Format: PS3
Genre: Adventure
So then, the latest installment of what is most probably my favourite franchise. I’ve waited so long for this game, (I flat out refused to pay a tenner for Quest for the Booty) that when it came through my front door, I swear a little bit of pee may have escaped.
Ripping off the plastic wrap from the case, I fondly recalled the hours I’ve spent with a furry cat-like creature and his alloyed side-kick. Is it the eye candy of the worlds or perhaps the innuendo and Crotchetizer humour? I don’t know but I’m hooked.
The common theme amongst all R&C games are gorgeous visuals, good comedic value and ridiculous weaponry (Sheepinator anyone?) and Crack in Time has this in spades. Because of this, I’m pained to admit I was rather put off by the first world you visit with Ratchet,
Don’t get me wrong, the graphics are beautiful but honestly, Fongoids? Shmongoids more like. For whatever reason, Insomniac decided to include these characters that have the appeal and likeability of Gonorrhoea. Their “funny” accents and looks that seem loosely based on Sid from Ice Age grated on my nerves to the point that I wanted to force the controller into my eyes and ears to stop the torture.
But persevere I told myself and persevere I did and boy, am I glad I did. After a thankfully short spell on this planet you are thrust headlong into a galaxy packed full of wonderful Ratchet & Clankness.
You spend a good chunk of the game as either Ratchet or Clank as the dynamic duo have been torn apart by the brilliantly nefarious Dr. errr Nefarious.
Clank has definitely come into his own in this game and really feels like an actual character instead of a pair of sarcastic wings. His story unfolds and you gain new abilities that are quite fun to master. I must say I felt quite clever after working the Temporal Recordings puzzles.
What of the ridiculous weaponry I hear you cry? Well, it’s there, but it’s not the best I’ve seen in the series. That said, Fred the creature who is summoned by the Rift Inducer brought endless smiles and smug satisfaction but seriously, when will the developers realise that the Sixaxis function for the Dynamo of Doom is crap? Sorry I can’t give a more succinct critique of the weapon but it is just CRAP.
Of course, the all-time favoured weapon of choice is still the RYNO V. Rip You A New One? Be better to say “force-feed you Rohypnol and anally violate you” but FFYPANV isn’t quite as catchy I suppose.
I did find the game to be a bit buggy, getting trapped between rocks or inside trees and the like to the point that you have to restart the entire system. The load screens are waaaaaay to looooooong (see what I did there?) but they have at least tried to compensate for this by putting in factoids that at least divert you from boredom for a few seconds. I also felt that the game was too short but then, “leave them wanting more” seems to be the norm these days.
All in all, I’ve really enjoyed the playing experience and have had many a moment of “just one more level, oh crap, it’s 4am” but I think this should be a prerequisite of any good game. The majority of characters are developed well and believable in an unbelievable way and the gameplay itself is engaging. The controls are responsive and easy to get to grips with and there are a ton of extras and skill points to ensure that you are sat on your bum for hours on end.
9/10
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