History VideoGame / RatchetAndClankFutureACrackInTime

* DumbMuscle: The Agorians. Though they're actually GenreSavvy enough to recognize this and hire another race (see MyBrainIsBig below) to do the thinking for them.

* DumbMuscle: The Agorians. Though they're actually GenreSavvy enough to recognise this and hire another race (see MyBrainIsBig below) to do the thinking for them.

%%* CrosshairAware

* AscendedExtra: The Groovitrons and Mr. Zurkon, both just "combat devices" in Tools, become fully fledged, upgradable weapons in this game. Given that both were major {{Ensemble Darkhorse}}s, this comes as no surprise.

* BrickJoke: When we're introduced to him, there's a gag about Sigmund having a cuckoo clock-type extension in his chest compartment. Near the game's end, when he tries to [[spoiler: confront Azimuth]], he uses it to get a few hits in.

* DevelopersRoom: The Insomniac Moon, unlocked by [[spoiler: collecting all 40 Zoni and defeating [[BonusBoss Lord Vorselon]] for the final time]]. Filled with DummiedOut content.

* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: A familial example. In his final message to Clank, Orvus states that while he ''does'' want Clank to watch over the Great Clock in his place, like any father, he's nonetheless content that Clank does whatever "makes him feel whole." With this knowledge, Clank [[spoiler: leaves the Clock in Sigmund's care and departs with Ratchet]].

** Since this would mean [[spoiler:allowing every evil plan ever foiled by the heroes to succeed, from Chairman Drek onward]], logically, [[spoiler:General Azimuth's plan]] would have caused this too, since it would have [[spoiler: prevented Ratchet from ever meeting Clank]].

* MyGreatestFailure: [[spoiler:A big plot point in ''Tools of Destruction'' was that Tachyon was able to defeat the Lombaxes and conquer the galaxy due to having improved Lombax technology. ''Crack in Time'' reveals that Azimuth was the one who gave Tachyon access to the tech. (Ironically, he did so because he believed that Tachyon's improvements would help defend the galaxy.) This mistake weighs on Azimuth so much it drives him a bit insane, which comes to a head in the climax of ''Crack''.]]

** The [[spoiler: Nefarious hologram]] might count too, due to the fact that Ratchet's [[PintSizedPowerhouse so short.]]

* AscendedExtra: The Groovitrons and Mr. Zurkon, both just 'combat devices' in Tools, become fully fledged, upgradable weapons in this game. Given that both were major {{Ensemble Darkhorse}}s, this comes as no surprise.

* HoverSkates: Ratchet uses a pair of hoverboots to speed around and jump off ramps
* HundredPercentCompletion: Requires 40 Zoni, 40 Gold Bolts, 10 RYNO V blueprints, and 1000 skill points. [[spoiler:Fortunantly, you only need 40 Zoni to reach the [[DevelopersRoom Insomniac Museum]] ]].

* DevelopersRoom: The Insomniac Moon, unlocked by collecting all 40 Zoni and [[spoiler:defeating [[BonusBoss Lord Vorselon]] for the final time]]. Filled with DummiedOut content.

* HoverBoots: Ratchet uses a pair of hoverboots to speed around and jump off ramps

* ArtShift: {{Flash Back}}s and photographs are typically drawn rather than CG rendered

* BringMyBrownPants: "So much for clean underwear." -Qwark

* CaptainSpaceDefenderOfEarth: Captain Qwark, as always.

* CutsceneIncompetence: Near the end, Ratchet, Clank, and Qwark, surrounded by his guards, surrender to Dr. Nefarious. Never mind that there are only eight guards, and they later fight Nefarious with the exact same level of preparation.

* EmptyRoomUntilTheTrap: Lampshaded. After going through two of these in the Valkyrie Citadel, Ratchet is not surprised by the third.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: Vorselon's message to Ratchet: [[spoiler:"Only one lombax need perish tonight. If you'd be willing to take his place..."]]

