Clank using temporal recording to complete a time puzzle.
Temporal recordings[1] are a mechanic in A Crack in Time. Used from time pads[1] in the Great Clock and in Clank's subconscious, temporal recordings allow one to record their actions, creating multiple selves.
Temporal recordings are used in time puzzles in A Crack in Time. The player must create multiple versions of Clank to complete puzzles requiring simultaneous actions. They form the core of Clank gameplay in A Crack in Time.
History[]
Temporal recordings were used by the caretakers of the Great Clock to improve efficiency and were designed by Orvus. They also served as a security device. Sigmund installed a quantum actuator into Clank's circuitry while he was unconscious, enabling him to create temporal recordings.[1] Clank first used them in "Travel with Sigmund to meet Orvus".
Gameplay[]
Clank using a time pad
When a player stands on a time pad, they can begin a recording (or record over a previous recording on that pad). The recording can be used until it ends early, time runs out, or that recording of Clank reaches the end of an area. Players can also delete an existing recording on that pad or all recordings. The recording will be color-coded to the pad when viewed later.
Most time puzzles involve having multiple selves stand on buttons to allow a main recording to progress to the end of an area. This requires recording over a past self to progress further than was previously possible. When recording over a past self, players can stand on the time pad to view the path that the recording took, to know what steps to retread when rerecording.
Teratropes can eat past selves and must be defeated to progress through an area.
Players can bypass time puzzles but will lose a reward of bolts and a chance to earn a skill point. Upon returning to an area, there is no harm in bypassing an already completed puzzle.
A puzzle inside Clank's subconscious.
In addition to the mandatory story puzzles, more challenging puzzles exist that unlock gold bolts, found in mnemonic stations upon returning to areas. These puzzles cannot be bypassed.