. rent is due.
Probably week 2.
Longhorn Slim @ Sep 11th 2009 7:20PM
Still no multiplayer.....
kbye
Mr. Manly ESC Mcbeefington Ferguson The Second @ Sep 11th 2009 7:33PM
We are in a point time in which online modes are just unecesary,they add nothing to the experience in general and it is always the same.
Team deathmatch,free for all,capture the flag.
I don't have anything against Multiplayer modes but I would like DLC better,every game now has its own mode and when a bigger title is released everyone stops playing it.Look at Condemned 2 or The Darkness.
tmacairjordan87 @ Sep 11th 2009 7:37PM
No multiplayer makes it a guaranteed buy for me. What good does another tacked on deathmatch mode do for you?
Longhorn Slim @ Sep 11th 2009 7:40PM
it gives Insomniac my $60
tmacairjordan87 @ Sep 11th 2009 7:43PM
You're not satisfied with the million shooters that let you play shallow deathmatches endlessly?
Longhorn Slim @ Sep 11th 2009 7:43PM
can i least have co-op(aka its still multiplayer)
Space @ Sep 11th 2009 7:47PM
I won't be satisfied with MW2 until they add a bunch of platforming levels...
DeepFriedSushi @ Sep 12th 2009 5:46AM
kinda odd that you picked that aspect to focus on when your avatar is infamous which didnt have multiplayer either.
rnc sucks tho.
Solace @ Sep 11th 2009 7:21PM
I'll get this game at $40, I'm hoping they add on a free multiplayer mode.
Pat @ Sep 11th 2009 7:25PM
We have known this for a while but I have to say it: YEAH!!! THE SPHERICAL PLANETS ARE BACK!!! I loved those in Going Commando back in 2003.
koehler83 @ Sep 11th 2009 7:27PM
The ones that totally didn't influence Super Mario Galaxy, released 4 years later?
Pat @ Sep 11th 2009 8:10PM
Ha ha ha!!! Those same ones.
Mr. Manly ESC Mcbeefington Ferguson The Second @ Sep 11th 2009 7:28PM
I have 3 games on the PS3 that I can't stop playing Batman,InFamous and Tools of destruction.
This game will occupy most of time even more than ODST and Modern Warfare 2.
Jose @ Sep 11th 2009 7:29PM
New R&C? Put it in my veins. I was hoping to get a nice grip going with Episodes like the PSN Quest for Booty, but that never came to pass. So now, I eagerly anticipate the full title, with the Clank time puzzles threatening to be the best puzzle/side missions yet.
Agath @ Sep 11th 2009 7:35PM
You cheap guys saying, "o ill buy it for 40$," or " ill probably rent it," have obviously not played previous Ratchet and Clanks, and mp and RC dont work... play UYA, but anyway you would be a complete moron not to buy this game if you have a PS3
Leroy_Rocktopus needs a PS3 @ Sep 11th 2009 8:17PM
I think the biggest reason I'm excited about this is the return of Dr. Nefarious. AKA The Best Game Villian Ever.
jahd5000 @ Sep 11th 2009 8:26PM
guys, is it really worth to buy Tools of Destruction by now? i mean that would mean i will want to buy quest for booty, so that will mean ill spend at least $40-45 which im not sure on doing so. Why? :
well Ive never played a R&C game and i love new gameplays, but pleaying two game one after the other so i can play a THIRD one of the same style, i just wont let me appreciate it.
Same happended with MGS3 (played it on a rush so i could play 4th and even if it is rated as maybe the best i just didnt feel like)
HELP!
Ashitaka @ Sep 11th 2009 9:14PM
You should DEFINITELY buy Tools Of Destruction. It's an incredibly cool and funny game although it lacks some of the extras that made the PS2 games great (collectables like Gold Bolts and Skill Points). Still, you should buy it to be able to fully enjoy the A Crack In Time's story.
You don't need to buy the second game though. Basically, the only thing that Quest For Booty added to the story was by revealing that Dr. Nefarious had returned, and if you've seen the latest trailers then you already know that ;)
Leroy_Rocktopus needs a PS3 @ Sep 11th 2009 9:33PM
Ashitaka
Even though you were replying to jahd, you just reassured me that I won't miss out on any story by missing Quest for Booty (I won't be able to get my PS3 online. when I finally get one that is.) so thanks.
jahd
The solution is not to rush through Tools of Destruction. Take your time with it. That way you can appreciate the story more and possibly save money as A Crack in Time might be cheaper when you get around to buying it. It will still be the same game it will be on launch day that it will be after launch day, so there's no point in hurrying.
AerialAngel @ Sep 11th 2009 8:50PM
I neglected to buy the first RnC future due to no multiplayer. But i regret that now. Sure a crank in time doesnt have online multi but i can look past that now. I shouldnt miss any ratchet and clank games just because of no multi.
I will definitely buy Crank in time. I luv the stories, i luv the weapons, and i luv the games sense of humor. Multi online shouldn't discourage me from buying it. And it wont.
Ankur @ Sep 11th 2009 9:25PM
I definitely miss having a up to date playstation around the house when I see a game like ratchet and clank. There really isn't a platformer like this on the 360.
sc7 @ Sep 12th 2009 1:35AM
Indeed, this and Uncharted are the two games that really make me feel good about my PS3. There's no other HD platforming around this generation.
SLEDGE @ Sep 12th 2009 4:41AM
Haha, I'm so getting this.
I never played these games back on in the PS2 era, but I did buy TOS as one of my first PS3 games.
After that it really has grown on me :)