Crash Bandicoot: Warped

Like prior installments in the series, Warped corresponds of two main modes of gameplay: a hub room and the levels. The hub room is named the Time Twister, and is break up into five areas, each including five levels and a boss fight. At the beginning, only one area in the hub is available, but more are opened as the areas are accomplished. The levels emphasizing Crash, mostly follow the straight forward gameplay seen in earlier games in the series, but other modes, such as traveling across a biplane, jet ski, tiger, and motorcycle can be seen along with this. Another new feature is the ability to gain new abilities by conquering a boss. These skills are a tougher belly-flop, a doubled jump, a longer spinning attack, quicker running speed and a bazooka which fires wumpa fruit.

There are a total of 32 levels in Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped, leaving out bosses and the two levels which have two different gates. There are levels based on the Middle Ages, ancient Egypt, underwater, the future, the Pacific ocean and many others. Neither of these is needed for 100% completion, and by acquiring the gems and relics in each, up to 104% can be completed. When taking 30 Relics with no sapphire relics an extra gem can be obtained from Coco in the Time Twister, totaling 105%. There are five bosses that can be accessed after the completion of a hub. Therefore, the five levels of that hub must be accomplished.

Any level contains a Crystal, a Relic, and either one or two Gems, excluding boss levels. The hidden levels do not include any Crystals. It is essential to collect all 25 Crystals during the game to win. Crystals are generally found approaching the end of each level, and are hard to avoid. Relics are obtained for successfully performing time trials . There are 30 Relics during the game. Clear Gems are received by smashing every box in each level. Also, some levels include Colored Gems, which are received when a level's secret area is completed. A few levels contains Gems which are earned by executing a task, such as winning a race. Gems are not profitable, but are required to achieve 100% completion of the game. There are 45 gems in Warped.

Crash Bandicoot: Warped also features a new Time Trial mode, in which a level must be raced through in the quickest time imaginable. Boxes are placed during the levels that are able to pause time for one, two, or three seconds. A Sapphire or Gold Relic will be deserved if the given time is overcome. In addition, there are Platinum Relics and developer times set by the Naughty Dog and SCEA testers.

The sound also gets you pushed to play, particularly the vicious drum beats when you're charging through a level with the invincibility mask. Other audio effects from the boiling lava and the pterodactyls will keep you entranced and pleased throughout attractive texture maps plus equally excellent animation and effects.

In terms of difficulty, Warped does move towards to the relaxed side. It can be beaten by most expert players in an afternoon. However, it'll take days to really complete the game, finding all of the items, and complete the Time Trial mode. Simple as it may seem, the time trial mode really does a lot to rise the game's longevity.

Unquestionably the coolest platform game for the PlayStation, Crash Bandicoot: Warped spins out of control with insanely compelling gameplay, gorgeous graphics, and some of the coolest Bandicoot moves and vehicles ever. Anyone who appreciated the first two games won't be frustrated, and if you've never played a Crash game before, you're in for a genuine treat. Highly recommended.

Marco Cecilio, NoobFeed