After decades of waiting, a new Crash game is almost here. Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time will release tomorrow (October 2) for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. And, if early reviews are any indication, it was well worth the wait.
Sitting at a pretty 86 on MetaCritic with 29 reviews, most critics seem very happy with the bandicoot's latest outing. Game Informer said that, "At its core, Crash 4 remains rooted to the old ways of doing things, but that's not a bad thing. The visuals are cleaner now and Crash has a few new gimmicks, but if you squint, Crash 4 looks like the same old platformer you've always loved."
Here's a quick rundown of the reviews:
- GamesBeat: 5/5
- GamesRadar+: 4.5/5
- Destructoid: 9/10
- Game Informer: 8.5/10
- IGN: 8/10
- VG247: 3/5
VG247 has one of the more critical opinions about Crash Bandicoot 4, saying that, "…this isn't the Crash Bandicoot you remember." The review goes on, "All the creativity poured into the new masks and gadgets your Bandicoot siblings can mess aoubt with is contrasted occasionally with some bad design." Apparently, some portions of the Crash 4 are the traditional hallways seen in the first three titles – a design that feels out of place on today's consoles. Worse, the reviewer says that "some deaths or completion whiffs [feel] frustrating and mean-spirited."
On the other end of the spectrum is GamesBeat, giving Crash 4 a perfect score. Its review praises the basic design choices – "Compared to the crazy acrobatics of Mario or the high speeds of Sonic, Crash can seem basic. But the beauty is in that simplicity. The best Crash Bandicoot games focus on precision platforming set in beautiful, cartoon-inspired levels."
GamesBeat praises developer Toys for Bob for sticking to the core philosophies of Crash and not trying to turn it into an open-world title or meddle with its winning formula.
If you're a fan of Crash – and have been dying to get your hands on a new game for over a decade – you'll likely find something to enjoy about Crash 4. Most reviews are favorable of It's About Time, and think it's a great return to form for the iconic series.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time releases October 2 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
