I’ve been a Ratchet and Clank fan since the series’ inception back on the PS2. Insomniac has always brought solid platforming and humor to the games, with A Crack in Time being the most polished Ratchet and Clank game to date. It doesn’t break any new ground, but it certainly gets every part right.

A Crack in Time picks up right where A Quest for Booty leaves off, with Ratchet searching the galaxy for Clank who has been captured by the evil Dr. Nefarious. You’ll play sections of A Crack in Time as each of the game’s protagonists, with Ratchet’s sections being more shooting/platforming and Clank’s sections being more puzzle solving with platforming. A myriad of new weapons are at your disposal that can all be upgraded as you use them, and new Constructo weapons can be customized to your liking with new triggers, ammo types and paint schemes, giving a nice level of personalization to the game. Clank can how control time in his sections of the game, bringing a nice twist to puzzle solving. It’s a blast having four or five Clanks running around the screen each playing a part in solving a puzzle.

While Insomniac put a great level of polish on A Crack in Time, not much was added that you haven’t seen before in previous “Future” series games on the PS3. That isn’t to say you won’t have fun with this game, because you certainly will. I just would have liked to see some more new gameplay elements added into the mix. There really aren’t any big issues with the game, which is good to see.

If you like shooting things, platforming, puzzle solving, laughing, and having a blast playing a game, definitely give Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time a look. It took me a little over 12 hours to get through the game the first time, after which you can play through Challenge Mode with all of your unlocked weapons, so there’s plenty to do after you finish the game if you’re so inclined. The game is definitely worth playing for PS3 owners, whether you’re a newbie or series veteran.

[A copy of the game was provided by the publisher for review purposes.]