Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is shaping up to capture the nostalgia that classic Crash Bandicoot games are known for during the height of the franchise. In the latest trailer for Crash 4, publisher Activision and developer Toys for Bob showcased the classic gameplay formula in the new installment, complete with new power-ups, levels, modes, and five playable characters.
Of course, longtime fans of the Crash Bandicoot franchise have been waiting for a game such as Crash Bandicoot 4 to come into fruition. In 2017 and 2019 respectively, Activision revived the franchise with the release of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled, which are full-on remakes of iconic Crash Bandicoot games. Now, for those who are interested in knowing more about Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, here is a breakdown of everything players should know before purchasing the game.
How Crash Bandicoot 4 Fits Into The Franchise's Timeline
Although Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is branded as the fourth main installment in the franchise, it is actually the eighth main game in the overall series. Technically, developers have stopped numbering the games after Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped, which is where things start to get confusing. However, with the remakes of the first three Crash games in N. Sane Trilogy, Activision wanted that game to serve as a soft reboot for the franchise, which is why the upcoming game is labeled as the fourth. This means that Crash Bandicoot 4 is a direct sequel to N. Sane Trilogy, and everything that came after the original Crash Bandicoot 3 is no longer deemed as canon.
Storywise, Crash Bandicoot 4 begins with Dr. Cortex escaping from the time prison that he, Uka Uka, and N. Tropy found themselves trapped in at end of Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped. However, their escape caused a massive rip in the fabric of time and space, and Cortex and N. Tropy discovered that this rift links their universe to the multiverse, leading them to take advantage of it to conquer not only their own universe but all other dimensions.
New Features and Playable Characters
Although the upcoming game's characters will mostly remain similar to the designs established in the N. Sane Trilogy, Toys For Bob has made slight modifications to the appearances of the characters. Some notable characters that were heavily modified are Cortex and Coco, and reception for these changes has been mixed among fans of the remakes. Additionally, there will be four new masks that will each have their own unique abilities and special powerups. These masks are Kupuna-Wa, Ika-Ika, Lani-Loli, and Akano. The developer also revealed that players should expect bosses that are both familiar and new, retaining the vibe for veteran players, while still keeping it fresh and exciting.
For those who are hoping for gameplay faithful to the original trilogy, fans would be happy to know that Crash Bandicoot 4 will retain the linear level style, which the series is known for. However, the way Crash Bandicoot moves in the game has been slightly adjusted as his running has a slight bounce to it. Moreover, players can interchange between Crash and Coco at any time in the main levels of the game, and players can even play as Coco all throughout. Cortex, Dingodile, and Tawna are the playable characters for alternate timeline levels, and each playable character has their own unique playstyle and moves to complete levels and overcome challenging obstacles.
New Game Modes for Crash
Several days ago, it has been revealed that Crash Bandicoot 4 will feature competitive and cooperative modes that support two to four local players. Unfortunately, no online support has been revealed so far, but players will be able to play as Crash, Coco, Fake Crash, and Fake Coco, who is making her debut in Crash Bandicoot 4. The Competitive Bandicoot Battle Mode includes two games for players to enjoy: Checkpoint Race and Crate Combo. On the other hand, the Cooperative Pass N. Play Mode will allow players to work together to progress through the game's campaign levels.
Platforms, Pricing, Release Date, and Pre-Order Bonuses
At the moment, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is only confirmed to release on the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One, and it is still unclear whether the game will be ported to the PC and Switch, or if an upgraded version of the game will be released to the next-generation consoles. Of course, fans who are excited to play through Crash's new adventure would be happy to know that the game is set to release on October 2, 2020. There is also a demo of Crash 4 available to download right now.
As expected, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is priced at $59.99, which is understandable given that it is a brand new game for Crash that propels the franchise's story forward. Players who will pre-order the game digitally will receive the Totally Tubular skins for Crash and Coco. On the other hand, those who will pre-purchase a physical copy at GameStop will receive a cool-looking Minute Glass Timer.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time releases on October 2, 2020, for the PS4 and Xbox One.