Not long after the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy was released, returning fans of the series began to complain that the games were much harder than they remembered. Then, one fan released a video suggesting why jumps in the Crash Bandicoot remakes may have been much tougher than the original titles they were based on.
That fan theory and the suggestions that Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a much more difficult beast than fans remembered have now been confirmed by developer Vicarious Visions. The developer explains that it "carefully considered the choice to unify the design of these games" in order to offer the "best experience for all players" and the handling of the titular marsupial falls into this category.
Vicarious Visions conducted several rounds of testing and tuned the jump mechanics differently for each game. This ensured that the "jump metrics are the same as the originals," but the developer does note "subtle differences" such as players falling more quickly when they release the X button. Due to a change in collision system, "jumps require more precision than the originals" too. Though the developer points to a "more forgiving save and checkpoint system" for its remake of the first Crash Bandicoot game.
With a Crash Team Racing remake possibly in the cards if the N. Sane Trilogy is successful enough, some will question whether this modernization would impact that game too. Or, would Vicarious Vision take fan frustrations into account with the racing title and try to keep the difficulty exactly the same as fans remember it? Even if the lack of modern controls and systems makes thing awkward?
What is positive, though, is that most fans seem to be relishing the challenge. Having to go back to checkpoints isn't fun in a lot of games but for a lot of Crash Bandicoot players, this is actually part of what makes the series so entertaining. That challenge of learning to pull off a series of daring jumps is just part of the gameplay process.
Difficulty aside, many fans also seem to agree that the trilogy hits all of the right nostalgic notes. From the throwback Crash Bandicoot trailers to the addictive platforming action, Vicarious Visions seems to have done right by fans.
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is now available on PS4.
Source: Vicarious Visions