For every randomly evolved life form on the planet that is familiar with videogames will of no doubt heard of Ratchet and Clank. There has been at least seven games that I’m aware of that star either character and for it to still have legs can only be taken as proof that Insomniac know how to make great games and loveable characters.

It should be no surprise that not only is Ratchet and Clank: A Crack In Time a fantastic game in its own right, but that it’s the best game in the entire series to date.

Now at this point the in the review I usually give a brief outline of the story but to tell you the truth I have no idea what the hell is going on…and I’ve played just about every single Ratchet and Clank released! Something about being the only Lombax, another thing about a cosmic clock and some weird little alien guys...Ratchet and Clank might have an epic storyline going and fans will probably lap it up but to me what comes first with this game is just how entertaining and wholesome the gameplay is.

While this is the sort of game that your kids would have a blast playing, don’t go thinking that this isn’t for the more mature gamer.  You would think that after so many games the formula would go stale, which might be the case with other series, but in R&C the innovation, is always on hand and this time around it’s all about time manipulation.   Time is twisted, stretched and bent and with the core fighting, puzzle and platforming all working around this distinctive mechanic you can be rest assured that A Crack in Time is more than just another throw-away addition to the series.

For the most part, Ratchet and Clank both seem to follow their own story lines in this game so directly teaming up won’t play a huge part in the overall picture, it all works out very indirectly, luckily each character’s own story and conclusions are so different from each other and with both being created with such a focused intensity, you’ll be more than happy to switch up between the both of them.  Ratchet is more about the action and the weapons, while Clank’s levels focus more on time ‘Braid’-like puzzles and progression. 

Now I’m not entirely sure if I can describe this without losing you, I can hardly get my head around it without confusing myself, but Clank is able to record past and present versions of himself that run all in real time in order to create a super-mind that is used to help Ratchet progress further on his missions…I think I made sense.  Trust me, when you’re playing it will make more sense, just remember to bring your time paradox thinking cap, because as the game progresses, so too does the challenges. 

On the Ratchet side of things, slices of time rudely protrude through the levels showing past, future and present versions of itself.  Depending on what sliver of time Ratchet is navigating through will largely depend on what type of platform or weapon he is going to use.  There are plenty of new weapons, gadgets, crazy characters that will make you laugh by their bizarre antics and at the heart of it all is a game that is a shining example of the best level design that the industry has to offer.  Whatever group of people came up with some of the ideas in this game, they need a pay rise.  The weapons are the most unique collection of boomsticks I’ve yet to come across (rivalling Oddworld Strangers Wrath) and firing them and finding out their unique nuances is half of the fun. 

The one let down is that I found the space sequences to be a bit out of character with how the rest of the game plays.  It’s fairly easy all the way through these sections and they really feel like filler sometimes.  Mind you with the payoff being another set of great planets and puzzles to explore, you really won’t mind having to put up with a couple of minutes of something lesser because you know that another great sequence is just around the corner.

Did I happen to mention that this game is a stunner?  Up and away this is the best looking of the bunch.  Beautiful colours, original character design and lovely detail all lend to the quirky and ridiculous nature of this game.  On a top of the line HD tele, the visuals will make you drool.  The animations are charming and Ratchet is by far one of the cutest superheros ever.

I loved this game.  It made me thrilled about Ratchet and Clank again, it still suffers from a narrative that you might not get too excited about, but the gameplay itself is just so much fun to go through and at the end of the day that’s what it’s all about.  I can’t wait till my son gets a bit older and we can play through games like this one together. 

I want DLC; I want more Ratchet and Clank Insomniac gaming development gods, because there is more than enough life in this long running series yet.  If it ain’t broke, keep innovating!