Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

Review from Anna - Sunday, 14 March 2010 @ 9:07pm

I've spent a long time thinking about this review. In fact, so long that I've actually been poked about it by Matt. Now that means something. It all started quite innocently. It was a surprise package to come in the mail and one I was not expecting. But that's the nature of surprises...

Now, I'm no inexperienced young padawan here. I've mingled with these sorts of platformers before. I've even got the game preceding this one. Though, I admit I haven't played past the first chapter. So, in beginning this sequel, I realised early on that I was missing something of the plot. But not enough that made me want to go back to the earlier game to find out exactly what it was. A Crack in Time makes the mistake of explaining just enough that it gets new players in and old players familiar. I was neither. Really, it should have made me want to go back and find out what I'd missed. But I didn't feel like I missed anything. Perhaps with further introductions I would be incensed with excitations and the thrill of discovering a new franchise.

Character design is a standout of the series

By new, I mean new for me, I'm certain there are many gamers out there familiar with the Ratchet and Clank series. Indeed, they are rather well liked by many. It is considered a successful franchise and manages to straddle a line between those that associate themselves as gamers and the other group, the ones that like to play games every now and then. I can see why. It has endearing characters, engaging storylines, decent mechanics and straightforward level design. I have to say, I've enjoyed this game more than other modern platformers I've encountered over the past few years. But I can't say I like them. Maybe I've grown out of them. Did I ever really enjoy them? There's something frustrating in how linear they are by design. I feel hampered in by the way the game forces you to continuously move forward stage by stage. I must be spoiled by the new batch of games or something as it's never bugged me before like this. But constantly, I'd find myself looking for alternate ways of moving around the stage and I'd only be able follow the path that had been clearly set out for me.

Right! Graphics are quite impressive - smooth with textures that don't jump around as you move closer to them. From what I could tell, most of the cutscenes were in-game which I've found to be more impressive the more I see them appear. Colours were vibrant - which is handy for keeping the attention of the little ones that will no doubt enjoy this game. I guess I had higher expectation for it because of the reputation of the series for satisfying a range of audiences. I was expecting to be satisfied and I wasn't so maybe there's a greater disappointment than there should be here. There isn't much else that stood out for me from the graphics. It was standard fare for a cartoony platformer and while credit where credit is due - it was done well.. it didn't stand out anymore than it should.

Ratchet and Clank's levels are bright and colourful

The soundtrack works well and has the considerable advantage of a franchise's familiar score to build upon. The voice acting in it is also superb and blends well even if the animations don't always match what's been said very well. Listening carefully, you'll hear Nathan Drake (Uncharted) voicing Sigmund, Andrew Ryan (Bioshock) in Dr Nefarious and Obi Wan Kenobi (Clone Wars series) is Ratchet himself! I've never been one to pay attention to voice actors but in this game, I'd find myself pausing for a moment, trying to place the voice, where I'd heard them before. It's something this game has got me doing lately, and I'm glad for it. Soon enough (hopefully) voice actors in games will be as famous as their Hollywood counterparts and be considered as important as any other aspect in the game, and not just a throwaway effort at some point in the production cycle, never to be heard from again.

Ratchet makes friends and influences people

It's very much run and gun game play, with little time to slow down and take in the beautiful scenery that the team at Insomniac have worked so hard to achieve. Sometimes it gets to that rushed feeling - which I hate because there is nothing more frustrating than having a countdown timer and a puzzle that requires you to get it right the first time or suffer repeating the level until you can get it right. Puzzles are all well and good, but I hate, hate, hate being rushed through a game. I paid for it, and I want to milk every last drop of enjoyment from it. Giving me five minutes to clear a section is severely reducing the time I have with the game.

Clank provides many of the complex time-puzzles

The storyline keeps you going and is entertaining enough that I don't have anything to complain about it. It's been well developed and the support from the game's brilliant sound and design only enhance a very well put together plot. There's a really good twist at the end that I sort of saw coming... but enjoyed anyway. Not that this is a plot-driven game. If anything, it's very much character-driven with the plot merely a crutch to get them to the next bit of witty conversation and expected reveals. I would expect those who are well acquainted with the franchise would appreciate this more than I - but even so I could see the quality.

I have a lot to nitpick with this game - and for a lot of other people, they won't even notice these issues. I guess it's mainly because it's taking time away from games I would prefer playing - like Dragon Age. These games are not really my thing, but I have to admit that there is some high quality work at play here. That's what got me - there aren't many games that ship with this amount of polish. I didn't encounter any bugs, clipping issues or anything! It's sad that I was so surprised with that - admittedly though, looking online later there was a patch to fix up a few bugs I hadn't come across. So all in all, quality is really what lifts this tried and true franchise out of a tired genre - though those who have not yet given up on action platformers and still enjoy the Ratchet and Clank games will find little to fault.

Pros

Highly polished. Brilliant visuals. High quality voice acting.

Cons

Annoying, timed puzzles. Some dodgy camera angles that I've come to expect with every single modern platformer.