There are a few other gameplay twists but I want to put special focus on the new "time pad" puzzle system. While running around The Great Clock as Clank in certain segments of the game, you'll encounter areas that require you to simultaneously hold down a number of buttons to get through. Since there's only one of you, this is accomplished by using time pads to create multiple recorded copies of yourself. An example solution would be to go onto the first pad, hit the "record" button, and (while recording) move into position to lower an elevator necessary to advance. You then go onto the second time pad, initiate recording again (which plays back the first recording in tandem), and use the actions of your other "self" to get on top of the lift. The aspect of psuedo-cooperative play that the time pad puzzles add to the game is an incredible novelty unto itself, and it's surprisingly satisfying when you finally solve the more complex variants of these puzzles, which require several different time pads to be used at once in order to achieve the desired objective. The only disappointment is that there aren't more of these sequences present, and it's all too soon that you're back to doing more of the same old jumping puzzles again.

Which isn't to say the game is boring; I had jolly good fun romping around the game's various environments finding hidden items and embarking on the various challenges, but seeing challenges and puzzles that are truly 'new' doesn't come often enough.

The graphics definitely hold their own with some fancy glow effects augmenting Ratchet's new armor, and some top notch art direction and animation work providing life to the game's various characters. The engine runs solid on the PS3 and I didn't really observe any issues running in 1080p, aside from some occasional strange aliasing issues that seemed to occur on distant textures and special effects which made them appear much blurrier than usual. Sadly there is a complete lack of any multiplayer functionality, but score enthusiasts will enjoy raking in the various trophies the game has to offer.

Sameness aside, I love the hell out of A Crack In Time. Upon getting my copy, I promptly blew the next 36 hours playing it until I had upgraded every weapon, collected every loose screw, nut, and bolt (literally) in the game and fought my way to the secret 'bonus' boss fight. I sat on the edge of my chair for each cutscene, waiting for the next dramatic twist or hilarious comment from Captain Qwark, and upon beating the game, I even entertained the notion to immediately go back and plow through it a second time on the "Challenge" difficulty mode. That’s about as solid a recommendation as you can get.