Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortexby Vivendi Universal
Platform: Xbox
ESRB Rating: Everyone
ASIN: B00005Y3ZW
Check price @ amazon.com
Amazon.com Review: Crash Bandicoot, the famous marsupial video-game icon, comes spinning into yet another solid action platform game in Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex. This is the first true platform game for the Xbox, and is suitable for cartoon-action lovin' fans of all ages.
Evil is at an all-time decline, so Crash's arch-nemesis Dr. Neo Cortex is designing the ultimate weapon: Crunch, the extra-evil-bio-engineered-super-bandicoot! In order to complete Crunch, the good doctor needs more power--the kind of power that only evil, renegade voodoo masks can provide. Enter the Elementals.
Set free by the evil voodoo mask Uka Uka, the Elementals control various aspects of the environment. They are so powerful, and so dangerous, that they almost destroyed the Earth once, and were sealed in special crystals to protect the Earth from certain doom. Uka Uka believes that by harnessing the power of these evil masks, Dr. Cortex will have all the power he needs to complete Crunch, and finally finish off Crash.
So once again Crash returns to his crystal-collecting, box-bashing, bad guy-spinning ways. Can he stop the masks? Will he defeat Crunch? Only time, and your weary game-playing hands, will tell.
The Wrath of Cortex is the hardest game in the series' history. There are 30 levels, seven different vehicles, bonus levels, and a time-trial mode. As you progress through the game, you fight five bosses. Each time you defeat a boss, you unlock a new move (double jump, bazooka, tiptoe, Crash dash, and death tornado). Although the coolest feature is that you get to play as Crash's sister Coco on some levels.
The game is good, but is it perfect? The graphics are solid, but not much of an improvement over the PlayStation2 version--the game definitely doesn't take full advantage of the Xbox's hardware. Also, the long load times for levels can be annoying. Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex was not developed by Naughty Dog, the company that started the series. The game, while faithfully following the traditional feel of the series, misses some of the polished quirkiness that Naughty Dog is known for.
Bottom line: The Wrath of Cortex is a great game for all ages, and will give you 40 or more hours of solid gameplay. --Bryan Karsh
Pros:
Play as Coco
Seven vehicles
Fun new moves
Cons:
New developer, new feel--it needs a little getting used to
Long load times
Good, but not great graphics--doesn't really look like an Xbox game
Amazon.com Product Description: Having been defeated one too many times, Dr. Neo Cortex has developed a super-secret plan to finally rid himself of his archnemesis, Crash Bandicoot. He discovers the resting place of the Elemental Powers, and unleashes their destructive energies on Earth.
Customer Reviews:
Fun for all ages, but a bit too hard for the younger kids, October 27, 2002
Reviewer: Walter Reade from Appleton, WI United States
The game is average in just about all aspects: graphics, gameplay, and storyline. The game doesn't provide anything over the standard Mario-type-smashing-crates-and-collecting-fruit game, but is still fun, nonetheless, and provides a good amount of play time. Many of the levels are too challenging for younger players. There are some levels where the player "dies" by missing a jump, falling into water, and drowning. I thought the image of the character floating face down in the water wasn't appropriate for younger kids. For the most part, though, it will provide entertainment for all ages.
Awsome game, October 9, 2002
Reviewer: sam
this game is very cool with great grphics. crash gets to use many different veichles and gets different moves as u get further into the game. I was a little dissapointed with the loading time for PS2. But when i got it for X-BOX i was very happy with the decrease of loading time. This game is the best adventure game i have ever played!!!
Same Fun Game, 25 new levels and crystals to collect!!, October 7, 2002
Reviewer: Bryan from Omaha, NE USA
What is there not to like about Crash? His goofy grin, odd tricks, and weird since of saving the world make him the perfect Super Hero! That's what made him and his games sell on the PlayStation. Well, he's back, and better than ever! Only now, he's on Xbox.
For those of us who loved the first 3 Crash games, it was a heavenly joy when Microsoft announced that PlayStation's best selling super hero would be making his way onto the Xbox. And make it's way it did, as Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex is the best yet, and is up there with the best games Xbox has to offer. Here's why I bought this game, and why you need to do so QUICK.
1. What makes this game so great to begin with is the 25 fun filled levels. Fly a plane, power a submarine, or just skate across the level to get the crystal. So much variety in each warp room means each crystal you desire will require a different skill to get it. Control all kinds of machinery and battle through all kinds of conditions. So many crystals, so few lives! Can u defeat the game?
2. The awsome graphics and easy controls: This game, as cartoonish as the cover may look, puts a new theme in cartoony graphics. Everything from the past 3 games is jam packed into here including collecting peaches for lives (need 100), TNN boxes, warp rooms, and oombagas. Only with better graphics. This game will feel just like your PlayStation did back in the day. Similarities are easy to find, including the controls (which keep the same basic moves). All this plus 16 games files to save your game, you'll be trying to beat it over and over and over...
