Feels way worse than the original but at least it has a remake of the best 3D platformer on the PS1 (crash 1)
The announcement of the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy initially blew my mind, given my fond memories of playing Crash as a kid. The excitement of revisiting these beloved titles was palpable. However, the trilogy primarily served to revise my perception of the Crash games. Sadly, the games didn't live up to the nostalgia. The platforming, which should be the core joy of any platformer game, felt fundamentally flawed.
The main issues with the trilogy stem from its physics and camera angles. The jump mechanics in the game have zero float, which, when combined with camera angles that do not adequately convey the distance to enemies or obstacles, creates a recipe for frustration rather than challenge. This is compounded by level designs that feature overly tight jumps, transforming what could be challenging gameplay into mere irritation.
Although Crash 2 and Crash 3 introduced new moves to Crash's moveset, offering a slight improvement, they were not enough to elevate the games. The additions made the experience slightly better but the games still remained far from the top of any list of satisfying platformers. The fundamental issues with the gameplay mechanics held them back, solidifying their position towards the bottom in terms of platforming enjoyment.
The main issues with the trilogy stem from its physics and camera angles. The jump mechanics in the game have zero float, which, when combined with camera angles that do not adequately convey the distance to enemies or obstacles, creates a recipe for frustration rather than challenge. This is compounded by level designs that feature overly tight jumps, transforming what could be challenging gameplay into mere irritation.
Although Crash 2 and Crash 3 introduced new moves to Crash's moveset, offering a slight improvement, they were not enough to elevate the games. The additions made the experience slightly better but the games still remained far from the top of any list of satisfying platformers. The fundamental issues with the gameplay mechanics held them back, solidifying their position towards the bottom in terms of platforming enjoyment.
If you liked the original three Crash Bandicoot games you’ll have a blast playing these too, because ToysForBob did a wonderful job at making 1:1 remakes in a single package. Additionally, there are two extra levels that were cut from the original games!
These levels were cut for a reason, as they are incredibly longer and harder than the rest of the games.
The graphic improvement is great and bringing these games to PC with a proper port was more than due.
Small things to keep in mind before purchasing:
- There is a bug that locks Crash 1 at 104% completion instead of 105% if Dr. Neo Cortex is defeated before completing the additional DLC level.
- Crash's animations for all three games are shared, which translates to a slightly shorter jump in Crash 1. It's possible to fail some jumps from muscle memory because of this. Some jumps must be done on the edge of the platform, but it’s not that frustrating.
- Crash 3 motorcycle and airplane levels are impossible with keyboard as an input. I had to use a controller to have any chance because it does not take the input and turn towards that direction instantly, instead, it’s a linear ramp-up when the player tries to turn, making tight curves impossible. This does not happen with a controller.
Still, the final work is solid and masterfully remade.
I strongly suggest it to both old and new players as there are never enough good 3D platformers like the Crash games!
7/10
These levels were cut for a reason, as they are incredibly longer and harder than the rest of the games.
The graphic improvement is great and bringing these games to PC with a proper port was more than due.
Small things to keep in mind before purchasing:
- There is a bug that locks Crash 1 at 104% completion instead of 105% if Dr. Neo Cortex is defeated before completing the additional DLC level.
- Crash's animations for all three games are shared, which translates to a slightly shorter jump in Crash 1. It's possible to fail some jumps from muscle memory because of this. Some jumps must be done on the edge of the platform, but it’s not that frustrating.
- Crash 3 motorcycle and airplane levels are impossible with keyboard as an input. I had to use a controller to have any chance because it does not take the input and turn towards that direction instantly, instead, it’s a linear ramp-up when the player tries to turn, making tight curves impossible. This does not happen with a controller.
Still, the final work is solid and masterfully remade.
I strongly suggest it to both old and new players as there are never enough good 3D platformers like the Crash games!
7/10
Played with Metalish