Was Lord Vorselon actually Ratchet's Father's accountant? I'm legitimately curious.
The third time was the charm for the R&C Future games, because this one is great. Having been pretty underwhelmed with the previous two for their underwhelming gun selections, lack on interesting platforming sections, and gimmicky six-axis controls; I was delighted to dive back in to A Crack in Time: A game that fixed all of those problems among others.
The selection of guns in this game is the best since Up Your Arsenal, the platforming challenges are varied and compelling, the puzzles are numerous and add welcome variety and depth to the gameplay, and the hover-boots make traversal quick and seamless. If sheer gameplay were the only factor, this one would be my favorite.
The story, despite a few problems, is still better told and better paced than the average R&C game. Dr. Nefarious is funny as always and adds welcome levity to the narrative, the tone is more mature and emotionally resonant than any other game to date, it addresses a few plot holes from Tools of Destruction , and it has easily one of the best characters in the series: his backstory is tragic, his methods are extreme but understandable, he has a good design and excellent vocal performance, and his relationship with Ratchet is really strong. I'm sad that this game was his only appearance. Honestly, Crack in Time is such a strong package that I was ready to give it a nine out of ten and say it was tied for my favorite in the series. but...
The two worst things out of any Future game are in this game, and they both relate to the story. I can't even attempt to discus them without going into spoilers, so stop reading here unless you've played the game.
Problem 1) The Plot Hole: literally the only rule regarding the Great Clock is 'don't use it as a time machine'. They do that three times. They say you can't use it to open a rift to stop a genocidal lunatic years ago and save the Lombaxes, which is weird because they used it to open a rift to stop a genocidal lunatic years ago to save the Fongoids. Azimuth was completely right and this plot development makes his sacrifice seem pointless.
Problem 2) The Ending: The whole point of the game was about accepting that things change and you can't always fix or stop them. Ratchet and Clank spent the entire game learning to be independent from each other and make the universe a better place in their own way. The ending throws all that out and has Clank shrug off his responsibility in the Great Clock just so the game can be left open to a sequel. Honestly, if the ending were better, I would have said this was a good note to end the series on, but this ending makes the entire Future Trilogy feel pointless, and it makes me hesitant when I'm thinking of popping this game in.
Crack in Time may have tripped at the finish line, but I still loved it at least 80% of the time, and I'll still happily recommend. It may not be a perfect game, but it's a damn good one.
The third time was the charm for the R&C Future games, because this one is great. Having been pretty underwhelmed with the previous two for their underwhelming gun selections, lack on interesting platforming sections, and gimmicky six-axis controls; I was delighted to dive back in to A Crack in Time: A game that fixed all of those problems among others.
The selection of guns in this game is the best since Up Your Arsenal, the platforming challenges are varied and compelling, the puzzles are numerous and add welcome variety and depth to the gameplay, and the hover-boots make traversal quick and seamless. If sheer gameplay were the only factor, this one would be my favorite.
The story, despite a few problems, is still better told and better paced than the average R&C game. Dr. Nefarious is funny as always and adds welcome levity to the narrative, the tone is more mature and emotionally resonant than any other game to date, it addresses a few plot holes from Tools of Destruction , and it has easily one of the best characters in the series: his backstory is tragic, his methods are extreme but understandable, he has a good design and excellent vocal performance, and his relationship with Ratchet is really strong. I'm sad that this game was his only appearance. Honestly, Crack in Time is such a strong package that I was ready to give it a nine out of ten and say it was tied for my favorite in the series. but...
The two worst things out of any Future game are in this game, and they both relate to the story. I can't even attempt to discus them without going into spoilers, so stop reading here unless you've played the game.
Problem 1) The Plot Hole: literally the only rule regarding the Great Clock is 'don't use it as a time machine'. They do that three times. They say you can't use it to open a rift to stop a genocidal lunatic years ago and save the Lombaxes, which is weird because they used it to open a rift to stop a genocidal lunatic years ago to save the Fongoids. Azimuth was completely right and this plot development makes his sacrifice seem pointless.
Problem 2) The Ending: The whole point of the game was about accepting that things change and you can't always fix or stop them. Ratchet and Clank spent the entire game learning to be independent from each other and make the universe a better place in their own way. The ending throws all that out and has Clank shrug off his responsibility in the Great Clock just so the game can be left open to a sequel. Honestly, if the ending were better, I would have said this was a good note to end the series on, but this ending makes the entire Future Trilogy feel pointless, and it makes me hesitant when I'm thinking of popping this game in.
Crack in Time may have tripped at the finish line, but I still loved it at least 80% of the time, and I'll still happily recommend. It may not be a perfect game, but it's a damn good one.