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Crash Bandicoot
Text Review
Who knows where they got the idea for a spinning mutant marsupial who, with the help of a floating witch doctor mask, seeks revenge against his mad-scientist creator, but I guess it’s not really relevant. The fact of the matter is that Naughty Dog did it and did it well. Crash Bandicoot is one of the Sony PlayStation’s biggest bestsellers for a reason, after all. For many reasons, in fact.
To start with, just take a good, long gawp at the graphics. Forget those tasty-looking ‘wumpa fruits’ you can collect, the entire game seems good enough to eat. Almost every object has been constructed to avoid geometrical shape and sharp angles, creating a curvier, three-dimensional and much more realistic environment. Each level provides unique glimpses into the game’s various and wildly imaginative creations. From vividly colored jungles to stormy castle battlements, ancient temples to high-tech laboratories, with heroes, villains, damsels in distress, strait-jacketed kangaroos, and Tommy-gun-wielding mobsters, Crash Bandicoot ticks all of the boxes required for any platform adventure. As well as a couple more you’d never even begin to know how to think of.
Though the range of attacks and moves may be simple – one button will jump, one button will spin, one button will bring up your number of lives and wumpa fruit, and the other button will….spin you again – this is a game that cannot be underestimated. Levels can get as tooth-grindingly difficult as any of the big boy games, the ones that value gore and weaponry over anthropomorphic cuteness, so gather up as many lives as you can. You’re going to need them in the long run.
One of the most impressive features of this game is its length. Sony PlayStation was among the first to produce truly meaty titles that could be tackled for months on end, such as Tomb Raider and Metal Gear Solid, but once the storyline is over and done with, there’s not much else to do except begin the entire escapade over again.
With Crash Bandicoot, however, there is plenty of replay value to be found once you’ve completed the game. Every level has a unique gem system, which can be obtained by finishing each one with a “Perfect” score.
Now, when it says “Perfect,” it means “Perfect.” Not only do you have to break open every crate in each level (one of the game’s main objectives and also the alleged reason why Crash is called Crash), you have to do it all without dying. And trust me, it’s much more difficult than you think - particularly when you’re limited to just jumping and spinning.
Yet it’s what makes Crash Bandicoot so addictive, so challenging and so heart-warmingly lovable. As the story unfolds, wacky and unrealistic as it may be, you can’t help but fall for the immersive scenery of the aboriginal fortresses. You can’t help but move cautiously through the darkened ruins and jump every time a spider appears out of nowhere. You can’t stop yourself from feeling terribly attracted to Tawna, the female bandicoot who mysteriously appears in every bonus round, despite being held captive by Dr. Cortex. You even can’t help but love Cortex himself, as you explore his twisted mind through his creepy castle, his ingenious power plants and his mutated experiments gone horribly awry.
The series may have become a little tiresome over the years, as more and more titles are cranked out to the masses, but the original source holds the most heart, the most soul, and has been produced with the most effort. Crash Bandicoot is perfect for perfectionists, casuals and nostalgic old fools alike. So embrace the fury within you. Step back into time and explore a true classic.
- Rachel Gosling
Developer: Naughty Dog, Universal Interactive Studios
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platform(s): PlayStation
To start with, just take a good, long gawp at the graphics. Forget those tasty-looking ‘wumpa fruits’ you can collect, the entire game seems good enough to eat. Almost every object has been constructed to avoid geometrical shape and sharp angles, creating a curvier, three-dimensional and much more realistic environment. Each level provides unique glimpses into the game’s various and wildly imaginative creations. From vividly colored jungles to stormy castle battlements, ancient temples to high-tech laboratories, with heroes, villains, damsels in distress, strait-jacketed kangaroos, and Tommy-gun-wielding mobsters, Crash Bandicoot ticks all of the boxes required for any platform adventure. As well as a couple more you’d never even begin to know how to think of.
Though the range of attacks and moves may be simple – one button will jump, one button will spin, one button will bring up your number of lives and wumpa fruit, and the other button will….spin you again – this is a game that cannot be underestimated. Levels can get as tooth-grindingly difficult as any of the big boy games, the ones that value gore and weaponry over anthropomorphic cuteness, so gather up as many lives as you can. You’re going to need them in the long run.
One of the most impressive features of this game is its length. Sony PlayStation was among the first to produce truly meaty titles that could be tackled for months on end, such as Tomb Raider and Metal Gear Solid, but once the storyline is over and done with, there’s not much else to do except begin the entire escapade over again.
With Crash Bandicoot, however, there is plenty of replay value to be found once you’ve completed the game. Every level has a unique gem system, which can be obtained by finishing each one with a “Perfect” score.
Now, when it says “Perfect,” it means “Perfect.” Not only do you have to break open every crate in each level (one of the game’s main objectives and also the alleged reason why Crash is called Crash), you have to do it all without dying. And trust me, it’s much more difficult than you think - particularly when you’re limited to just jumping and spinning.
Yet it’s what makes Crash Bandicoot so addictive, so challenging and so heart-warmingly lovable. As the story unfolds, wacky and unrealistic as it may be, you can’t help but fall for the immersive scenery of the aboriginal fortresses. You can’t help but move cautiously through the darkened ruins and jump every time a spider appears out of nowhere. You can’t stop yourself from feeling terribly attracted to Tawna, the female bandicoot who mysteriously appears in every bonus round, despite being held captive by Dr. Cortex. You even can’t help but love Cortex himself, as you explore his twisted mind through his creepy castle, his ingenious power plants and his mutated experiments gone horribly awry.
The series may have become a little tiresome over the years, as more and more titles are cranked out to the masses, but the original source holds the most heart, the most soul, and has been produced with the most effort. Crash Bandicoot is perfect for perfectionists, casuals and nostalgic old fools alike. So embrace the fury within you. Step back into time and explore a true classic.
- Rachel Gosling
Developer: Naughty Dog, Universal Interactive Studios
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platform(s): PlayStation
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