Introduction
Crash is back with another review. This time, we are going to collect the crystals in Crash Bandicoot 2, Cortex is back with an evil plot. There are new mechanics in this game while building upon the old mechanics. I still hate time trials. Instead of a world map, there is now a hub with an elevator that leads to multiple levels and at the end a boss.
What did I think before playing Crash Bandicoot 2?
Crash Bandicoot 2 has new items, new mechanics, and even new biomes. Off course, do not forget the new death animations. Did you ever get eaten by an orca? Crushed by a giant bear? If you play this game, it will not take long! While there are new graphical assets, the graphics of the Nsane trilogy remain quite the same in Crash Bandicoot 2. For more information, we went to the Wikipedia page.
The Wikipedia page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crash_Bandicoot_N._Sane_Trilogy
It is of course, the same as the previous game, you spin your way around levels to beat up monsters. Crates are also welcome to beat up, but beware, there are new nitro boxes that will kill you. Each world has its own biome where you collect wumpa fruits to gain extra lives.
Rating
I rate Crash Bandicoot 2 with an 8.1 before playing.
While I was very interested in playing this game, the difficulty of the previous game put me on edge a bit.
Story
The story of Crash Bandicoot 2 takes place after the events Crash Bandicoot 1, Doctor Neo Cortex wants the power crystals. However, he has no generals on the planet anymore as he is on a space station. With a ruse, he wants Crash to find the power crystals to save the world, but will Crash find out in time to save the world from the evil Doctor Neo Cortex?
Rating
I rate the story of Crash Bandicoot 2 with a 7.7
While the story is not great, it is much better compared to the previous game.
Gameplay
The gameplay works quite similar to the previous game, however a lot of new elements have been added and a lot of the difficult has been removed from the bosses and some harder levels. This does not mean that this game is easy, there are some nasty levels, especially those filled with bees.
Once again, you will need to collect gems next to the crystals. To get the gems, you will need to complete those pesky time trials or even find them hidden in levels. There are new routes that will lead you to new gems. Collecting the boxes might be hard since you also need to destroy the nitro boxes. At the end of each level, there is a switch that will destroy those pesky boxes.
Rating
I rate the gameplay of Crash Bandicoot 2 with an 8.3
I enjoyed the gameplay less compared to the previous game.
Sound and Graphics
Graphics
This game has amazing graphics, the death animations are back with a lot of enemies that can kill you. The new biomes are fun to explore, but I really hate those bees. They are so fast, you will need the speed shoes from the final boss to outrun them easily.
The flying jetpack levels are also annoying, but not as evil as the bees.
Sound
The soundtracks are great in this game, the voices of the characters are great, however Crash does not talk. I had a lot of fun of seeing and hearing Crash die a lot.
Rating
I rate the sound and graphics of Crash Bandicoot 2 with a 9.7
The graphics of this game are amazing.
What did I think after playing Crash Bandicoot 2?
My wife and I had a lot of fun when playing Crash Bandicoot 2, however there are some difficulty spikes, especially when reaching the third world. The bees, the bees, are horrible, and they announce the difficulty spike. You will die many times while trying to run away from them.
There are also new mechanics, like sliding on ice, which will make jumping harder unless you have the right momentum. There are also places where you can dig under the floor to take down fire spitting plants or even the Super Mario look alike with a hammer.
Rating
I rate Crash Bandicoot 2 with a 9.3 after playing.
While I did enjoy some levels more, I hate the bees.
What are my personal thoughts about Crash Bandicoot 2?
I enjoyed most of the levels in Crash Bandicoot 2, but I stay with my statement, I hate the bees.
Rating
My personal Rating of Crash Bandicoot 2 is a 7.5
I enjoyed the levels more in this game, but the bosses were way too easy!
Last Words
Pros
- Crash 2 has even more ways to kill you.
- Find gems with new routes while also collecting the crystals.
- Destroy the nitro boxes to get new gems
- Spin your way through new enemies, or even fly with a jetpack.
- With new enemies, there are new biomes to explore from the hub.
- The bosses have been made very easy to kill
Cons
- The time trials are still very difficult
- You will still die a lot.
- I hate the bees in Crash Bandicoot 2!
If you like platforming games, then Crash Bandicoot 2 might be perfect you to start playing!
Final Rating
8.6
Let me know what you think of Crash Bandicoot 2 in the comments!
I hope you enjoyed reading this review, I hope to see you in the next review!
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The game still holds up even in 2022 which is surprising!
what a great game it is 🙂
One of the best console classics. Completely agree with cons :/
Tasmanian devil at work.
This game should’ve been easier
Thanks for reviewing this good game.
Played this and Crash Bandicoot 1 way back. Played all three (N. Sane Trilogy) a few years back. Such great games.
sad this game series is stuck with activision
Another Platformer game i did enjoy back in the day. and thank you for giving this a positive review sven
Glad to hear that!
Love that series!
Good review! Run the bees are coming:))
Always loved the art style in the original. It doesn’t look childish like many of the later titles.
It was the era where games got more love and care, instead of most of them being treated as a way to gain money.
Heard of the saga but never played it, looks good
Bees! Not the Beees!
Oh god, the bees!
Cool!
bees 😀
I’ve had this on my wishlist for a while! I was a bit too young to play much of the original games so it would be cool to experience this series! Thanks for the review on it!
I think you will enjoy it!
I hate bees too!
I hate timed sections in games.
Who does not?
crash boom bang
It’s been so long since I played a Crash B. game. I miss this series…
Maybe the new Crash Bandicoot is something for you?
Cooool