Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex

About Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex

Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex marked the series move to PlayStation 2 in late 2001. Developed by Traveller Tales under Universal Interactive Studios, this fourth main entry introduced Crash and his sister Coco to three new consoles. You play as the duo tasked with stopping Dr. Neo Cortex and his newly created super-weapon brother, Crunch Bandicoot. The plot revolves around collecting twenty-five crystals to neutralize the Elementals powering Crunch. A unique Virtual Reality Hub System acts as your central base while you cross various worlds. This title stands as Crash's first appearance across multiple platforms outside the original Sony hardware.

Gameplay

You control Crash or Coco in a fast-paced platforming loop that demands precise jumps and spin attacks. The core objective involves running through levels to find and collect specific crystals while avoiding spikes, enemies, and bottomless pits. Each stage features hidden crates containing Wumpa Fruit or extra lives to aid your progress. Combat relies on spinning into foes or throwing them at other enemies. Boss battles require you to dodge Crunch's elemental attacks before finding an opening to strike. The VR Hub lets you view collected crystals and track mission progress between runs. Controls feel tight, requiring accurate timing to navigate the varied terrain without dying repeatedly.

What Players Think

Players on PlayPile rate this title with a solid average score of 64.8 out of 100 based on 177 community ratings. Most users report an average playtime of roughly twelve hours to complete the main campaign, though completionists often spend twenty-five hours or more chasing every secret. The prevailing mood is nostalgic but critical of some technical hiccups. Critic reviews frequently mention the improved graphics over previous entries while noting the difficulty spikes in later levels. Many community members cite the boss fights against Crunch as the most memorable moments. Achievement hunters note that collecting all crystals remains a significant hurdle for casual players.

PlayPile's Take

This game is worth playing if you want to see how Crash transitioned to 3D consoles without losing his charm. The price varies depending on the platform and condition, but it remains a solid entry point for retro fans. You should expect around twenty-five achievements if you aim for 100 percent completion. The gameplay loop gets repetitive near the end, and some levels feel overly punitive. However, the distinct boss battles and the inclusion of Coco provide enough variety to keep interest alive. Skip this one only if you hate platformers with high death counts.

Storyline

The story is set sometime after Crash Bandicoot: Warped. Dr. Cortex wants revenge after being defeated by Crash, and for this purpose he creates Crunch, a super-bandicoot who can destroy everything that crosses his way. Crunch's power source is a set of magical masks known as the Elementals, each representing a different element, including Earth, Water, Fire, and Ice. Crash Bandicoot and his sister Coco must travel the world and gather special Crystals that will return the Elementals to a hibernated state, and thwart Cortex's plans to use Crunch as a weapon for world domination.