The latest remaster has hit the shelves and our console library. If you didn’t buy this game in its first couple of days after release, chances are that you either had to wait for your physical copy, or you resolved to own the digital version. Either way, most of those who played this classic the first time have surely gone out of their way to relive their childhood frustrations a second time.
Crash Bandicoot N Sane trilogy has, as you might expect from the title, three games included. Developers Vicarious Visions in an excellent fashion lovingly recreated Crash Bandicoot, Cortex Strikes back and Warped. The sound effects are as beautiful as ever and the Polar Bears even cuter than one remembers. It’s all here and its all up to Naughty Dogs standard.
I’d be lying if I said that a slight part of me wasn’t worried that Naughty Dog wasn’t developing the game this time around. These concerns were quickly squashed after playing the game for only a short time. A lot of time and care has clearly gone into this project, and it’s paid off big time.
Crash Bandicoot is a lot harder than I remember. That was pretty much my thoughts as I struggled through the first game. I have a slight OCD, where it just wouldn’t have felt right starting the second of third games without finishing this one and I’m sure I’m not the only one either.
Eventually, I did finish the first game, I may have taken me a while and I may have had some hair pulling moments, but I did it, the victory was mine!
Crash Bandicoot is still that simple yet regarding game it was all those years ago. Those tense moments when you hop from box to box, praying that a checkpoint is just around the corner so you can wipe the sweat from the soaking controller. Everything about this remake too me back to when I first played the game, but in a glorious and clear HD kind of way.
Not only do you get three games for a price under $40/£40 but there are no pay walls here either. Another concern I had when I heard the publishers were Activision, is that I expected some kind of pay wall here. I wasn’t sure how they’d do this or what they do with it. Maybe 99 lives or something stupid like that. But I’m so pleased to say there isn’t a sniff of a pay wall to be found here. The game is exactly as I remember it, and that’s what we all wanted.
The first Crash Bandicoot feels much harder than the other two games included. After completing the first game and moving on quickly, I seemed to fly through the next two games without much difficulty, except for one or two bosses maybe. This could be because I was like a professional after slogging my way through the first game, of this could simply be because they are easier games.
Either way, I’d actually go as far as saying that Cortex Strikes Back and Warped had a deal more love and attention from the developers.
Cortex Strikes Back and Warped feel more polished that the first game. This could again be because the developers were getting into their rhythm after finishing the first game and this is the result. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I’m sure you’ll know what I mean if you’ve also finished the game.
All the mechanics and the feel of the originals can be found in this game. Right down to the odd turning mechanics of the cars and underwater vehicles. These sort of controls can feel a little lost compared to modern AAA titles, but if you went back to the original games, they would feel much the same. That’s what the developers have gone for; they have stuck true to as much of the game as possible. I think this is a fantastic move, and it must have been hard to avoid bringing other mechanics up to date.
Future remasters’s can learn a thing or two from this game. It’s not only giving players what they asked for, but it’s done in a way that sets it’s above the rest. Crash Bandicoot N Sane trilogy sold out in most places within a couple of days, and digital sales have also rocketed. It all goes to show that gamers and fans of series appreciate products created and developed to the highest standard, and there is indeed a large market for remasters.
Retro gaming is far from dead and who can tell what classic games are around the corner. With consoles getting remasters now, it’s safe to say that we can expect a lot more games to be re-released thanks to the success of this trilogy. My only hope is that they are of a similar standard and don’t take the market or its audience for granted. Charging too much or creating something half-baked could be a disaster for any studios looking to grab a quick buck. Take a not from Vicarious Visions and create something for the love of it, that’s my advice.
Here’s hoping Crash Team Racing and perhaps a Crash Bash are just around the corner. The only thing I felt that was missing from the Crash Bandicoot N Sane trilogy was being able to play with friends. That’s no slight on the developers though, they made the game as it was intended and there’s nothing wrong with a bit of hot seating after all.
