PixlBit

So I went over the Jak games. And I went over the Ratchet games. So the logical thing to do is now cover the Sly Cooper games. Like Jak and Ratchet, Sly has a huge change in direction between the first and second games which defines how the rest of the series moves. It is also my favorite of the three. There's not as many good games as Ratchet, but what's good here just appeals to me more. So here's my thoughts:

Sly Cooper and the Thevius Racoonus

I'd classify this as a good, not great game. What I like about it is how great a mix stealth and platforming turn out to be. Tailing guards ends up being just getting your timing right, kind of like if you had rotating platforms. It works really well in a way where rather than feeling like a mix between the two, the stealth just complements the platforming.

The level design for this is just good, but not great. It is very similar to PS1 Crash Bandicoot games, aka the greatest platformers ever. But, by copying this formula it just made me focus on how it wasn't like Crash Bandicoot. The controls weren't as tight as Crash, where I can land flawlessly on tiny boxes flawlessly. Sly fixes this by giving an option to press the O button to automatically land on tiny platforms, but this feels like overkill. Every platform is either too big or  you just need to press circle. There's still challenge with timing your platformings, but not landing your jumps. This wouldn't be an issue, but I'm too big a Crash fan to not focus on the differences.

I wasn't a fan of the minigames either. I don't expect minigames to be as fun as the core game, just offer a fun distraction. These don't even do that. They're annoying and made me just wish I could get back to the main game as quickly as possible. 

Still, I had fun with it. Not a great game, but a decent one to get the ball rolling. Fortunately, however, Sucker Punch got a lot more creative for the sequel. I know a lot of people don't like this game though, but the series goes in a different direction after that's still well worth looking into.

Sly 2

Sly 2 is one of my all time favorite platformers. Rather than just giving more of the same, they gave us something really unique and creative. The game is set up where each level is an open area you complete missions in. I wouldn't call these areas open world because they're nothing like GTA, think more like a Mario 64 level. Each mission builds up to the end of the level, playing a specific role. Then when you get to the end, Sly's friend Bentley comes up with an elaborate Ocean's Eleven-esque heist. These heists are incredibly fun and blow GTA V's out of the water.

The setup is just so refreshing. Every mission feels like it has a purpose, with some clever ideas as how to get the villains' treasures. Speaking of the villains, they're a lot more fleshed out and fun here. In the last game you'd get their backstory then at the end you'd get the fight. Here, they're making appearances all the time, each with their own fun personality quirks. 

The platforming overall is a net improvement. Areas designed for tricky platforming opportunities are fewer and farther between, but I feel the open world is a better fit for it. Sneaking around in open areas allows for more options to escape if you do get in trouble and these areas are not too big while also smartly designed for the platforming. These areas are so much fun to roam around in that I even got all thirty clue bottles in every area which net you a new ability. Combine these with how addicting pickpocketing enemies in and the nonlinear setup is a winner.

The game is not quite perfect though. Playing as Sly's friends Bentley and Murray aren't as fun as playing as him, though they still have their moments. And I would have liked some more linear platforming levels mixed in with the open areas. Despite my complaints, they still are fun and I would have liked more, especially since 2's were more fun than 1's. But that's just me being picky. Sly 2's still a great game that I highly recommend.

Sly 3

I was real excited to get to 3 after enjoying 2 so much. And man was it disappointing. It's not a bad game, it's just such a huge step back from 2. The plot here is that they're planning for their biggest heist yet and need the help from a few specialists. And this is the biggest issue with the game: The specialists are not as much fun as Sly and take up way too much of the gameplay.

Early on, this isn't too much an issue. But as the game goes on you play more as the side characters and less as Sly. And Sly missions are just hands down the best part. Even worse is that many of these people do little more than minigames, to the point where it feels more like a minigame collection as much as a platformer-always a sign that the game has lost sight.

The areas meanwhile are not as well designed as 2's nor do they have the hidden bottle collectables. Now, I think a lot of platformers go overboard with collectables, but these made the areas fun to explore. I liked to get familiar with each one by finding them all before starting the level. And they made the game feel less special, which is a running theme of Sly 3. Overall, I'd say it's just okay.

Sly 4: Thieves in Time

Sanzaru had a lot to live up to so they could match what Sucker Punch gave us. And you know what? They delivered. For starters, Sly 4 is a very good looking game, giving some nice HD cel shaded visuals on the PS3. It's nowhere near as good as Ratchet and Clank, but it's still a lot of fun.

The game is about helping Sly's ancestors by traveling back in time after it is revealed that a new villain is ruining their pasts. This overall, is a fun premise, combining two of my favorite story genres: Time travel and heists. The heists are not as good as 2's, not quite reaching complexity and cleverness they hit, but they're still fun and a lot more creative than GTA V's. 

Meanwhile, the worlds are a step up from 3's, but not quite as good as 2. It's me being picky, but still how it is. On the plus side, Sly's ancestors are a lot more fun to play as than any of the other side characters. They control mostly like Sly, but each has their own gimmick. One has a gun to shoot things with, one can climb on walls, etc. They're really fun and provide their own unique method of platforming. The game also balances open areas and tight linear levels better than 2, giving a balance on par with Jak 2 and 3. 

So overall, 4 is a great game that I highly recommend. It's not the best game in my opinion, but it's really close and one of my favorite games from 2013.