Sucker Punch Productions has been developing games since 1997. Following a debut title on the Nintendo 64, 1999’sRocket: Robot on Wheels,Sucker Punch has been developing games exclusively for the PlayStation since 2002. While the developer has come to be known for its mature action-adventure titles, most recentlyGhost of Tsushima, its first true hit was theSly Cooperseries. These titles put Sucker Punch on the map, however, the developer took a more mature approach to its next series,Infamous, and never looked back. While this progression is shared between many studios of the era, one in particular, Insomniac Games, proves it’s possible to evolve and mature while maintaining a commitment to the past. Sucker Punch should follow in Insomniac’s footsteps by making that same commitment to itsSly Cooperseries.
TheSly Cooperseries follows the titular Sly Cooper, a raccoon from a long line of master thieves, called the Cooper Clan. The original trilogy titles were each among the best of the PS2 era, resulting Sucker Punch releasing a trilogy remaster collection on the PS3 and PS Vita. A fourth title,Sly Cooper: Thieves on Time, was released in 2013, but development was handed to Sanzaru Games. The last decade has seen nothing new from the series. Meanwhile, Sucker Punch’sGhost of Tsushimaestablished the developer as a major AAA studio. While Sucker Punch will likely stick with this successful franchise, Insomniac has proven that there is room to expand upon new and old properties alike.
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Insomniac Games Proves Major Studios Can Honor Their Humble Beginnings
Last year,Sucker Punch officially confirmed that it has no plans to revisit past series, as it has seemingly evolved beyond developing platformers. It makes sense that the developer is focusing on establishing itself as a serious studio. However, it is possible to maintain that reputation, while taking the time to honor the titles, and fans, that helped the studio reach these present heights. A fact that another studio, Insomniac Games, has proven time and again.
Insomniac Games is currently in the spotlight because of its various Marvel titles, but the studio finds its origins firmly established in theSpyroandRatchet and Clankseries. The originalRatchet and Clankcame out the same year as the firstSly Coopertitle. However, unlike Sucker Punch, Insomniac has maintained a constant commitment toRatchet and Clank.Despite decades of exploring various genres and levels of maturity, with titles likeResistance,Fuse,Sunset Overdrive, andSong of the Deep, Ratchet and Clankhas consistently been given its time to shine. This long-established commitment to the past culminated in what is widely considered the first truly next-gen title of the current era, the critically and commercially acclaimedRatchet and Clank: Rift Apart.
Sucker Punch Should Follow in Insomniac’s Footsteps with Sly Cooper
Sucker Punch is currently working on a new open-world gamebut should follow in Insomniac’s footsteps with a newSly Coopertitle next. While gamers no doubt appreciate something new, honoring the past with a follow-up title goes quite a long way with fans. Something that sets Insomniac’s approach apart is that it honors its legacy franchise by building upon it, not reiterating it. Insomniac’s approach toRatchet and Clank, and the level of excellence that results, says more about the studio’s evolution than any future IP possibly could.
Over 20 years later,Sly Cooperis still an excellent title. Sucker Punch should show how much it evolved over the past two decades by presenting longtime fans with a modern, truly next-gen entry for its classic IP. Doing so has zero impact on its current reputation as a serious and mature AAA studio, but could have tons of impact on its fan base. It remains to be seen whether Sucker Punch will truly leave its legacy series behind. Until it’s made clear, fans of theSly Cooperseries cautiously hold out hope that the thieving raccoon will someday return.
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