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Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex Preview
Chris Leyton
00/12/0000
Despite his creators abandoning him, Crash looks set to make an appearance on the PS2.
Like Sonyâs other psuedo mascot Spyro, Crash Bandicoot is making the jump to other platforms. Not only that heâs also been farmed off to other developers leaving Naughty Dog to pursue other projects. So whoâs looking after Crash now, well itâs a UK team that youâve probably never heard of but are likely to have played one of their games in your time, the team is Travellerâs Tales.
TT havenât got the best track record in the industry but thereâs three main reasons not to let that worry you:
a)Theyâve got a considerable sized portfolio of titles including many 3D platformers.
b)Theyâve handled big franchises before; these guys brought us Sonic R and Sonic 3D on the Saturn.
c)Although they donât always get it right, theyâre technically astute and often produce some outstanding results.
Despite the pressure TT has not only taken on the challenge, theyâve decided to go about it their way. Gone will be the restrictive 2D planes of old and in will come a new and improved (nearly) free roaming 3D environment, opening up the possibility for more adventuring as opposed to the straightforward platform style of the first three games.
The move to 3D brings with it a host of problems; issues with camera placements, controls quirks and level designs to name just a few. TT will have to pay careful attention to these if they want to release a game worthy of the Bandicoot banner.
Although the game has changed, its roots still lie in traditional platform elements; Crash runs around, spins into enemies, collects apples and saves the day. Like itâs predecessor TT have included a variety of vehicles for Crash to use, at the moment these include a jeep, an Aliens-inspired mech, a glider and a mini-helicopter, which should help keep the action in the game fresh at all times.
The story follows on from the happenings in the first three games of the series, Uka Uka and Dr. Cortex are working together to try and do away with their main adversary Crash, who has stopped their evil plans time and time again. In order to do this, a plan has been devised to utilize the power of these four ancient elementals that serve only to wreak havoc on the world.
Based on the four elements -- earth, wind, fire and water -- each command different powers and cause destruction by causing natural disasters akin to their elements, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and tornadoes. Each element has a world associated to it split into different levels with a total level count of 30.
TT have managed to get a strong game engine up and running, the game runs smoothly at 60 FPS and despite the barren looks the levels have a carton feel and are vibrant and rich in colours. TT are promising a host of special effects including real-time shadows, some stunning lighting effects plus real-time reflections and lots of cool environment and particle effects. Given what TT managed to achieve visually with Sonic R on the Saturn I have no doubts that this game will be alongside the ânice lookingâ group upon itâs release.
Itâs all on for Traveller's Tales now, thereâs still plenty of work to do and issues that need to be dealt with however itâs looking promising for Crashâ debut on the next-gen stage.
