Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time Reviews
But it is a beautiful-looking game, and fans of the series will undoubtedly get a serious kick out of being back in control of Crash – even if they will need god-like patience for some of the game’s more trying sections. Its extra content is a let-down though, and the full RRP for a game that most players will be done with in around eight hours leaves a big question mark over whether Crash Bandicoot 4 is a worthwhile purchase. Ultimately, it comes down to how strongly you feel about the franchise.
Faced with a declaration as longing and impatient as "It's About Time," I can't help but think, Is it?
It’s a shame, then, that some of the level design choices don’t really pair up with the engine Toys for Bob has built this love-letter to 90s platforming games in. Loose and floaty physics, an abundance of different mechanics that often feel part-baked, and some design choices that feel sadistic – rather than simply difficult – leave this approach to Crash Bandicoot feeling less like a true sequel, and more like a licensed spin-off.
Crash Bandicoot 4 is visually similar to the classic trilogy, but in terms of gameplay, level design and overall feeling it falls behind Naughty Dog's masterpieces of the past.
Review in Russian | Read full review
If you’re looking for a new platformer to sink time into, this is one you shouldn’t overlook. With amazing visuals, a fun story, and short bite-sized stages, this is a game you can easily pick up and put down.
Crash Bandicoot hasn't changed much, and that's - mostly - a good thing. Some more substantial additions would be more than welcome, as the new things on offer feel underused here - like the mask abilities and the extra playable character, which can only be used in very specific spots and/or levels. The replay value is once again very high, first due to the many collectables, and, second, because of the "your skill is the limit" Time Trial mode. As expected, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time remains as challenging as its older siblings. Mostly because this is…well, Crash Bandicoot, but sadly this also happens because of the much worse perspectives. Fixable by a patch? Hopefully, yes, as it lowers the fun factor quite a bit.
Crash Bandicoot 4 is a raving success when it comes to producing a sequel worthy of the franchise's original trilogy. Any fan should have no hesitations in picking this up. The content on offer is huge, with tons to collect and aim for in every stage, costumes to unlock, different characters to play as, fresh gameplay that compliments the familiar, and bundles of humour and charm. This is not an easy game, however. Getting to the end is one thing, but be prepared for one of the toughest tasks in modern games if attempting to 100% every level. Despite the performance cutbacks on Switch, it runs and looks well enough, but if portable play doesn't matter to you, it might be wiser to opt for one of the other versions.
There are very strange design decisions that make some levels frustrating or just boring. It's still a good game though.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time carries on Crash's story as time-space is in trouble again. Toys for Bob have added a lot to this new Crash and while a lot of it works really well, what doesn't work does let the package down. Crash fans will still enjoy even for the new adventure.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time really is the definitive Crash game. Toys For Bob have taken all the series' trademarks, refined them into a challenging and polished experience and given us tons of levels to play and secrets to hunt for. There's new characters to play as and masks that shake up the gameplay when they appear, but Crash 4 is the same old Bandicoot who's learnt a few new tricks.
A studied recreation of Crash Bandicoot's halcyon days, that does little to innovate the formula but still offers a fun and varied slice of 90s style platforming.
If you just let Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time wash over you, you’ll probably have a great time. But if you want to dig in more beneath the surface, or dress Crash up like a pirate, you’ll be leaving that great time behind.
This latest entry may not feature the inspired level design that made the original trilogy much-loved by fans, but it does undoubtedly feature the best platforming in the history of the franchise.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time resurrects this classic series in an authentic fashion. While a modern adventure with maximum replayability is a godsend for fans, a lot of what made the original Crash games rough around the edges is also present in this iteration, with inaccurate platforming and frustrating difficulty. However, for those looking for a return to form for the Bandicoot, Toys For Bob has proven themselves yet again in this long-awaited sequel.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time delivers the sequel fans would expect, and one that’s really good for newcomers yet the strange twisted hardcore latter portion is a sore spot.
Crash 4 is the kind of retro throwback that actually earns its spot as a successor to the original trilogy. There's the occasional bandicoot stumble, but it's a responsive, precise platformer that looks as good as it plays.
Crash 4: It’s About Time isn’t as much of a rebirth as it is a reminder. The Crash games were a lot of fun and many were able to get into platformers through this franchise alone.
While there are certainly some complex sections, especially with Bonus Stages it is a real stretch to consider this game “hard”. We’ve gotten used to so many games hand holding us that we have become blind to any real challenge. Anything even considered hard is automatically paired with Souls or Cuphead. But anybody who is going to strive for full completion, you are certainly getting your money worth with each level having a “Twisted” version with its own set of gems to collect.
"Get yourself a new mask!"
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is a hardcore game built for a hardcore audience. If you’re in that camp, this might be the game for you