Finally, it just brings back old memories. Same controls, tricks, and the basic gameplay make you feel at home in the game right away. Great to just hang around and play swapping the controls with a friend(s), this game will keep you entertained for hours upon hours. Don't miss out on this wonderful game, get it now, and bring back fun memories!
Extremely difficult, but a very good game!!!!, August 6, 2002
Reviewer: An 11-year old gamer
This is a awsome game, but it is very hard. So if you like adventure and difficulty you will like this game. The graphics are cool and so are the levels. so you'd better get this game!!!!!
Awsome game but difficult!, August 4, 2002
Reviewer: Justin Lindo from Swansea, MA USA
This game rocks! You get to use awsome gadgets to get you through the levels. Plus the things that try to stop in the levels. I am talking to everyone, THIS GAME ROCKS!!!!!!
Crash plays a tough game!, July 16, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer from Hercules, CA
When I bought this game, I thought that it would bem fun and easy to beat. Boy was I wrong...the game is fun...for a while, but it is very hard. Each level is 3D, and some of the camera angles are horrible. Anyway, this game will give you lots of fun, but frustrating hours of good gameplay.
Graphics get 5 stars
Sound gets 4 stars
Gameplay gets 4 stars
Controls get 3 stars
Overall, I'd buy this game if you love Crash (like me) and are a good gamer (not like me).
BEST GAME EVER!!!, May 31, 2002
Reviewer: An 11-year old gamer
OH YEA!!! MY FAVORITE BANDICOOT IS BACK!!! THIS GAME ROCKS!!! MUCH, MUCH, MUCH etc. LESS LOADING TIME THAN THE PS2 ONE! ON THE OTHER HAND THE LEVELS AND 2ND BOSS ARE KINDA HARD (I BEAT HIM AFTER A WHILE). A MUST, MUST, MUST etc. BUY FOR CRASH LOVERS!!!
Great game, but frustratingly difficult, May 27, 2002
Reviewer: Michael John Gariti from Pittsburgh, PA USA
This is similar to Sonic Adventure for DC. However, as easy as SA was; Crash is hard. The side-scrolling sections aren't bad, but the 3D ones (character running toward/away from the camera) can be tough to judge, particularly when leaping over a pit. Every level has 5 sections: 1+4 are 3-D adventure stages, 2+5 involve a vehicle (2 same as 5, but different for each stage), and in 3 you play as "Bonzai," a new female Bandicoot developed for this game. You won't get through it in a day, but you'll convince yourself that you can beat it if you just give it "one last try."
AN OLD FRIEND RETURNS!, May 27, 2002
Reviewer: Michael Grant from Sterling Heights, Mi USA
There are some things in life that just help keep things FUN (albeit frustrating at times). One of those things is a Crash Bandicoot game. I've played the first two offerings for the PSX but have basically stayed away from Crash since then. But my trusty old Xbox needed something new so I decided to give CRASH BANDICOOT: THE WRATH OF CORTEX a try.
Any gamers familiar with the old Crash games will find the controls and graphics as reliable as ever. The formula also is solid (5 stages per level - 5 levels in all) giving players the ability to choose where they go in each level. Levels vary from basic platforming to running from charging onslaughts to vehicle levels to underwater levels to battling bosses. Some of the levels are a cake-walk while others will leave you with "rage building!" (I like to throw my controller and utter some favorite words). The most frustrating apect on this new offering (and the only downside) are certain levels that leave the player with tricky camera angles and poor depth perception.
Aside from merely winning a level and getting your gem, Crash allows numerous areas for repeat playing:
1) Find and destroy every crate per stage (harder than you think) to get a BONUS GEM! Collecting all these gems opens up new areas.
2) Getting through certain stages without dying to open up a Death Gauntlet where hidden gems await. These hidden gems will then open up new stages on other levels.
3) TIME TRIAL! Try to conquer a level in record time. The game saves all times and completing all 25 levels this way opens up even more hidden wonders.
All in all, Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex will keep any platform gamer happy for days (weeks if you're not very good). It's not the greatest game in the world but it does manage to capture the two key essentials of any good game...
IT LOOKS GOOD AND IT'S FUN!
its a good game, May 8, 2002
Reviewer: Andrew from Rice Lake, WI
this is a pretty good game. it has nice graphics, but they r not the best. thats one of the reasons it lost a star. ive only played the first part but so far it is pretty easy , theres another reason. the cortex guy makes some big bandicoot that trys to kill crash and you have to stop him from killing u.duh. and kill him i think. the controls r good. if u really want this game i would reccomend this but i personally think that there are better games out there for your money.
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