Sly Cooper and the Theivius Racoonus

The classic platformer, is like a little bit of heaven.  When you've been playing shooters non-stop, the shooting genre gets boring.  That's where Sly Cooper comes in, one of the most fun games on PS2.  It's one of three big franchises in the platform genre, made by SCEA, the other two being Jak and Daxter, and Ratchet and Clank.  Since it's 2002 release, it has been re-released on PS3 in 2010, for a collection entitled "The Sly Collection", which also includes Sly 2: Band of Theives, and Sly 3: Honor Among Theives.

GAMEPLAY

The game core relies on stealth, simular to Splinter Cell, sneaking around, staying out of the light, sneaking past lasers, climbing on ledges, and taking on enemies from behind.  The other aspect is Mario Bros. style jumping around and coin collecting.  There are five sets of levels, simular to Mario's worlds.  Each is set at one of the members of the Fiendish Five's hideouts.  Inside the hub area of the hideout, you can select a level.  The levels revolve around getting keys, to unlock the door to the boss.  Collectible items for each level include green bottles, which unlock a move from the "Theivius Raccoonus".  It only takes one hit with your cane to kill a enemy, but it also only takes one hit to kill you, unless you have a magic horseshoe. 

STORY

Raccoons are master thieves, well... if your born in the Cooper family you are!

The Coopers only stole from other master thieves, and wrote everything down in their ancient book the "Theivius Raccoonus", well on the night that Sly was to inherit the book the Fiendish 5 came and ransacked the house until ,they found the "Theivius Raccoonus".

Sly, who was left all alone, (they killed his parents) was dumped at the town orphanage.  There he met Bently and Murray, his best friends, who later become his crew.  Powered by determination, He and his friends set out to defeat the Fendish 5 and claim back the "Theivius Raccoonus".

GRAPHICS

For PS2, the graphics are nice and vibrant.  The animators did a very good job with the sprites for...everything, and the game has a noir feel, which adds to the funny cartoon like premise.  The PS3 version boasts updated graphics, and trophy support.

AGE

Sly's backstory is not detailed but, might be scary for younger kids.  The third set of levels is set in a Hatian jungle, while your looking for a Voodoo practicing alligator named Ms. Ruby.  Age 7 and up.

CONCLUSION

Sly Cooper and the Theivius Raccoonus is a game I would recommend to anyone.  The game it self only takes 12 hours to beat, so some might consider short. 
I give this 7 out of 10.