Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
LOOKING PRETTY GOOD WITH 20 YEARS ADDED TO HIS FUR
rash Bandicoot (the C animal) has been absent from the video game world since 2010’s Crash
BandicootNitroKart2, and fans of the lovable platforming marsupial have been waiting impatiently for return of Sony’s original PlayStation mascot. With CrashBandicootN.
Sane Trilogy, Activision has remastered and repackaged three of the most classic Crash titles to take advantage of modern hardware, and developer Vicarious Visions has given Naughty Dog’s beloved trilogy an absolutely gorgeous renovation.
The visuals are improved even further by the PS4 Pro, which features enhanced textures and lighting, and bumps the resolution up to 1440p (unfortunately, the game stays locked to 30fps in either version). Crash’s fur in particular looks incredibly detailed, reacting realistically to sunlight and wind. Along with the updated graphics, N.
SaneTrilogy also boasts remastered music, rebuilt 3D models and new animations.
Actually, that’s only half true. Crash hasn’t simply been glossed over or given a good wash, he’s been totally rebuilt from the sneakers up. Nice to know, but how does the gameplay stack up after all these years? Surprisingly well, actually.
Those unfamiliar with Crash’s unique brand of soul-crushing, precision-based platforming may be tempted to throw their controller at the TV on more than one occasion (particularly on some of the first game’s more punishing levels), though they’ll probably find themselves determined to keep playing until they’ve achieved success, wearing their controller to bits in the process.
Things ease up a little with Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, allowing players to do a little more exploring for hidden passages and those elusive gems. The second game also brings some added polish into the presentation, with a more fleshed-out story that features cutscenes and voice acting.
The package rounds itself out nicely with Crash Bandicoot 3:
Warped, which is perhaps the most forgiving title in the trilogy, even if its vehicle levels will likely have you tearing your hair out in frustration.
As a nice bonus, each of the games can be played almost entirely as Crash’s younger sister, Coco – a character who originally became playable in the third instalment. She’s doesn’t do anything different to her brother, but we’re not going to knock the option of being able to pick her.
Fun and challenging in equal measure, CrashBandicootN.Sane
Trilogy does a fine job of bringing the mascot to a new generation of players and to those nostalgic for the punishing old days of 3D platformers.
ABOVE Bandicoots don’t eat fruit, they mostly enjoy insects and larvae. What Crash and Coco do with all of the wumpa fruit is still a mystery, even in 1080p