Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time

In another, earlier era - say, roughly ten years ago - it's easy to imagine that Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time would be a blockbuster. It's the whole package: gorgeous graphics, excellent design, charming characters, lengthy quest. Today, it's a different story. The entire 3D action/platforming genre has fallen out of fashion, but make no mistake: great games are timeless, and Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time is a great game that comes highly recommended. Let's hope we don't have to wait another eight years for the next installment.

Who the heck is Sly Cooper? These were the words uttered to me by my 15-year-old son when I told him I was reviewing the latest in the Sly Cooper franchise.  Not too hard to believe considering it’s been a long 8 years since we’ve seen anything new from the thieving raccoon.  Aside from a polished up HD version of the classics the hiatus has been a long one.  In fact Sly almost managed to skip an entire console generation just sneaking in at the end of the PS3’s life cycle.  With the torch being passed from Sucker Punch to Sanzaru Games was it worth the wait? Indeed it was.

A faithful send-up of cartoon humor and polished platforming, Sly Cooper's long-awaited return keeps things fresh with astounding and compelling variety.

“Excellent platforming meets near perfect cross-play”

What’s perhaps most striking about playing a Sly Cooper game late in the PS3 generation is how it proves that the brand itself is still relevant, as is the mascot-based 3D platformer. While similar PlayStation series like Jak & Daxter and Ratchet & Clank have either disappeared entirely or gone in new and strange directions respectively, the fourth Sly Cooper game is true to itself. The decision to remain true to what made Sly great in the first place is daring in an age where the 3D platformer can come off as a dinosaur. Sure, Sly 4 has ridiculous load times, occasionally frustrating gamepla...

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It’s fairly obvious that newcomer Sanzaru Games has poured its heart and soul into Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time. The long-awaited fourth instalment in PlayStation’s premier theft simulator is bursting with reverence for the franchise that Sucker Punch introduced over ten years ago, and that’s evident in every inch of the sequel’s agonising attention to detail. But does the classic series still have the skills to perform the perfect heist, or is it on a crash course with a spell in the slammer?

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time is a solid title that sticks rigidly to the Sly Cooper formula. Whether this is a bad thing or not is purely down to personal preference. In my opinion now was the perfect time to add a twist to the proceedings. Those looking for an enjoyable platform romp will no doubt have a blast with the game, but those looking for something new may come away disappointed.

I would absolutely recommend this game to anybody who owns a Vita or PS3. At a budget price of $49, you’re getting both the PS3 + Vita version and a flawless cross saving experience. If you haven’t played the first 3 Sly Cooper games then don’t let that deter you from what is an absolute classic platformer and a breath of fresh air in the current market.