Video games that could be an animated movie became more plausible as new systems came out with better graphics capability. Gamers debated if a certain game would make a good Disney movie and so forth. Looking the part is one thing, but a game would have to characters and a story that were also strong. Sucker Punch probably did not consider this in 2002 when they released their second game. Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus would, however, check off all the requirements for an animated movie.
Sly Cooper is descended from the most famous thieving family of all time. Their knowledge was kept in a book called the Thievius Raccoonus. One night, the book was stolen by a criminal group called the Fiendish Five and Sly’s father was killed. Sly, along with his friends Bentley and Murray, try to get the pages back while also taking the group down. Sly has another problem. Interpol agent Carmeltia Montoya Fox is on his trail, and the question of will she arrest or kiss him needs to be answered.
Sly Cooper creates a world that is instantly recognizable as a complete creation. The levels seem as if they sprung to life from a comic book. This type of cell shading was one of the game’s biggest talking points when it was released. It made the game seem both more real and more animated at the same time. The characters are filled with personality. Sly (of course a raccoon would be a master thief) is cocky, but seems to have his heart in the right place.
The game play is a mix of stealth and moving fast. Sly does not have a lot of hits to get, so he must avoid conflict when he can. This involves sneaking around guards and alarm systems. Being a raccoon, Sly moves and jumps around corners and on rooftops. When you can’t hide, the use of a hooked cane needs to be applied. Between levels, your friends get their own mini-games. The boss battles are fun, requiring you to figure out the pattern. The game makes you wait and then puts you into a sprint.
Sly Cooper worked because the animation style got gamers to take a look, but the gampeplay kept the players playing. It is that rare game that is just as dun today as when it was released. Sequels would keep adding to the characters story. The first is (mostly) always the best, so grab a mask, get your crew, and head out into the night.
