After so many years, a sequel to Naughty Dog’s classic trilogy is finally releasing.
Throughout the years and various console generations where Activision tried to revive the Bandicoot with sneakers, it’s just after a remaster version of the original trilogy that a direct sequel is coming. After a demo that features three levels and can be beaten in less than an hour, is it finally a worthy sequel?
What can summarize the entire propose of this game is found during the initial dialogues where it is stated that Crash has beaten Cortex 3 times, but it “seemed like more” that’s how its developers tell you their commitment with this sequel but also acknowledge how Activision failed to make a proper adventure with the marsupial.
Then you are immediately set in a platform level, with the same controls and abilities of the original trilogy but also a new mechanic that allows you to slow down time (the final game is going to have many more similar mechanics), it sounds like something that can make the game easier but that’s proven wrong in seconds, this new mechanic becomes a must to overcome obstacles and it has limits for usage, a cooling down counter and also a certain amount of seconds before everything goes back to normal, along with this the second level features an ability to exchange objects between two dimensions and you must have a perfect timing in order to use that mechanic properly and overcome obstacles, in that same level we get the classy section where you must escape from something that persuades you while jumping and avoiding objects that kill you at contact, it certainly respects classy levels, has a proper challenge and embraces what made Crash a classic while also brings new tricks to the tables.
Last but not least, the final level starts with Cortex persuading Crash, his gaming mechanics are entirely different to Crash’s, with clear differences like a gun, a dash, and no double jumping and a proper level design for those mechanics; this level ends with a plot twist, an obstacle you overcame with Crash earlier in this demo turns out to be Cortex’s doing, and this last sequence does nothing but raises hype for what this game will narrate as a story.
Another thing that in trailers may have already caught your attention is the new character designs; despite having released a remastered trilogy with great models not so long ago, they decided to make new ones, a quite brave decision that also backups my previous statement of how they want to honor Crash’s beginnings while also making something brand new.
Some may wonder if this game is as hard and unforgiving as the originals, this time we have two modes, classic and modern; the classic options make this game the same as the originals, with you starting at five lives and losing your progress after they are done while the modern mode replaces that live restriction for a death counter a small change, and yet it makes it way more accessible.
To conclude, Crash Bandicoot 4 It’s About Time looks like Activision’s redemption with the marsupial after multiple attempts that ended up being average at best. I can’t wait to see what crazy adventures does this game carries the Bandicoot with sneakers next!