Kn1GHT_AX Posted September 5, 2021 Posted September 5, 2021 Initial release date: September 16, 2020 Developer: Toys for Bob Series: Crash Bandicoot Composer: Walter Mair Publisher: Activision Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows FOR Multiple playable characters Tried and tested gameplay Beautiful levels, full of secrets AGAINST Frustrating checkpoints Might feel too familiar for some Neo Cortex levels aren't great It might have taken 22 years to get here, but Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is a glorious return for the cheeky marsupial. With the recent releases of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, it's become clear that there's still a lot of love for the jorts-wearing mascot amongst the gaming community. And it helped that both remakes were handled with aplomb, too. But a question that often arises with any reboot, remake or sequel – particularly after such a long period of time has passed – is whether it’s really necessary. Some things are better left in the past after all, and there was a chance that a poorly executed modern-day Crash Bandicoot game could spin Sony's old mascot straight back into the depths of obscurity. The linear-platforming formula that Crash first championed in 1997 is just as enjoyable today as it was all those years ago. Shifting between a 3D and 2D plane, along with grinding down rails, might not be as ambitious as more open-ended titles such as Super Mario Odyssey, but by ditching the sandbox nature many platformers pursue, Crash's levels are far more refined. They can often present more of a visual spectacle, too. Whether you're bouncing through a vibrant carnival-style stage, escaping a pursuing T-Rex or riding on the back of a baby polar bear as you career down a mountain, there’s so much detail packed into each level that it’s almost a shame you’ll be mostly fixated on smashing crates and discovering hidden gems. From the game’s nostalgic world map screen to its simple run and jump gameplay, there’s definitely an air of familiarity to proceedings. However, the game throws enough perilous platforming sections and new abilities your way to make the experience feel suitably fresh. Oh, and it's noticeably difficult, too, which is a hallmark of the Crash Bandicoot series. Don’t let its child-like presentation fool you – this is a challenging and sometimes rage-inducing game, but yet it always manages to feel fair. One of the most subtle improvements, though, comes in the form of a small shadow that appears when your character is over crates or certain obstacles. In the past, you'd be left at the mercy of some spotty depth perception, so having a clear indication of where your character will land is honestly a godsend. Sadists can turn this option off if they choose, however. There's even a pseudo local multiplayer mode this time around called Pass N. Play. You can take it in turns to pass the controller when a player dies or reaches a checkpoint, and it's a great way of letting more skilled players help novices progress through more challenges areas. Premium Posted March 14 Initial release date: September 16, 2020 Developer: Toys for Bob Series: Crash Bandicoot Composer: Walter Mair Publisher: Activision Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows FOR Multiple playable characters Tried and tested gameplay Beautiful levels, full of secrets AGAINST Frustrating checkpoints Might feel too familiar for some Neo Cortex levels aren't great It might have taken 22 years to get here, but Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is a glorious return for the cheeky marsupial. With the recent releases of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, it's become clear that there's still a lot of love for the jorts-wearing mascot amongst the gaming community. And it helped that both remakes were handled with aplomb, too. But a question that often arises with any reboot, remake or sequel – particularly after such a long period of time has passed – is whether it’s really necessary. Some things are better left in the past after all, and there was a chance that a poorly executed modern-day Crash Bandicoot game could spin Sony's old mascot straight back into the depths of obscurity. The linear-platforming formula that Crash first championed in 1997 is just as enjoyable today as it was all those years ago. Shifting between a 3D and 2D plane, along with grinding down rails, might not be as ambitious as more open-ended titles such as Super Mario Odyssey, but by ditching the sandbox nature many platformers pursue, Crash's levels are far more refined. They can often present more of a visual spectacle, too. Whether you're bouncing through a vibrant carnival-style stage, escaping a pursuing T-Rex or riding on the back of a baby polar bear as you career down a mountain, there’s so much detail packed into each level that it’s almost a shame you’ll be mostly fixated on smashing crates and discovering hidden gems. From the game’s nostalgic world map screen to its simple run and jump gameplay, there’s definitely an air of familiarity to proceedings. However, the game throws enough perilous platforming sections and new abilities your way to make the experience feel suitably fresh. Oh, and it's noticeably difficult, too, which is a hallmark of the Crash Bandicoot series. Don’t let its child-like presentation fool you – this is a challenging and sometimes rage-inducing game, but yet it always manages to feel fair. One of the most subtle improvements, though, comes in the form of a small shadow that appears when your character is over crates or certain obstacles. In the past, you'd be left at the mercy of some spotty depth perception, so having a clear indication of where your character will land is honestly a godsend. Sadists can turn this option off if they choose, however. There's even a pseudo local multiplayer mode this time around called Pass N. Play. You can take it in turns to pass the controller when a player dies or reaches a checkpoint, and it's a great way of letting more skilled players help novices progress through more challenges areas. Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time - minimum system requirements CPU: Intel Core i3-4340 / AMD FX-6300 RAM: 8GB GPU: Nvidia GTX 660 / AMD Radeon HD 7950 HDD space: 30 GB OS: Internet: Broadband required Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time - recommended system requirements CPU: Intel Core i5-2500k / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X RAM: 16GB GPU: Nvidia GTX 970 / AMD R9 390 HDD space: 30 GB OS: Windows 10 Internet: broadband, required
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