Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex

"Cortex's wrath is NOTHING compared to mine, believe me..."

Platform games have always been system sellers. Nintendo has Mario, Sega has Sonic, Microsoft has... okay, so maybe it doesn't always work out that way, but it usually does, anyway! I'll admit that I'm one of those types... when I hear of a new very good or great platformer, I can feel my unhealthily rapid sweat drenching my tongue in anticipation. This is why I've always enjoyed the Crash Bandicoot games, ever since I first popped in my Playstation demo disc and played the level of the first Crash that was available. I was hooked ever since, by the bonus boxes, the hilarious, cartoony animation, the flawless controls, and the varied-but-silly enemy types... and, of course, the crazy emotions that highlight Crash's face oh-so-often in any of his games. I enjoyed the 3 PS Crash platformers for these reasons and more... and when I was given a copy of his first PS2 pit-hopper, my optimistic excitement was immeasurable.

Perhaps those key elements aren't missing... well, most of them, anyway. The boxes are all over and well and cleverly (especially when jumping across bottomless gaps) placed, Crash still is fairly amusing, and the enemy types don't repeat themselves to the point of tediousness. However, the controls take more than a little too long to respond, the graphics aren't as crisp and hilarious as a PS2 Crash should be, and... well... the good factors are basically everything we've already seen before. Much like his third platformer, Crash acquires new abilities (pretty much the same ones, I might add) by defeating bosses, and there're gems (mostly a bonus sort of thing) and jewels (necessary to go on) to be found in each level... but the thing is that with those third installment coincidences, as well as the less-than-quality controls and overall lack of just about ANYTHING new (except for a few random vehicles), Wrath of Cortex sums up to a big disappointment, in the end... and something that we've already seen and played before, and experienced with a lot more pleasure.

Also adding to the game's list of annoyances are the way the enemies threaten Crash from level to level. You'll hear enough lame jokes about being orange and basically... destroyed that you'll want to shut the game off right then and there. Also, the witty and delightfully-comical one liners you'd normally expect out of Dr. Cortex and his baddies are gone, replaced by stupid threats similar to the ones mentioned earlier. Crash's friends are similar in that they all are pretty much one-dimensional, acting way too serious for a game that's obviously SUPPOSED to be for pure pleasure. Let's also mention that the music is uninspiring and flat, and the level selection tune is pretty much the same as... well... you'll recognize it when you hear it, if you've already played the Crash games. It is apparent that the current programmers of the Crash series aren't interested in coming up with new environments, actions, goals, or INNOVATIONS in general for our #1 bandicoot buddy... he's been left out in the cold (even though he's a warm-climate animal), to deal with a second rate version of his first rate quests.

If you're new to Crash platformers, my suggestion is to buy his 3 Playstation masterpieces (especially in that order, to notice the technical evolution of the three... though the second one may have the edge in the fun factor department) and avoid being hit in the wallet by this lazy attempt at recapturing the magic of the former trilogy. There seems to be a reason why Sony's letting their former game mascot appear on other systems...

... But perhaps someday... the ''developed and created by Naughty Dog'' line will pop up once again, and there'll be a Crash much greater than even his quite inspiring, earlier adventures. ... Well, hey, a gamer can dream, right?

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 09/01/03