(Single Player, Hard, Challenge Mode)
Sometimes you come across a game so great that you can hardly describe exactly is so great about it, you know that the entire time you played you were elevated to a whole new plane of ecstasy and once you are finally allowed to come down articulating just what in particular pleased you so thoroughly is a difficult task. A Crack in Time is such a game and needs to be played by any fan of the series or any unprejudiced person who won't immediately write it of as a child's game.
Flaws
- Major Leaves you fiending for more intergalactic adventures.
Strengths
- Major Manages to expand on one of the most unique and exceptional settings in the history of video games by adding an assortment of lovable new characters, races, planets, and general lore that drags you completely through the wormhole that leads to Ratchet & Clank dimension.
- Major Charming is a word eternally associated with the series and this game continues that tradition not just by adding some new jokes, but continuing the perfect embodiment of each character, effortlessly weaving humor into dialogue without a hint of strain, and subtly keeping up the lightheartedness in every aspect of the games world.
- Major Brings a level of maturity and genuine emotion to the plot without compromising the playfulness of the game, and making you that much more invested into the plot and the well being of characters. Story never really has any "OH MY GOD" moments, but it is so magnificently told that it does not need stupefying twists to keep the player captivated.
- Major I don't recall ever seeing an art style so inspired and breathtaking, even without its top notch graphics A Crack in Time is an artistic milestone that is a delight to gaze upon.
- Major Every sound is perfectly done, the voice acting is just as good if not better than any other piece of media ever, the musical score doesn't stand out because it blends so well with the game and if it were to vanish it would not feel like the same game, and every sound effect makes every action you perform seem that much cooler.
- Major Some of the most satisfying weapons I've ever had the pleasure to use, each is so strong that once you experiment with each the game feels like a whole new experience. New Constructo weapons are a blast to experiment with. and despite its failings at a range the RYNO V has cemented it's position as my favorite weapon of all time.
- Major The combat continues it's addictive and outrageously fun formula, and the platforming and puzzle solving takes a new twist due to the the separation of Ratchet & Clank. Ratchet keeps the tether from Quest for Booty and also receives the charges boots while Clank has new powers available to him because of his new position as Temporal Caretaker allowing him to manipulate time to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles and fix time rifts on planets; these additions make level traversal even more enjoyable and exciting than what you've already come to expect from a R&C game.
- Major Space exploration is simply astonishing and finally makes it feel like you are steering the wheel of Ratchet & Clan's adventures. Side objectives and moons across the sectors add a level of freedom never before seen never seen before in the series and makes you feel more immersed in the universe than ever before in the series, and on top of that radio, news updates, and more further make you feel as though you are a denizen of the galaxy. Space combat is another fun distraction and the the arena may be better then the annihilation nation of old.
- Major Amassing gobs of experience, bolts, and collectibles is just as addicting as ever while the return of holo plans and new additions of Zoni and Constructo mods add a more practical incentive to explore every nook and cranny. Challenge mode keeps you coming back for more, but the chance to face off against Lord Vorselon compels you to hold off and find those last few Zoni.
If you own a PS3 and can get over the preconceptions the E rating brings buy A Crack in Time, if you don't have the money or are still skeptical at least rent or borrow it this game is a gift to the world that every person should be able to enjoy.