Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

"Wait a minute...this is Crash Bandicoot?"

Crash is back, and this time...it's a better adventure! This game is so much more of an improvement over the first one, it's as if it's completely different altogether. But no, most of it is exactly the same. Is it the introduction to Coco, Crash's sister? Is it the crystals you need to collect? Perhaps there's some backwards secret message that flows through the song telling to keep on playing. Well, whatever it is, it sure works!

Gameplay: 10

25 crystals, 42 gems, one big adventure. Crash Bandicoot explores tons of new environments in search of magic crystals. Environments include steamy jungles, frigid tundras, damp swamps, futuristic space stations, and dark sewers. While crystals are easy to find (even though Dr. Cortex explains they are ''well-hidden''), gems can only be discovered if you break all the crates littered about the levels. Some colored gems require even more searching, so you need to keep your eyes open. There are also a few secret levels. All of this and more will have you playing this game until the very end.

Sound/Music: 9

The music is great in this game. Every environment has a different tune that couldn't match the surroundings any better. The sewer levels have a metallic beat, boulder runs have a suspenseful tune to add to the complete excitement and terror (OK, I'm exaggerating), and the swamp levels have this really cool tune that I can't describe, yet fits perfectly into the surrounds. You get the point. As for sound, there isn't a whole lot of variety. Cracks of crates, enemy noises, and sounds of Crash spinning or sliding. That's about the gist of it. Voices, on the other hand, sound pretty realistic. They don't seem as if they were read from a scrpit. They show emotion. Coco, Crash's sister is whiny and demanding, and you can tell because her voice tells you. I think N. Gin's voice is really cool, like a robot's. Overall, the audio effects fit well into this game.

Graphics: 8

Graphics are pretty above average in Crash 2. This game was made, to the best of my recollection, in 1997, so Playstation was still reletively new. Some blockiness here and there, but they succeeded to add in every detail imaginable. When you're walking in the jungle, you can actually tell that it's a jungle. It doesn't look like Crash is walking in a large hallway with the walls painted with trees to make it look like a jungle. Crash himself looks much better. Well, actually, his nose shrank, which is actually a huge improvement. When characters talk, the movement of the mouth pretty much matches what they are saying, instead of moving up and down like so many Anime cartoons you all know and...well, know.

Story: 9

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back. As you can probably tell, Cortex strikes back. To go into a little more detail, it all begins when Cortex stumbles upon a magic crystal. After speaking with N. Gin, Cortex learns that crystals hold tremendous power. Meanwhile, Crash's sister demands that Crash find a new battery for her laptop (which may prove quite impossible on a beach). Crash is then whisked away to a Warp Room while he searches, and a Cortex appears as a holographic image and tells Crash to find 25 more crystals located within the realms of the Warp Rooms. N. Brio, some other dude, also tells Crash to find all the gems, and to stop finding crystals for Dr. Cortex. Who should Crash trust? Is the suspense killing you, BECAUSE IT SURE IS KILLING ME!!! OK, maybe not...but you have to admit it's a pretty cool story. At least Crash doesn't have to save some pathetic, helpless princess.

Replayability: 8

Just like any Super Mario Bros. game, Crash will have you back screeching and rioting for more. Well, if you don't even like Super Mario, this game is still pretty good. Anyway, you can expect to get about 9 or 10 replays on this game before you're totally bored with it, and then even after that you'll probably get the urge to play it again, and then the cycle repeats.

Overall: 9

As you can clearly see, Crash 2 certainly is a great game. Not a classic, but it had its moments. You can find pre-owned ones for 20 dollars or less. If you're ever at a store, why don't you just go ahead and buy this game? I guarantee, you shan't be disappointed.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/19/02, Updated 04/19/02