Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (PlayStation 3)

Aside from some new weapons and puzzles and the fresh story in which they find themselves, not much has changed with Ratchet and Clank since last we saw them. But that’s not really a complaint. As usual, this cat and robot duo are starring an accessible and compelling mixture of platform-style play, clever puzzles, and spectacular action that’s been wrapped up in several layers of broad, good-natured humor.

The best parts take place planet-side, as Ratchet explores new worlds and puts his massive arsenal to work in interesting ways against a seemingly never-ending stream of baddies. A close second are the puzzles Clank takes on. Trying to work out how to get multiple Clanks in different time streams working together can be challenging, but it’s highly satisfying when you finally manage it. The weakest parts of the game take place in space when Ratchet battles enemy ships. These missions are just too simple and arcade-y to fit with the rest of the game. Thankfully, many of them are optional, and those that aren’t are fairly short and well worth working through to experience the rest of this great game.