Sly’s Cane Melee
A thief's best friend: quick, sharp, and always reliable.
Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time is a 2013 stealth action video game developed by Sanzaru Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. The fourth installment in the Sly Cooper series, it is the first game in the series to not be developed by Sucker Punch Productions. The game, set in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals, follows from the end of Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves (2005). Sly Cooper, a raccoon from a long line of master thieves, reunites with his gang to repair the Thievius Raccoonus, a book chronicling the Cooper family line whose pages have been affected by a villain traveling through time. The player controls Sly, Bentley, Murray, Carmelita Fox, and Sly's ancestors, using their skills to pull off heists and reveal who is interfering in the Cooper family's history.
Quick Facts
- Character
- Sly Cooper
- Affiliation
- Cooper Gang
- First appears
- Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus
Lore & Background
Sly's cane is more than just a weapon; it is a family heirloom passed down through generations of Cooper thieves. Each Cooper has added their own techniques to the Thievius Raccoonus, the sacred book of thieving skills, and Sly's cane melee moves are a direct reflection of that legacy. The cane itself is a lightweight but sturdy metal rod with a curved hook, allowing Sly to both strike and parry with fluid precision. In the hands of a master, the cane becomes an extension of Sly's body, enabling him to chain attacks, dodge, and counter enemy moves with ease.
Reader's Guide
Sly's Cane Melee is the core combat mechanic in the Sly Cooper series. These moves are essential for crowd control and for breaking the defenses of tougher enemies. Why it matters: The cane melee system is Sly's only direct offensive option in most situations, making it vital for progressing through levels, defeating bosses, and protecting his friends. Mastering the timing and combos allows players to conserve health, avoid damage, and maintain the fluid, acrobatic style that defines the franchise. Without it, Sly would be defenseless against the many threats that stalk the shadows.
Did You Know?
- The game was teased in The Sly Collection, a remastered bundle of the original trilogy released for PlayStation 3.
- Thieves in Time was formally announced at the 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo during Sony's presentation in June 2011.
- The PlayStation Vita version was not part of the cross-buy scheme, meaning it did not include a free copy of the PlayStation 3 version.
- The game's worlds are claimed to be three times the size of the original trilogy.
More in Gameplay & Mechanics
Elsewhere in Sly Cooper
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