* GameWithinAGame: "My Blaster Runs Hot - The Game". It's a twin-stick shooter that has Qwark facing down hordes of robots.

* IronicEcho: When first asked why he didn't leave with the Lombaxes, Azimuth wistfully answers: "''Sometimes the universe has a cruel sense of humour''". [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzfLXSFxd5E At the end of the game,]] Orvus concludes his final message to Clank by saying: "''The universe has a wonderful sense of humour. The trick is learning how to take a joke.''"
** Arguably, [[spoiler:Ratchet falling at the Great Clock]] could be considered an echo of the same thing happening on Planet Reepor in ''Tools of Destruction'', OR [[spoiler:the aforementioned "mid-air rescue" of Clank at the Valkyries' base]].

* MakeWrongWhatOnceWentRight: [[spoiler:Dr. Nefarious' ultimate goal. He even provides the page quote]].

* MeaningfulEcho: Not an immediately obvious one, but so perfect it can't be anything but intentional. Late in the game, Ratchet rescues Clank by using his Hoverboots to catch him in mid-air and save his life. This mirrors the ending of [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank the original game]] when Clank uses his Thruster-Pack to push Ratchet in mid-air and save his life. The latter happens in the adventure where the two first meet, the former when they meet up again after their first significant time apart from each other. It's also worth noting that, in their respective games, both the Hoverboots and the Thruster-Pack are used for the same tasks: gliding through the air and crossing horizontal distances quickly.

** Made even more ridiculous by the [[InfinityPlusOneSword RYNO V]], which (in V1) has 1500 ammo and goes through it in around ''one minute''. It also plays the 1812 Overture whenever fired. There's a skill point earned for killing 15 enemies in a row without stopping. The name of said skill point is 'The Simple Art of Armageddon.'

* NoScope: While this was effective in previous games, A Crack In Time discourages the tactic by giving the [[SniperRifle Plasma Striker]] the ability to shoot [[AttackItsWeakPoint weak points]] on enemies for extra damage. These can only be seen and hit when scoped in.

* PaperThinDisguise: Nurse Shannon. The [[spoiler: Nefarious hologram]] might count too, due to the fact that Ratchet's [[PintSizedPowerhouse so short.]]

* ShoutOut: Two of the trophies are "[[IndianaJones It Belongs in a Museum]]" and "[[Film/BackToTheFuture 88MPH]]"
** Before Ratchet enters the Zoni Temple alone, Qwark says "Operation [[Franchise/StarTrek Red]] [[RedShirt Shirt]] is a go".
** In the [[DevelopersRoom Insomniac Moon]], there's a room called the [[VideoGame/{{Resistance}} Hale Conference Room]] among other conference rooms named after ''Ratchet & Clank'' characters. Also, it says the Tetramites were based on TheSwarm from Resistance 2.
** [[TheLoneRanger "High-ho, Snowball,]] ''away!''"
** The "My Blaster Runs Hot" video game is basically ''VideoGame/{{Robotron 2084}}'' meets StylisticSuck.
** '''Mr. Zurkon:''' [[Film/HomeAlone Keep the change, filthy aliens.]]
** Pirate Radio has one song that vaguely resembles "Eye of the Tiger" and another with slightly overwrought emotional guitar work that calls to mind Music/DireStraits.
* SlowClap: In response to Qwark's speech in the Agorian Battleplex.

* TakeMeInstead: "...All I ask is that you name something impressive in my honor! Perhaps a school, or a food court."

-->'''Captain Qwark''': "The key to surviving situations like this is to refrain from phrases like '[[ItsQuietTooQuiet it's too quiet in here]]' and 'everything's gonna be alright'."

* TronLines: Ratchet's armor. Come to think of it, it does make Ratchet look like he came from [[{{Film/TronLegacy}} The Grid]]...

