Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
- October 18, 2022
- Hardsuit Labs
- 7h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on PS StoreCrash Bandicoot™ 4: It’s About Time is now on Steam, following Crash and Coco on a time-shattering adventure to save the multiverse from Neo Cortex and N. Tropy. With new abilities, playable characters, alternate dimensions, and epic bosses, this game promises an action-packed experience with the same classic charm. Get ready to bend the rules of reality and restore order to the universe.
Nintendo Switch
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Reviews
- The game captures the essence of the original trilogy while introducing fresh mechanics and characters.
- Visually stunning with vibrant graphics and well-designed levels that are engaging and fun to explore.
- Offers a challenging experience that rewards skill and perseverance, making it satisfying to complete.
- The difficulty spikes significantly, especially in the later levels, making it frustrating for casual players.
- Hidden boxes and gems are often placed in unfair locations, requiring guides to find them, which detracts from the exploration experience.
- The N. Verted levels feel like unnecessary padding, as they mirror existing levels with minimal changes, adding to the grind.
- gameplay289 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Crash Bandicoot 4" is a blend of classic platforming mechanics and innovative new features, such as the introduction of quantum masks that add variety and complexity to the experience. While many players appreciate the fluid controls and creative level design, some criticize the game's difficulty spikes and the sometimes frustrating mechanics that can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of the original trilogy while offering fresh challenges and engaging gameplay.
“Taking it as a linear platforming journey from start to finish, it's an exciting and engaging journey with unique mechanics, beautiful worlds, and a solid difficulty curve.”
“The addition of new mechanics, such as quantum masks, adds variety to the gameplay, offering players new ways to interact with the environment.”
“The gameplay is fresh and also very fast.”
“As a result, the level design from a gameplay perspective comes across as bland and predictable.”
“I cannot believe the developers of this game - who are clearly very capable of creating intricate levels with varied mechanics and incredibly tight controls - somehow signed off on a few little things that make getting 100% completion a tedious, frustrating mess.”
“The gameplay feels scuffed and not very fun compared to the older generation of Crash Bandicoot games.”
- story156 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of the game is generally described as lighthearted and fun, fitting well within the Crash Bandicoot universe, with nostalgic elements and charming cutscenes that enhance character development. While some players appreciate the humor and visual appeal, others find the plot to be simplistic and at times inconsistent, with a mix of old and new characters that may not always serve a clear purpose. Overall, the narrative is seen as enjoyable for casual play, though it may not meet the expectations of those seeking a deeper or more complex storyline.
“The story is lighthearted and fun, fitting perfectly within the Crash Bandicoot universe.”
“The story brings back a vibe matching those older games, upbeat and goofy with the ability to laugh at itself and the moments it presents.”
“The core game, the story mode is just fantastic; I loved everything about it – the visuals, the sound, the level design, the cutscenes.”
“The story is simple, big on slapstick and light on exposition.”
“The story is childish and does not keep the player awaiting to see what comes next.”
“The story itself often re-contextualizes and gives unique twists to certain plot threads and character relationships from past games, but I’m not a massive fan of the story premise.”
- graphics144 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, vibrant colors, and fluid animations, effectively blending cartoonish charm with modern design elements. Many reviewers noted the impressive level of detail and unique environments, although some expressed concerns about the busy art style occasionally hindering gameplay clarity. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant highlight, contributing to an engaging and aesthetically pleasing experience.
“The graphics are beautiful, the movements are fluid, and the mechanics are improved over the previous games.”
“Graphically, the game is stunning; all the character designs are nailed, everyone looks the part, and the environments you traverse are just as beautiful.”
“The graphics here are gorgeous as well, with lots of attention to detail, bright and colorful, and loads of cool places to visit with lots of wow-factor.”
“All they had to do was make a Crash game with better graphics... why are they trying to punish us?”
“The art style is completely off.”
“The fact that I paid €39.99 for this game, I am disappointed that the game developers failed to capture the essence of what a Crash Bandicoot game is all about; the art style and characters are so off compared to the original series on the PlayStation.”
- music63 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its vibrant and dynamic soundtrack that features unique themes for each level, while others find it lackluster and forgettable compared to the original trilogy. Some players appreciate the nostalgic callbacks to previous soundtracks, but feel that the new compositions do not leave a lasting impression. Overall, while the music enhances the gameplay experience for some, it falls short for others who expected more memorable tracks.
“The music, the visual style, the effort put into the animations; they went to great lengths to emulate the feel of the original trilogy and pay extensive homage to it.”
