8 /10 16

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time stands as the direct sequel to the original trilogy, released nearly two decades after Warped left players wanting more. Toys for Bob crafted a game that respects the franchise’s legacy while modernizing every aspect of the platforming formula. With a 76 Metacritic score, critics praised the responsive controls and inventive level design, though some noted the difficulty spikes and mixed reactions to physics mechanics. This review explores why Crash 4 remains one of the finest 3D platformers available, examining its technical performance, gameplay innovations, and lasting appeal for both veterans and newcomers alike.

How to Play Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

Crash 4 extends the classic jump-and-spin formula across 43 main levels spread across alternate dimensions. Players navigate 3D environments blending sidescrolling sequences with perspective shifts, using contextual abilities from Quantum Masks to manipulate reality mid-level. Progression feels organic, with difficulty escalating naturally toward the climactic showdown.

1. Controls – Responsive analog stick movement with precise jumping and spinning attacks feel immediately natural; learning curve favors series veterans but remains accessible to platformer enthusiasts
2. Progression – Complete 43 story levels unlocking alternate N.Verted mirror paths and 21 brutal Flashback levels requiring flawless execution through hidden tape collectibles
3. Combat/Mechanics – Master Crash’s core spin attack while acquiring power from Quantum Masks that temporarily alter level geography, gravity, and enemy behavior in creative ways
4. Tips – Collect all wumpa fruit for 100% levels; practice the timing-sensitive rail-grinding sections early; attempt Flashback levels only after mastering main campaign

Who Should Play Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

Crash 4 appeals to longtime series devotees seeking a genuine trilogy continuation plus demanding platformer fans craving substantial single-player content. The N.Verted mode doubles replayability by offering mirror-image challenges, while local multiplayer battle modes welcome casual players.

• Platformer Enthusiasts – Players who loved the original Crash trilogy or modern 3D platformers like Mario Odyssey will find expertly-crafted level design that feels fresh yet respectful of series fundamentals
• Challenge Seekers – The Flashback levels demand precision execution, offering rewards for mastering the difficult skill-ceiling content that separates casual players from true Crash veterans
• Completion Hunters – 100% completion requires 20+ hours hunting collectibles, alternate paths, and N.Verted challenges providing substantial engagement beyond the 8-hour main campaign
• Skip if – Story-driven narrative players or those seeking modern voice acting emphasis; Crash 4 prioritizes gameplay mechanics over cinematic storytelling compared to contemporary titles

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time Platform Performance

Crash 4 targets 60fps across current-generation platforms with dynamic resolution scaling maintaining performance consistency. PC requires mid-range hardware, while base-console versions exhibit fluctuating frame-rates warranting stable frame-pacing options unavailable in some SKUs.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time System Requirements

PC specifications demand mid-range 2014-era hardware for minimum 1080p 60fps, with recommended specs targeting 1440p ultra settings. SSD storage remains mandatory across all platforms due to game architecture utilizing fast-loading dimensional transitions.

Similar Games to Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

The resurgence of challenging 3D platformers offers numerous spiritual relatives blending exploration with demanding level design. Titles below share Crash 4’s philosophy of accessible mechanics with punishing difficulty options and robust single-player campaigns dominating 60+ hour completion targets.

• Spyro Reignited Trilogy – Toys for Bob’s 2018 remaster offers comparable 3D platforming with collectible-hunting and dragon-breath combat differentiation; similar replay value through difficulty modes
• Super Mario Odyssey – Nintendo’s possession-mechanic platformer rivals Crash 4’s level design creativity; slightly more accessible difficulty curve but equally impressive mechanical variety
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – Sony’s dimension-hopping action-platformer delivers superior production values with 88 Metacritic; emphasizes combat over pure platforming precision
• Demon’s Souls Remake – PlayStation 5 exclusive offering challenge-focused gameplay with environmental navigation; narrative-heavy alternative to Crash 4’s gameplay-first design philosophy

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time vs Competitors

Direct platformer comparisons reveal Crash 4’s positioning as the affordable entry point within the current generation of 3D action-platformers. While Ratchet & Clank offers superior technical presentation and combat depth, Crash 4 delivers more consistent single-player challenge and exceptional value at $39.99 pricing point.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time Story and World

The narrative tackles a multiverse-spanning conflict where Neo Cortex and N. Tropy escape their interdimensional prison threatening all realities simultaneously. Crash and Coco journey across 43 alternate dimensions—tropical islands, industrial wastelands, pirate coves, dinosaur-infested lands—with the story maintaining light-hearted humor befitting the franchise tone. Quantum Masks introduce reality-bending mechanics narratively justified through dimensional shifts. While story serves gameplay over cinematic ambitions, the writing delivers charming character moments and clever environmental storytelling. The time-travel plot device justifies gameplay variety while the multiverse premise excuse the wildly disparate level themes preventing tonal dissonance affecting modern platformers.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time Multiplayer and Online

Crash 4 prioritizes single-player experience with minimal online integration; local competitive modes offer couch-based entertainment without requiring internet connectivity. Leaderboard functionality tracks completion times for speedrunners though crossplay support remains unconfirmed.

• Local Battle Arenas – 2-4 player split-screen competitive modes playable with single controller passed between players; supports up to four participants in mini-game battles
• Time Trials – Competitive speedrun leaderboards encourage best-time submissions for individual levels and entire campaigns; appears to support cross-platform comparison
• Cosmetic Skins – Preorder bonuses included Totally Tubular skins for Crash and Coco; no ongoing cosmetic shops or seasonal content updates
• Cross-Play – No confirmed cross-progression or cross-platform multiplayer; primarily designed for individual platform progression

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time DLC and Expansions

Toys for Bob released Crash 4 as a complete package without post-launch expansion content despite obvious community interest in additional dimensions and levels. The team shifted resources toward other projects rather than supporting the game with paid DLC or cosmetic shops common in contemporary releases.

• Totally Tubular Bundle – Preorder incentive granting cosmetic skins; included digital editions only; no gameplay impact
• Cosmetic Skins – Alternative character costumes earned through gameplay progression; no additional paid cosmetic shop post-release
• Seasonal Content – No battle pass or seasonal update roadmap; Crash 4 received its final state by late 2022
• Free Updates – Post-launch patches addressed performance optimization on Nintendo Switch and minor bug fixes; no content additions followed launch

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time Community and Support

The passionate Crash fan-community remains active across dedicated subreddits, Discord servers, and speedrunning platforms despite limited official developer engagement post-release. Activision shifted focus toward competitive titles; community members maintain leaderboards and speedrunning guides independently.

• Official Forums – Activision maintains minimal community presence; Toys for Bob shifted developmental focus following Crash 4 completion; no active developer communication regarding franchise future
• Reddit Communities – r/crashbandicoot maintains 100k+ active members discussing speedruns, challenge completion, and franchise speculation; thriving speedrunning subreddit documents world-record progression
• Speedrunning Support – Speedrun.com leaderboards track world-record times across individual levels and full campaigns; active competitive community pushing mechanical limits through frame-perfect techniques
• Patch Updates – Final patch released October 2022 addressing Switch performance; no balance changes or new content additions since initial release stabilization