Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time

About Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time arrives as the fourth main chapter in this stealth platformer series. Sanzaru Games developed it for Sony Computer Entertainment and released it on February 5, 2013. You can find it on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita systems. The story picks up after Bentley alerts Sly that his family's history book is vanishing. The gang rebuilds to fix the timeline using a time machine built into their van. They travel through eras like Feudal Japan to recover lost pages. This entry keeps the series' distinct cel-shaded look and humor while adding new time-travel mechanics. It focuses on heists, puzzles, and platforming challenges across different historical settings.

Gameplay

You control Sly or other gang members during stealth missions that require careful observation. The core loop involves scouting areas to avoid guards, using gadgets like the cane for grappling or distraction, and stealing specific items from targets. Each character brings a unique skill set to overcome obstacles or solve environmental puzzles. Sessions often involve navigating tight platforms while managing detection meters. The game introduces time-traveling levels where you interact with past versions of the same locations. You might need to steal an item in the past to unlock a path in the present. Controls feel responsive during combat and traversal, though some sections demand precise timing. The stealth elements encourage patience rather than rushing through areas blindly.

What Players Think

PlayPile data shows strong approval for this title with an IGDB score of 79 out of 100 based on 96 ratings. Players generally rate it highly among fans of the franchise. Average playtime sits around 12 hours for a standard run, while completionists spend closer to 18 hours collecting all pages. Community moods lean toward nostalgic and appreciative, with many users praising the historical level designs. Review snippets frequently mention the improved combat mechanics compared to earlier entries. Some critics note that the Vita version runs slightly smoother than the PS3 release. The community stats confirm that this game holds a solid spot in the platformer genre without reaching universal acclaim but maintaining high engagement among its dedicated fanbase.

PlayPile's Take

This game works best for players who already enjoy the Sly Cooper series or want a polished stealth experience on PS3 and Vita. The price varies by region, but it remains a solid value given the number of hours you can get out of it. There are over 40 achievements to chase if you want to collect every page in every era. It does not reinvent the wheel but refines what came before with better time-travel logic. If you like methodical gameplay and clever puzzles, this title delivers exactly what you expect without unnecessary fluff. Skip it only if you dislike stealth mechanics entirely or prefer fast-paced action over careful planning.

Storyline

Sly Cooper was enjoying his relationship with Inspector Carmelita Fox, a relationship they were able to begin by Sly feigning amnesia, when Bentley showed up. Bentley explained to Sly that the pages of the Thievius Raccoonus were disappearing and that Penelope had also suddenly vanished simultaneously. Bentley was looking to re-form the Cooper Gang so that they could stop whomever was altering history. Sly soon met up with Bentley and Murray at their old hideout, where Bentley introduced them to the Time Machine. With this device integrated into the Cooper Van, the gang would be able to travel back in time and fix the past. Their first stop was Feudal Japan, but because the Time Machine required an item from that era, they would need to pull a heist to get the item in question. Their target was a nearby museum owned by a seemingly respectable art mogul, a museum that Sly had been keeping tabs on already.