“The sound and music are wonderful, especially with how some levels incorporated changing music as you progressed.”
“The soundtrack is fantastic, still feeling like the Crash games of yore while being their own thing.”
“The soundtrack seems like a massive afterthought - it's completely forgettable.”
“It is the weakest soundtrack in the series with very generic sounding tracks that don't really leave a mark.”
“The biggest downgrade this game has is the music.”
- grinding60 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious and frustrating, particularly when attempting to achieve 100% completion. Players often find themselves repeatedly replaying levels to locate hidden boxes, with many expressing that the design choices lead to a monotonous and unnecessarily challenging experience. While some enjoy the added mechanics, such as rail grinding, they often feel these elements contribute to an overall sense of grindiness rather than enhancing gameplay.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“I cannot believe the developers of this game - who are clearly very capable of creating intricate levels with varied mechanics and incredibly tight controls - somehow signed off on a few little things that make getting 100% completion a tedious, frustrating mess.”
“This game is one of the most grindy things to 100%. The collectibles require a lot of repetition and flawless runs that will test your patience and skill to the max.”
“The result is it just felt like playing the same level twice for completion, which was tedious.”
- humor35 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending slapstick moments and clever nods to previous titles, which delights both new and long-time fans. While some players find certain design choices frustrating rather than funny, the overall tone remains light-hearted and silly, with amusing character interactions and entertaining cutscenes. The game successfully captures the whimsical spirit of its predecessors, making it a charming and enjoyable experience.
“The narrative is filled with humor, slapstick moments, and nods to the previous games, making it a delight for long-time fans.”
“The writers clearly put a lot of effort into filling this game with funny moments - point being it makes us laugh for different reasons.”
“The storyline and the characters are very funny, just like the first three games.”
“The game is good, but it's not funny at all.”
“I found the humor to be lacking and not engaging.”
“The jokes fell flat and didn't resonate with me.”
- character development18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is marked by vibrant and expressive character designs that resonate with fans, showcasing a blend of cartoonish aesthetics and detailed animations. While many praise the updated visuals and the addition of new characters that enhance gameplay, some players feel that the character designs stray too far from the original series' charm, leading to mixed opinions on their overall appeal. Despite the stunning graphics and engaging environments, the narrative and character progression are perceived as lacking depth, with some players finding the story tedious and unoriginal.
“Overall, I'd say the only thing this game really has going for it is the impressive visuals, cutscenes, and interesting character development.”
“The new masks/characters add a different flavor when it comes to platforming which was needed; the art and character design are the best they've ever been, and most of the levels are true to the original games being challenging, but not exceedingly hard (with some exceptions).”
“At a minimum, the new character designs are definitely far more animated and expressive, which is a big plus.”
“I don't even like the character designs.”
“I do not like the character design overall; Crash looks too bright compared to the older character designs in the series.”
“Character design is mostly the same with a more cartoonish tone; I personally don't mind, Crash was always a kids' game despite what 30-year-old boomers think, but I am not a fan of Cortex's design.”
- replayability17 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers strong replayability due to its meticulous level design, multiple paths, and the introduction of new playable characters with unique playstyles. While some players appreciate the added challenges and hidden elements, others feel that certain design choices may detract from the experience. Nevertheless, the combination of engaging gameplay and vibrant settings ensures that players will find plenty of reasons to revisit the game.
“The level design is meticulous, with multiple paths, hidden gems, and time trials that encourage replayability.”
“The levels being memorable, well designed, and fun to explore also adds to the replayability.”
“Controls are tight, level design is top notch, and replayability is the best in the series, no doubt.”
“Forced replay value for anyone not following a guide.”
“What seemed like fun additions back then retroactively ruined replayability, a big component of the series, by trivializing levels designed around only the base movement abilities.”
“Verted levels feel like too much, but add up to the general replayability so it's something to appreciate from the developers (unless you're too frustrated by playing them while getting the 100%).”
- optimization15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization receives mixed feedback; while some players praise its smooth performance and visual appeal, others report clunky movement and occasional hitches, suggesting that certain levels may lack proper optimization. Notably, the game performs well on the Steam Deck, indicating a solid optimization for that platform.
“I had no crashes or performance issues.”
“The game looks beautiful and is perfectly optimized.”
“Smooth game, very difficult and satisfying levels, the art style is so beautiful, the gameplay is so smooth, and very well optimized performance.”
“The remastered trilogy was good, but it had the excuse of being made 10+ years ago. This was made not long ago by people in China who do not understand what makes a platforming game fun to play. The movement is clunky, the game hitches at weird times (probably because it's a terrible port, maybe DRM, or maybe it's just not optimized; hard to say).”
