When you think of something that reminds you of your childhood, playing in the road until the street lights come on is a popular one. While such memories different from person to person, mine was owning a Playstation console for the very first time. The very first game I played was Crash Bandicoot.
Now, more than two decades later, the franchise is still going strong and the current title, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, is one of the most exciting and challenging so far. As a bit of a side note - a multiplayer game called Crash Team Rumble will also be launching later this year for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
The game was originally a PS4 release, although the developers have also updated the game to make the most of the PS5’s graphical prowess. The graphics are colourful and smooth and for best viewing should be played on a 4K-capable TV.
Having played every Crash Bandicoot game on console, this is by far the hardest game. If that was the developer's endgame, they've hit the brief head-on. Even in the first level, you can miss a couple of boxes tucked away just far enough to make it seem like part of the environment.
There are also various colour gems to obtain and, you guessed it, it's not a straight cut job. For example, in the N. Sanity Island level, there are signs and symbols on the wall that show you in which order to jump on disappearing platforms to get the red gem.
Disappointingly though, Crash still can't speak, rather making random grunts and groans. What he lacks for in vocabulary, he more than makes up for with new moves like double jump and slide double jump to get to hard to reach places.
Now, more than two decades later, the franchise is still going strong and the current title, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, is one of the most exciting and challenging so far. As a bit of a side note - a multiplayer game called Crash Team Rumble will also be launching later this year for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
The game was originally a PS4 release, although the developers have also updated the game to make the most of the PS5’s graphical prowess. The graphics are colourful and smooth and for best viewing should be played on a 4K-capable TV.
Having played every Crash Bandicoot game on console, this is by far the hardest game. If that was the developer's endgame, they've hit the brief head-on. Even in the first level, you can miss a couple of boxes tucked away just far enough to make it seem like part of the environment.
There are also various colour gems to obtain and, you guessed it, it's not a straight cut job. For example, in the N. Sanity Island level, there are signs and symbols on the wall that show you in which order to jump on disappearing platforms to get the red gem.
Disappointingly though, Crash still can't speak, rather making random grunts and groans. What he lacks for in vocabulary, he more than makes up for with new moves like double jump and slide double jump to get to hard to reach places.
New and improved
A nice feature is that with each of Crash and Coco's adventures, it intertwines with either Dingodile or Tawna's timelines, with the latter protecting the duo from dying in her dimension. The levels get inherently harder and on many occasions you need to visit Youtube in order to see where all the boxes or hidden gems are.
The game is very straightforward and easy if you're not looking to complete it 100% but if you are, your frustration levels will definitely increase.
When focusing on the main objectives, the game is about 10 hours long. If you want to complete it 100%, you are likely to spend around 83 hours in overall playing time. Of course, that is an estimate and can be completed in a quicker time.
Modern playing style
In Crash 4, they've introduced a modern playing style where you can die as many times as you like. However, this does not apply when you're on a mission to get all the silver gems for the level in which case you can only die a maximum of three times.
Unlimited deaths do come with its own set of limitations, though. Die four or more times on a level and you won't get one of the six gems on offer.
If you find yourself missing the old way of playing, you can always change it in the options menu.
Mask help
In earlier games, the Aku Aku mask provides protection from dying if Crash is hit by an enemy. While that is still in effect, the game now also introduces four new masks (Lani-Loli, Akano, Kupuna-Wa and Ika-Ika) all with different abilities for Crash to use like: Phase Shift, Dark Matter, Time and Gravity.
N Verted levels
Upon completion of any normal level, the N Verted option becomes available to play. What makes this level different is the fact that the background filters are dull or colourless to make it difficult to spot boxes and gems. You also start the game in the opposite direction and the gems are often placed in places you won't even think to check.
Flashback tapes
Once you finish the first couple of levels of the first world, the flashback tapes option becomes available. The levels are VHS-inspired and takes you back to when Neo Cortex first started experimenting (and eventually) created Crash. In these levels you rarely touch the ground and have to keep jumping.
To add to the challenge, in order to collect all these tapes in a level, it must be done without dying otherwise you need to restart the level.
Playable new characters
In previous titles, you could only play with Crash and his sister Coco.However, players can now take control of Tawna (Crash's ex girlfriend), as well as villains Dingodile and Neo Cortex. Each of the characters have their own special abilities like rope swinging, a suction gun and scientific dash needed to complete their own levels - which can be found on a separate platform in the different dimensions.
Now that you’ve got the knowledge, it’s time to shop! Head to gumtree.co.za or your Gumtree app (click for Apple & Android), and don’t forget to use your location settings to find local service information close to home.
