Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time

Vorlage:Infobox VG Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time in most PAL regions) is an upcoming platform-shooter video game in development by Insomniac Games and to be published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is the sequel to Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and also Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty and is the conclusion of the franchise. The game is scheduled for release on PlayStation 3 in North America on October 27, 2009. The release dates for the rest of the world are believed to be October 30, 2009: That is not yet confirmed.

Gameplay

A Crack in Time will feature new gameplay mechanics, such as time travel and time manipulation. One such mechanic involves a staff that Clank will carry that activates time pods; once activated, these will record a minute of actions, and then will be replayed, allowing a recorded version of Clank to step on a switch to activate a door for the real version. Up to four copies of Clank can be made in this manner to solve puzzles. There will also be a much larger emphasis on space combat and exploration than the previous titles in the series. Instead of travelling straight from one planet to the next, the player is exposed to an "open-world" space, with freedom to go where they wish. There are several moons you can land on for side missions, such as shooting and platforming, and these offer Zoni and gold bolts for rewards. The more the player explores these moons/planets, the more powerful Ratchet becomes. Among various new gadgets available in this game are the hoverboots, which are designed to provide an efficient means of quick transportation though levels and at the same time "fill in" for Clank by including some of the controls the player is used to from when Clank was on Ratchet's back, such as hovering down.

Plot

The story of the game continues from where Quest for Booty left off, and will follow Ratchet continuing his search for Clank, who was kidnapped by the mysterious Zoni at the end of Tools of Destruction. Ratchet discovers that Clank's kidnapping was engineered by Doctor Nefarious, the main antagonist of Up Your Arsenal, and sets out to rescue him. It is hinted at in the second trailer that Dr. Nefarious might be trying to control time. Also, in Tools of Destruction, Clank says that the Zoni can travel though time, which might suggest that they are being used by or are in league with Dr. Nefarious. Another Lombax also plays a large part in the plot, named Alister Azimuth.

Development

The title and logo of the game, along with a trailer were revealed at the 2009 Game Developers Conference. The trailer showed a narration about time and revealed a new Lombax character. This Lombax, who has gray/silver and red fur as opposed to Ratchet's brown and tan coloration, is shown holding a watch, which contains an image of himself with a Lombax who looks similar to Ratchet. It was announced on GameTrailers pre-E3 2009 special that the new character's name is General Alister Azimuth. His name apparently relates to the Court of Azimuth in the Lombaxes' homeworld seen in Tools of Destruction. He holds what appears to be a staff with wrench "heads" on either end, and uses it similar to Ratchet's wrench. He can be seen using it to smash a glass skylight in the third trailer. There is a possibility that Clank is inside Azimuth's watch, hinted at in the third trailer.

The PlayStation Blog later announced that a design contest for a weapon would be run until April 10, with the winning design being featured as a usable weapon in the game, as well as a real-life replica being made for the winner and a trip to Comic-Con for the weapon's unveiling to the public. The winning design was the "Spiral Of Death", a weapon that shoots glowing sawblades that after a certain range, return to the user, somewhat like a yo-yo. Action figures were also announced for the game. They are scheduled to be released on October 27th, 2009.

Marketing

In July 2009 Sony announced that players who pre-order the game from selected retailers in North America will be able to unlock one of four additional in-game content packs. The Discovery Package unlocks an additional level that resembles the Insomniac Games studios. The Bolt Package unlocks two additional weapons and gives the player 5,000 bolts (one of the in-game currencies). The Space Package unlocks a new spaceship skin, a PlayStation Home costume and 5,000 bolts and the Power Package unlocks extra health, the Cryo-Mine Glove and weapon skin. It has been confirmed though, the package will simply unlock the items earlier in the game - the player can still earn these items while playing. A collectors edition has been announced for Europe, it will feature an art book for the game, a different cover, and the discovery pre-order package.

External links

• Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time mini-site on PlayStation.com
• Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time on the Ratchet & Clank wiki