“There seems to be a lack of optimization in some levels (Stage Dive and Off Beat, to name a few), where my PC goes full-on even though it's kind of high-end for this game.”
“The music is forgettable, the characters are not at all memorable, and are lacking in the personality they had in the other games, owing to the replacement of the principal voice cast and the recreation of Crash's girlfriend from the first game as a girlboss with the Skrillex haircut.”
- stability12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting numerous glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, such as clipping issues and unresponsive elements. However, some users have noted that the game runs smoothly on platforms like the Steam Deck, indicating that performance can vary significantly depending on the system. Overall, while the game features creative design and engaging mechanics, it could benefit from additional polish to address its stability issues.
“Graphically, the game is stunning. All the character designs are nailed, everyone looks the part, and the environments you traverse are just as beautiful. It's intensive on the GPU for sure, but it still runs great, so they nailed this.”
“I am buying and playing this for the third time because it is a great game and because it also runs great on the Steam Deck now that it's finally on Steam.”
“Runs great on the Steam Deck. I've had no issues and didn't do anything special to get it to run.”
“Too many glitches.”
“The game is a bit buggy though; I found numerous bugs involving random clipping into walls, getting warped downwards to my death, clipping out of bounds once, and breaking the entire level. It could've used a bit more polish in that regard.”
“Glitches and bugs are your disadvantage, and while I understand that old games had these issues, in this game they're so weird and annoying that they can disrupt your momentum, causing you to panic while trying to maintain a stable run.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 89 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a strong emotional response to the game, with some players expressing frustration and disappointment due to technical issues and gameplay mechanics that detract from enjoyment. Conversely, others reflect on nostalgic feelings, with one player mentioning that the game evoked tears due to fond memories associated with it. Overall, the emotional experience varies significantly among players, ranging from negative feelings of frustration to positive nostalgia.
“I know this has been shouted into the high heavens by everybody else, but everyone who is warning you about this is doing an absolute favor for your emotional well-being.”
“I enjoyed Crash; it was such a wholesome, colorful, and joyful game. While staring at the long end credits, I had many thoughts going through my head, but a special thought was: 'Wow... how many people have worked on this game?'”
“Sane Trilogy made me cry because of nostalgia.”
“The emotional depth feels overinflated and tedious, making the grind for any real sense of completion pretty boring overall. The story lacks engagement, and the reasoning for progression is very loose.”
“Levels are excessively long and can be objectively unfair at times, which detracts from any emotional investment in the game.”
“Technical problems persist even on a high-end PC, further diminishing the emotional experience, and while I'm not a huge fan of the character designs, they aren't the worst.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is vibrant and engaging, characterized by bright colors, detailed graphics, and a relaxed seaside vibe that invites players to immerse themselves. The combination of humor, captivating music, and intricate level design enhances the nostalgic charm of the Crash Bandicoot series, making it a joy to explore both visually and interactively. Overall, the atmosphere successfully builds upon the legacy of the earlier games while offering new elements to discover.
“The atmosphere is really well made.”
“The graphic designers have packed an immense amount of details and small animations into every square centimeter, which perfectly illustrate the fundamentally flawed concept of the game, and the four Crash is a joy to look at not only while jumping quickly, but also in a situation where you just stop and soak up the atmosphere.”
“Beautiful, fun, and expands upon the mechanics and atmosphere that made Crash 1 through 3 the legendary games they are; and Crash 4 easily joins the others with tons to collect and complete if you like, many secret levels and different ways to play, and great music that's already stuck in my head.”
“The graphic designers have packed an immense amount of details and small animations into every square centimeter, which perfectly illustrate the fundamentally flawed concept of the game, and the four Crash is a joy to look at not only while jumping quickly, but also in a situation where you just stop and soak up the atmosphere.”
“The story and humor also had the typical Crash atmosphere.”
“The Crash Bandicoot series calls out to you from the store shelf with bright colors and a crazy possum jumping in the intro, creating a relaxed holiday seaside atmosphere.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for being overly reliant on advertising and promotional content, detracting from the overall experience. Many users feel that the game's branding as "Crash Bandicoot 4" misleads players, suggesting a disconnect between expectations and the actual content.
“This game is a wet dream for all those YouTube bots who put up 'all collectible' videos where the first five minutes out of six are a channel intro and ads.”
“By all means, this game could be a fine game with some balancing changes and better advertising about what it actually is, but it shouldn't have been named Crash Bandicoot 4.”
