It’s kind of funny how the Crash Bandicoot series went over the years. Naughty Dog produced the first games in the series, including the first three platforming adventures and the
entertaining CTR: Crash Team Racing spin-off. But then we started to get more offbeat adventures that messed around with the gameplay instead of keeping it simple. Not that Crash
Twin-sanity and Crash of the Titans were bad games, but you could tell things were different.
Alas, Toys For Bob, who did splendid work on Spyro Reignited Trilogy a little while back, decided to go back to basics. And how. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time feels like a natural successor to the original games, with enough new tricks to keep fans entertained. It has its fair share of frustrations (like the earlier releases, natch), but overall it pays off in a big way – and it’s just the kind of platforming bliss we need right now in these tough times.
Back To the Beginning?
The events in the game follow Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped, with Dr. Neo Cortex teaming up once again with N. Tropy to try and make things go his way. But now he’s messing with time, crossing dimensions and just honestly making a real mess. It’s up to Crash and his sister Coco, who’s a mainstay this time, to set things right, with a little help from Tawna and the long-lost Dingodile.
It’s About Time’s storyline isn’t much, but it sets the groundwork for some truly amazing – and mildly difficult – level designs. This feels like a Crash game through and through from the early years, with lots of diabolical challenges to overcome, crates to destroy, and enemies to whip into another realm with your spin dash and belly flops. Oh, and yes, the chase levels are back as well, with a neat new twist that does the original ones justice in a way.
There’s also some new gimmicks as well, including a special suit that allows you to slow down time, as well as another that lets you flip the switch between two dimensions on the fly. Toys For Bob has done an outstanding job integrating these new abilities into the classic level design, and it feels like it doesn’t miss a beat in the least.
Some of the later levels can be downright brutal if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Fortunately, It’s About Time leans into that curve with just the right amount of ramping up, so you don’t feel too overwhelmed. If you get through the early stages with ease (and collecting all the smashable crates too), then you’ll be set to go. Just, um, make sure you prepare to die a bit.
That’s one other neat advantage. You can play either with a limited number of lives or unlimited. Unlimited is the better way to go, though the game does keep track of how many times you bite the dust. It might be a badge of honor for some, or a humiliating factor for others. All the same, it’s a good option to have.
Back To Good Ol’ Gameplay
Challenge level aside, It’s About Time is astoundingly close to how the original games play. Toys For Bob really dialed in that classic Naughty Dog feeling, right down to the effectiveness of the belly flops. Really, they’re quite good. The double jump technique and the special suits really play a part here as well.
In fact, the only thing that feels wrong here is the slide jump, which isn’t quite the same as the original games. You can still use it to a positive effect, but you’ll need to adjust a little bit.
The other characters are great too. Dr. Cortex, who you play in some stages, isn’t the smoothest character. But between him, Tawny and Dingodile (along with Crash and Coco, obviously), there’s a decent amount of variety here. I like how each character plays their part, even if some are stronger than others.
A Spin-Worthy Presentation
I’m also a big fan of the game’s visual aesthetic in general. Crash runs beautifully at around 60 frames per second, and has vivid lighting details and animations that really get into the nature of the character. The cinematics are a lot of fun as well, even if the story itself is a little on the flat side. Overall, dare I say that this is the best looking Crash Bandicoot game that I’ve seen in some time.
The audio is excellent too. The music playing in the background really gets you into the classic Crash mood; the voicework is cornball but still fun to listen to; and the sound effects are ripped straight from the classic games. It’s everything you would want in a platforming gaming experience. Grab your headphones and enjoy.
Woo-bah-gah, It’s Marvelous
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time sure took its sweet, ahem, time getting here. But the wait was worth it, as Toys For Bob has delivered an upbeat, wildly entertaining sequel that’s up to par with the Naughty Dog originals. It’s a little tough in some spots, and certain characters are better than others, but overall it’s a platforming romp that no one should miss.
Now I’m confident that the studio could make a proper Spyro sequel. I’m sure Insomniac Games probably wouldn’t mind seeing it…
