The story in the game apparently picks up where the last game ended, with Clank being kidnapped and Ratchet trying to find him. Clank was transported to the Great Clock at the center of the universe as its new guardian, but is soon tailed by the antagonist from the first Ratchet and Clank, Dr. Nefarious. Dr. Nefarious wants the Great Clock because of its time travel potential, and Ratchet and Clank must stop him while trying to reunite.
The narrative flows nicely throughout the game and, while not offering jarring twists, is perfectly serviceable. The game ties in alot from the past Ratchet and Clank games, although not to the exclusion of newcomers. I hadn't played a Ratchet and Clank game in the past, and the game was still comprehensible. The game's sense of humor isn't for everyone (a bit too kiddy for me) but it's easily ignored once you concentrate on the action.
The gameplay itself is solid for the most part, offering a platformer that's heavy on the shooting. Most of the game is spent as Ratchet, who has a pretty extensive arsenal that ranges from defensive options (the lightning charged Tesla Spikes) to traps (the ice Cryomine and dance-inducing Groove-a-tron) to straight up blasters (the aptly named Negotiator). The range of weapons and the fact that each one levels up independently based on its use encourages the frequent changed of weapons, not necessarily to fit the situation, but to eliminate the enemies and max out the power of your weapons. It's a system that works, and it's nice to see a game that succeeds in offering a variety of useful weapons yet does not force you to use particular weapon on certain enemies. One minor complaint concerns the design of the required Ratchet levels . These are often small, linear environments that seem to offer branching paths, but really do not. This illusion of freedom ends up adding a slight feeling of constriction to these levels. Of note is also the relatively short playtime. The main story of the game can be completed within 6-8 hours, although there are plenty of optional items to find as well as a coliseum to pad out the game.
The sound in the game fits the atmosphere well with musical themes that would fit nicely in a 1970s space serial. The sound effects can get somewhat redundant, particularly the Mr. Zurkon robot weapon which sporadically spouts phrases. At first these are fine, but they begin to wear on you, especially since this is one of the first weapons you receive in the game. Overall, it does not detract terribly from the game, however, but rather proves a minor annoyance.
The visuals are where the game really stands out, as RaCF: ACiT is one of the best looking games out right now. The art direction itself is terrific, with subtle touches such as space battles occurring off in the distance when on one of the many moon missions. There is not a bland texture in sight in this game, and Insomiac really deserves some credit for their work here. Of particular note are the mnemonic chambers, which basically act as tutorials for the Clank portions of the game. These feature a sterile white environment with platforms that rise to meet Clank's feet, and look simply outstanding.
Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time will no doubt end up selling well overall, as it looks appealing to parents who need a game for their kids. However, the game is much more than parent fodder, however, offering up some of the best graphics that this generation has to offer while featuring gameplay that, while not overly deep, is fun throughout the short main story.
Overall: 8.2 out of 10
Recommended price to pay for this game: $30
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