A very entertaining game.
Review 225
Released: October 31, 1997
Publisher: SCEA
Developer: Naughty Dog
Game Genre: 3D Platformer
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Story: 30%
Gameplay: 40%
Graphics: 20%
Durability: 10%
Story (8/10)
After being bested by Crash in the first game, Cortex lands in a dark room with a large purple crystal. After a look at the crystal and an evil laugh (or twelve), the game switches back to Crash, who is sent to get batteries for his sister Coco. On his way, he is trapped in a strange room with five portals, in which a hologram of Cortex appears and says that in order to save the world, Crash must obtain 25 crystals.
The story is implemented much greater than in the first Crash Bandicoot. This time, Cortex, N. Gin, or Coco will appear via hologram and update Crash on the situation quite frequently.
Gameplay (9/10)
Following the same idea as the previous game, Cortex Strikes Back includes a new higher jump and a slide tackle, both done by pressing the O button. The fun minigames from the first game are gone, replaced by bonus levels that are not as fun, but challenging. Levels are much longer than in the first, and also much more exciting.
As for the levels themselves, there are five per world. When Crash has collected the crystals from each of these levels he can ride a platform to the next world, fighting a boss on the way. The first three bosses are fairly simple. The fourth is a bit harder, but certainly possible. The final boss battle is utterly impossible.
Graphics (8/10)
Durability (8/10)
Previous Reviews
Crash Bandicoot (6.5/10)
Overall Score (8.4/10)
Rounded Score (8.5/10)