Sly Cooper is back! After an HD remake of the first three installments and a cameo in "All-Stars Battle Royale," the lovable raccoon and his team have finally made the leap to the next generation with the first truly new PS3 title, "Hunt Through Time," proving "better late than never." But it's not just the story that's set in the past; the gameplay and graphics also hark back to the era, a rarity these days. Can this 3D platformer still hold its own in today's digital age?
The new title picks up almost seamlessly where its predecessor left off. Sly, Murray, and Bentley had actually retired from the criminal life, but then Bentley suddenly notices that numerous pages from the "Book of Master Thieves" are vanishing without a trace before his very eyes. Someone seems to be tampering with history and trying to wipe out the Cooper clan! Naturally, Sly can't let that happen, so he reunites his old team. With Murray's van converted into a time machine, the three embark on a new adventure, traveling to many different locations, such as Japan and England, where they encounter Sly's legendary ancestors.
Always easy to do…
As in previous installments, each of the three team members possesses their own strengths. Sly moves nimbly across rooftops and wire ropes while robbing enemies with his staff, while Bentley, the brains of the operation, manages the security systems, and Murray is the heavy lifting specialist. A particular highlight is the numerous minigames that emerge during Bentley's hacking missions. Sometimes you have to fly around in a kind of 2D shooter to crack the firewall, other times you have to carefully balance a ball through a maze, and much more. The game utilizes the six-axis controls, a feature rarely seen since the introduction of the PS3. These controls are well integrated into the gameplay, enhancing both the enjoyment and the variety of the experience.
But Bentley isn't the only one known for its minigames. We're constantly presented with tiny tasks and puzzles, such as completing a dance challenge with Murray in the style of "Parrapa the Rapper" or triggering a chain reaction with a ball. These diverse tasks provide a constant stream of new experiences and impressions, ensuring the game never gets boring.
Another unique feature is Sly's ancestors. In various sections, you have the opportunity to step into their shoes. Each of them possesses their own special abilities, such as super jumps, special weapons, or other attributes. New costumes, acquired throughout the levels, and new abilities, purchased with stolen money, further enhance Sly's criminal activities.
The open game world allows players to delve deeper into each level, uncovering treasures and discovering fun features. Furthermore, the game world can be freely explored, and players can even travel back and forth in time. It's a truly brilliant idea the developers have come up with! The intuitive controls are a real plus, allowing for a quick and easy entry into the game.
All in all, the gameplay is truly excellent. It's very varied, constantly presents new challenges, and never gets boring. The only downsides are the relatively long loading times and the somewhat bland German voice acting. Additionally, the enemies don't seem particularly intelligent, which makes the game a bit too easy at times. However, this doesn't detract from the enjoyment at all; in fact, it might even make it a good choice for PlayStation newcomers.
Visually, it's a journey back in time...
Not only in terms of story, but also graphically, the new Cooper title is a trip down memory lane. The graphics are reminiscent of the classic PS2 era, which spawned legendary titles like Ratchet & Clank and Crash Bandicoot. The visuals are consistently comic-book style, skillfully enhanced with details, lighting, and shadows. Humorous little touches are subtly integrated into the game world, making it worthwhile to play more than once and explore the open world in greater detail. The entire experience is underscored by music that is perfectly suited to each level. These classic elements, which are sadly becoming increasingly rare in an era of overly realistic graphics (FIFA, CoD), stand out from the crowd with remarkable success. The graphics work in perfect symbiosis with the classic gameplay, transporting the player back to the good old days. Especially die-hard first-generation gamers will enjoy exploring the levels. One can easily overlook the occasional poorly implemented camera and slightly blurry textures.
Cross Gaming…
Those who opt to buy the PS3 disc version will once again enjoy cross-gaming. This means: "Buy the PS3 version, play it on both PS3 and Vita." Game saves are synchronized, allowing you to pick up right where you left off at home. Sly 4 also includes an augmented reality feature: By holding the PS Vita up to the running game on the PS3, hidden objects can be discovered. It's a great idea to actively integrate the PS Vita, and the principle is somewhat reminiscent of the Wii U.