* VocalDissonance: Libra, one of the three leaders of the AmazonBrigade, sounds suspiciously like [[WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers Dr. Girlfriend]].

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: The game fails to resolve several plotlines that ''Tools of Destruction'' left hanging. The upcoming comic series may resolve them yet, though.
** It is never revealed what happened to Talwyn's father, Max Apogee, and in fact, [[BrotherChuck Talwyn doesn't appear in the game at all]].
*** Actually, if you listen in on the radio, you can catch a report that seems to imply that [[spoiler:Max teamed up with Angela from [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando the second game]] (now apparently confirmed to be a Lombax), and docked on Kerchu where they used the Dimensionator to flee to wherever the Lombaxes were.]] The radio also plays a song dedicated to Ratchet from Talwyn, indicating that she wasn't totally forgotten and implying that they parted on good terms.

*** [[UnreliableNarrator That]] ''[[UnreliableNarrator is]]'' [[ThroughTheEyesOfMadness Azimuth, though...]]
**** The alternative is Tachyon, and he's not exactly the sanest creature in the universe.

The third entry in the ''Ratchet & Clank Future'' saga on the PlayStation3, after ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureToolsOfDestruction Tools of Destruction]]'' and ''Quest for Booty'', and the seventh (canon) game in the ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' series overall.

* BagOfSharing: While wandering the Great Clock, Clank can destroy boxes and repair things to earn bolts. That Ratchet can use to buy things.

* BringMyBrownPants: "So much for clean underwear."
* CaptainSpaceDefenderOfEarth: Captain Qwark.

** But the name latter ended up as being a skill point in [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankIntoTheNexus a later game.]]

* OffModel: In the scene where Ratchet rescues Clank, Ratchet uses the Hoverboots to catch up with Clank in freefall. Except that Ratchet is still wearing his normal boots in the scene. Turns into TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything when you manage to trigger the scene with the Hoverboots equipped; the blue flames match up perfectly with the jets on the boots.

** Arguably, the entire game's art style is one. Compared to [=ToD=], it looks a lot more cell-shaded and cartoony.

* TwoDSpace: Played straight to a ridiculous degree when there are force fields in a narrow ring around a planet that you can't get by without disabling.

[[quoteright:256:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/256px-Ratchet__Clank_Future-_A_Crack_in_Time_1367.jpg]]

* CoolOldGuy: Orvus. Guy saved the universe and created Clank. Loves [[IncrediblyLamePun puns]]. Also perhaps the most quotable character in the entire series.

The third entry in the ''Ratchet & Clank Future'' saga on the PlayStation3, after ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureToolsOfDestruction Tools of Destruction]]'' and ''Quest for Booty'', and the seventh (canon) game in the ''RatchetAndClank'' series overall.

* ContinuityNod: This has a ''lot'', possibly due to its likelihood of being the last game in the series. ([[RatchetAndClankAll4One Except it wasn't.]])

* MeaningfulEcho: Not an immediately obvious one, but so perfect it can't be anything but intentional. Late in the game, Ratchet rescues Clank by using his Hoverboots to catch him in mid-air and save his life. This mirrors the ending of [[RatchetAndClank2002 the original game]] when Clank uses his Thruster-Pack to push Ratchet in mid-air and save his life. The latter happens in the adventure where the two first meet, the former when they meet up again after their first significant time apart from each other. It's also worth noting that, in their respective games, both the Hoverboots and the Thruster-Pack are used for the same tasks: gliding through the air and crossing horizontal distances quickly.

*** Actually, if you listen in on the radio, you can catch a report that seems to imply that [[spoiler:Max teamed up with Angela from [[RatchetAndClankGoingCommando the second game]] (now apparently confirmed to be a Lombax), and docked on Kerchu where they used the Dimensionator to flee to wherever the Lombaxes were.]] The radio also plays a song dedicated to Ratchet from Talwyn, indicating that she wasn't totally forgotten and implying that they parted on good terms.