Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time

About Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time

Toys for Bob released this eighth mainline entry in October 2020 after a six-year gap since the last title. The game launched on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC. It returns to the classic side-scrolling roots while introducing the Quantum Masks as a central mechanic. These masks let players warp through time or swap between dimensions to solve puzzles. The story picks up right after Warped when Uka Uka frees Cortex and N. Tropy from their past prison. They now threaten every dimension in existence. You control Crash and Coco to stop this multiversal takeover. It is a polished platformer that respects the legacy while pushing the formula forward with new tools and characters.

Gameplay

You run, jump, and spin through levels designed with multiple routes and secrets. The Quantum Masks change how you approach obstacles by letting you switch between reality shifts or freeze time. Five playable characters offer distinct movesets beyond standard platforming. Cortex uses a ray gun while Dingodile breathes fire to clear paths. Tawna wields a grapple hook for vertical traversal. Each level splits into two halves where you can replay sections with different masks unlocked. A completionist mode forces you to collect all Wumpa fruits and crystals without taking damage. The controls feel tight, allowing for precise jumps even during complex time-travel sequences. You spend most of your time memorizing enemy patterns and learning mask mechanics to navigate tricky segments.

What Players Think

Critics and players alike gave this title high marks with a Metacritic score of 84 and an IGDB rating of 83.9 from 146 users. PlayPile data shows an average completion rate of 72 percent for the main story, while dedicated fans push toward 100 percent to unlock all masks. The community moods lean heavily toward nostalgic excitement with a 4.6 out of 5 average sentiment score. Users often mention the high difficulty spike in later stages as a hurdle. Average playtime sits at 12 hours for a standard run but jumps to 25 hours for those chasing every collectible. Review snippets frequently praise the level design variety and the return to classic mechanics over modern open-world trends.

PlayPile's Take

This platformer is worth buying if you enjoy tight controls and challenging level design. The price varies by platform but often drops during sales. There are 40 achievements tied to specific mask challenges or hidden routes. It stands out because it refuses to hold your hand, forcing you to master the mechanics quickly. Not everyone will like the difficulty curve in the final act. Players looking for a casual experience might find the precision jumps frustrating. The game earns its spot on shelves as one of the best 3D platformers of the last decade without relying on microtransactions or battle passes.

Storyline

Following his defeat in Crash Bandicoot: Warped, Uka Uka attempts to liberate himself and his acolytes Doctor Neo Cortex and Nefarious Tropy from their prison in the past. His latest effort rips open a hole in the fabric of space and time, and causes him to pass out. Cortex and N. Tropy swiftly escape and discover that the rift they use links their universe to the rest of the multiverse. They now want to make use of it to conquer all dimensions. It’s up to Crash and Coco to save the day.