Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex

UPC: 020626712552

Platform: PlayStation 2

Publisher: Universal Interactive Studios, Inc.

Developer: Traveller's Tales

Category: Action

Style(s): 3D Platform

Synopsis: The original, ever-grinning orange hero chases his mad scientist nemesis into the next generation of console gaming in Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex, the first Crash Bandicoot game produced for Sony's 128 -bit PlayStation 2 system. As in previous Crash Bandicoot titles, gamers will once again find the intrepid marsupial adventurer on a platform-hopping quest to keep the world safe from Dr. Neo Cortex' dastardly plans. Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex is designed to take advantage of the PlayStation 2's superior processing power and allows players to interact with the hero in an intimate level of detail never before available in the popular series. Crash travels through 30 levels in six different worlds in this outing, avoiding deadly obstacles, piloting high-speed vehicles, and doing battle with over 30 enemy bosses. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Package Contents: 28-page Instruction Manual

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

The instruction manual contains all of the basics. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Game Guide

The game breaks no new ground graphics-wise, though it does offer some nice backgrounds. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Game Guide

Carrying the further adventures of one of video games' most popular platform characters to the PlayStation 2, Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex finds our wily marsupial hero once again pursuing his nemesis through numerous perilous worlds and facing-off against multiple intimidating bosses. Although the series has been carried over onto a new and more powerful platform, longtime fans will not be surprised to hear that much remains the same with consideration to the gameplay and the layout of the worlds through which our protagonist travels. The maneuvering of Crash is as familiar as ever, with jumping and spinning remaining the primary means of dispatching your foes. With platform games such as this though, it's not likely that fans want the series to break any new ground as much as they simply want another fun and familiar adventure. In regards to this approach to the game, Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex certainly won't disappoint. The levels are fast and fun, and the PS2's enhanced graphical abilities over the PlayStation lead to some appropriately mesmerizing backgrounds and interludes. Underwater and airborne levels break the gameplay out of the familiar just often enough to keep the game fresh and interesting, and provide the opportunity for the system to flex its graphical muscles without becoming too distracting or overbearing. Foes are fairly easily dispatched, bosses are challenging without being overly difficult, and the "chase" levels are exciting and tense. Those looking for revolutionary gameplay or a game that pushes the envelope of the latest generation of gaming systems will most certainly be disappointed. But if it's fast-paced thrills with a consistent and classic layout that you seek, you'll likely get much enjoyment out of the latest adventures of Crash Bandicoot. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Game Guide

Once the player has beaten all of the levels and bosses, there seems to be little reason to revisit the game. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Game Guide

The sound is functional, with music and voices sounding clear and concise. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Game Guide

Sticking to the same format that made the other Crash Bandicoot titles popular, this game offers little new in regards to gameplay. The fast pace and fun foes will certainly appeal to fans of the series. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.