Ratchet and Clank A Crack In Time (PS3)

Gamecow’s Price	RRP $49.95     Save $5.00 $44.95
Availability
Genre	Action Adventure
Platform	Playstation 3
Release Date	05/11/2009
Rated

Ratchet and Clank A Crack In Time (PS3) Product Information

Concluding the events set into motion by Ratchet & Clank® Future: Tools of Destruction, Ratchet & Clank® Future: A Crack in Time will at long last answer some of the franchise fans’ largest questions.

After discovering that Clank’s disappearance was engineered by Dr. Nefarious, Ratchet races to rescue his best friend. Unfortunately, he discovers that Clank’s capture is just the beginning of Nefarious’s latest diabolical plot. In this follow-up to the best-selling series, Ratchet & Clank® Future: A Crack in Time puts players into the role of both Ratchet and Clank as they attempt to reunite and save the universe. Along the way, both will finally uncover the hidden truth behind their origins, and discover their ultimate destinies. As the duo come closer to reuniting, they’ll have to ask themselves the biggest question of all: Do Ratchet and Clank’s destinies lie with each other? Or is it finally time for the universe’s greatest duo to separate for good?

Powered by Insomniac Games’ fourth-generation PLAYSTATION®3 technology, A Crack in Time will continue to bring the experience of playing your own CG-animated movie to the PS3. Players will use new gadgets such as Ratchet’s Hoverboots to explore levels and can take off in Ratchet’s ship to discover nearby moons and planets. Clank will use new abilities to manipulate time to try and stop Dr. Nefarious.

Features:

• An original new adventure and story that answers many of fans’ most-asked questions and wraps up the story arc that started in Ratchet & Clank® Future: Tools of Destruction and Ratchet & Clank® Future: Quest For Booty.
• Non-linear levels with plenty of hidden areas to explore, and new gadgets like the Hoverboots that let Ratchet soar to new heights.
  All-new Clank gameplay and special “Time” abilities that bring new meaning to “past selves”.
• The series’ renowned arsenal gets even larger with brand new weapons, as well as weapons that players can customize with various modifications.
• New space gameplay that gives players the opportunity to engage in space battles, explore the surrounding star system, and discover hidden items and collectables.

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Ratchet and Clank A Crack In Time (PS3) Review

The Ratchet and Clank series harks back to a time where many platforming games successfully appealed to both kids and adults alike. It was a time before every second lead character had to be a brooding and complicated chap taking themselves far too seriously. A sub-genre of the platformer was the 'buddy' platformer - where two likable and very different cartoon characters would be put together and then sent through a series of pun-filled platforming levels against all manner of wacky enemies. Good times would inevitably follow.

With the release of the latest - and perhaps last - Ratchet and Clank adventure for the PlayStation 3, we are reminded about how few of these games there are now, with its peers either changing tact away from their platforming roots (Banoo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts), or being relegated to handheld spin-offs (Daxter, Jak and Daxter The Lost Frontier). Yet the Ratchet and Clank series has retained its appeal and presence on the current generation of consoles despite the 'maturing' of the game industry. The series has now given birth to eight titles since 2002 (eight and a half if you count the four-hour episode, Quest for Booty). However, the latest instalment, A Crack in Time could also be the last for the series, so it was with both excitement and sadness that we loaded up the disc.

All-in-all, A Crack in Time is a ridiculously cute and likable game with a load of energy and fun gameplay, despite the odd frustration that is intrinsic in the platforming genre, such as falling to your death every ten minutes. At the same time, there is a also pretty deep and evolving story, some frenetic action, challenging puzzles, and some RPG elements to keep things interesting. But truth be told, we are actually hoping that this will be the last game in the series. After all, nine games over seven years is quite a lot, and the gameplay is starting to feel a tad repetitive despite the odd new addition to the gameplay. If this is indeed the last Ratchet and Clank game, we salute you Insomnia on a great series. Thanks for the good times and for reminding us that a great game that adults can enjoy doesn't necessarily have to star a gruff and bloodthirsty lead character out for revenge.

Full review PALGN