Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
GETTING THE BANDICOOT BACK TOGETHER. $69.95 | PS4 | www.crashbandicoot.com
HAVING BEEN ABSENT from the video game world since 2010’s Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2, the return of Sony’s original PlayStation mascot has been highly anticipated by fans of the lovable platforming marsupial. With Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Activision has remastered and repackaged three of the most classic titles in the franchise, giving the beloved trilogy an absolutely gorgeous modern-day sheen. 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, the N. Sane Trilogy also boasts remastered music, rebuilt 3D models and new animations. That’s all well and good, but how does the gameplay stack up after all these years? The answer to that question is... 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 telly on more than one occasion in the first game, though they’ll probably find themselves determined to keep playing until they’ve achieved success. Things ease up a little with Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, allowing players to do a little more exploring for hidden passages and gems. This game also brings some added polish to 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 franchise’s third instalment. Fun and challenging in equal measure, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy does a terrific job of bringing this once-mighty mascot to a new generation of players and to those nostalgic for the good old days of 3D platformers.