Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time is a 2009 platform video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. It is the seventh main installment in the Ratchet & Clank series and the sequel to 2008's Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty, as well as the third installment in the "Future" saga.
Set after the events of Quest for Booty, Quest for Booty similarly takes place in the "Polaris" galaxy introduced in that game. A Crack in Time continues the search of series protagonist Ratchet for his co-lead Clank, with two eventually crossing ways once more with Dr. Nefarious, who returns as the game's main antagonist. A Crack in Time concludes the story arc that began with Tools of Destruction.
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time takes place in the "Polaris" galaxy, which was used as the setting for its predecessors within the "Future" saga. Played from a third-person perspective, players control Ratchet as he explores the star system of Breegus in search for Clank. Ratchet can use a wide array of futuristic weapons and tools to complete objectives, solve puzzles and fight enemies, as well as using his spaceship Aphelion to explore outer space. The game also features sections playable by Clank, whose gameplay has been revamped for the game.
Development on A Crack on Time revolved around its theme of time travel, with Insomniac choosing the title to reflect on those elements. Enemy designs likewise were influenced to have more mechanical and contrasting designs than previous installments. Insomniac Games originally believed that A Crack in Time would be the final entry in the Ratchet & Clank series.
Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time was critically acclaimed upon release, and became one of the best-received titles within the series. Reviewers cited the gameplay, Clank's segments and narrative as strengths with particular praise towards the game's production values; criticism was focused on the space battles while reviewers commented on lack of significant deviation from the series formula. The game sold favorably, prompting Sony to continue the franchise. A sequel, Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus, was released in 2013.