By Ben Harris
After almost a decade long absence, everyone’s beloved bandicoot, Crash, is returning to a PlayStation console. This comeback isn’t in the form of a brand new game, but rather a compilation of remasters of the first three Crash Bandicoot games. This assortment is titled Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy, including Crash Bandicoot, Cortex Strikes Back and Warped. These gems are considered to be PS1 classics and are still beloved by many gamers around the world today.
This collection is not a full remake of the popular trilogy, but the gameplay has been rebuilt and improved while the graphics have received a new gen upgrade. Some new gameplay features have been added too, making this more than just a nostalgic journey for fans.
Release date
Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy has a UK release date of June 30th 2017, exclusively for the PS4, so players can spend their summer returning to the Wumpa Islands. This release date is the same for the rest of the world. It’s also worth noting that the game will not be a full priced release. You can find it on Amazon for just £30, for example.
Story
Fans who played the three original games may still be aware of the series’ plot synopsis, but a basic rundown is that Crash travels through various levels to stop Dr. Neo Cortex, the main antagonist, from a certain evil plan of his. Other characters and villains also appear throughout, from Crash’s sister Coco Bandicoot to the evil entity known as Uka Uka.
No changes have been made to any of the games’ narratives. However, story cutscenes have been updated using the new HD graphics. New dialogue has been recorded due to this also, meaning that the remasters will truly have a modern feel to them.
Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy trailer:
Gameplay
Despite a new gen rebuild of the gameplay, the classic Crash platforming gameplay remains in the N.Sane Trilogy. Players will experience the familiar, simple controls of jumping and spinning throughout a variety of levels as Crash. Each level will consist of defeating enemies, smashing crates and collecting items. Oh Wumpa Fruits, how you’ve been missed!
Some new features have been added to try to make the games’ formula more up to date. These features include unified checkpoints, pause menus and save systems, all of which will be very helpful and are arguably much needed.
A new game mode has been included in the N.Sane Trilogy also, in the form of a time trial mode. This mode was seen in the original version of Warped, which is in this collection, and was well received, so its inclusion in the first two games should be welcomed. It should also provide players with more replayability.
Graphics
The main appealing factor of the N.Sane Trilogy is the updated, new gen graphics. Back in the PS1 days, Crash graphics were praised as being some of the best on the console in an era where 3D rendered graphics had recently revolutionised gaming. On the PS4, these graphics have been upgraded to fully 3D rendered HD graphics, creating detailed, colourful characters and environments. It’s certainly very appealing to the eyes.
Updated animations and audio across each game have also been added. For the wealthy owners of a PS4 Pro also, they will be able to experience Crash Bandicoot in full HD 4K resolution. Platforming has never looked so good.
First impressions
Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy looks to be a nostalgic journey which fans of the original games will embrace with open arms. The updated gameplay and graphics should also help Crash appeal to a new generation of gamers. Young PS4 owners will love the simple platforming and the colourful environments, just as was the case with the young PS1 owners of the 90s.
There’s hope that positive sales upon this collection’s release will create a high possibility of brand new Crash games being developed. For now though, players will soon be able to sit back and revisit their childhoods with PlayStation’s bandicoot mascot through three iconic adventures.
