SDCC10: ‘Sly Cooper Collection’ Hands-On First Impressions

When I was about twelve, I picked up a game for my Playstation 2 called Sly Cooper and the Thievius Racoonus. With its slick cel-shaded animation, humorous storyline, and addictive gameplay, I probably played this game and its subsequent sequels many times. Which is why, when I heard they were re-releasing it for the PS3 in 3D, I had a little fan-girl freak out. I got a chance to try out The Sly Cooper Collection at Comic-Con, and it definitely left an impression.

You’re probably wondering why they’re re-releasing these three games instead of making a brand new one, especially because the graphics in these games are obviously a little bit outdated. The obvious answer to this is that these games are great, but once you get in front of a screen, put on those glasses, and pick up the controller, it pretty much speaks for itself. 3D makes these games look fantastic! The graphics were cleaned up a bit for this release, but there’s so much about the cel-shading from the original games that enhances the 3D.

One particular level we got to try out was a flying level, where Sly had to shoot his way to victory against a bunch of different airplanes and baddies. The depth of the environment around the characters and the way it felt to fly around that 3D environment was pretty awe-inspiring. The third game in the series was actually released in 3D on the PS2, and while the technology now was nothing like it is then, it made a really easy transition to the 3D we’ve come to know and enjoy these days. The 3D graphics in Sly Cooper Collection will even be able to be adjusted to avoid eye strain and headaches as well as change the angle at which the game can be viewed.

In terms of the games themselves, they’ve kept everything exactly the same. Controls, story, and levels were ported directly from the original games. Added to the games, however, are mini-games with Playstation Move support, as well as Playstation trophies.

The Sly Cooper Collection will only cost you $39.99, and will be released exclusively for the Playstation 3 sometime this fall.