Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure
Score: 90% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Universal Interactive Developer: Vicarious Visions Media: Cart/1 Players: 1 Genre: Action
Graphics & Sound: Just because Crash Bandicoot's latest adventure is on the GBA, doesn't mean it fails to impress or hold its own against his other exploits. Essentially, Crash is split up into three different and highly distinct game and graphical styles. My favorite style had to be the nicely animated and colorful side-scrolling levels...wait, on second thought it's probably the zooming 'classic-Crash' parts where Crash runs towards the screen...wait, now that I really sit down in my rock garden and contemplate it - the best has to be the Iridion 3D-like backpack levels. Awe, hell it's all of them. Needless to say, it looks great and sounds great as well. Although the music can and does get annoying at times, it fits the overall presentation of the game and works.
Gameplay: The evil Dr. N. Cortex has small plans for the world - he's shrunk the entire world into the size of a grapefruit and it's up to Crash to traverse 20 levels in order to collect enough crystals to return the world back into its normal size. This is essentially four games in one. Each of the four worlds is split up into five levels and a boss fight. Each of the five worlds is either a traditional side-scroller, a side-scrolling scuba mission, a Yeti-chase similar to the traditional Crash games, or a Starfox style shooter. Although Crash can be completed in about four hours; there is plenty to unlock in the game. In fact, if you plan on fighting the final boss and the 'true' ending - plan on spending a lot of time on the game.
Difficulty: Crash can be played through in no time at all since simply getting to the end of the level is a snap in most boards. However, completing 100 percent of the game will require some skill - especially when you're trying to destroy all of the boxes in a level. The hardest thing about the game is the lack of an auto-save feature. After each level you can save, but only if you remember to press Start between the boards.
Game Mechanics: Overall, except for a few minor flaws, there's very little to not like about Crash. I'll admit, that I've never been a big fan of the Crash games - but even I loved this game. In fact, it wasn't until I went back and played the PSX versions that I realized how true to the originals this version really is. If you've had your fill of Mario rehashes and a certain blue rodent gets you dizzy, take a look at Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure - it's worth a spin.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
Britney's Dance Beat Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2