Crash Twinsanity Review

Anannya Sen’s Review

Another quality episode in the Crash series, although the longevity could be improved.

At Mobile Game Faqs we like the Crash series as it usually delivers some high class fun. I wasn't disappointed with Crash Twinsanity.

The graphics are as good as ever with Crash and Dr Cortex both well drawn and very cartoon looking. In fact Cortex's running animation is very funny and usually had me smirking when playing the game on the train! The backgrounds are bright and colourful and the animation is nicely done. Definitely up to the usually high Crash standard of graphics.

The sound doesn't quite hit the heights that the graphics do. There is a decent tune when you load the game up but no background music in the game itself. There are sound effects though when you jump or when things blow up but I felt this area could have been improved somewhat.

Controls are pretty straightforward. Use the D or key pad to move the character. 1 and 3 (or up left and up right) are diagonal jumps and when in the air you can press it again for a double jump. The main button or 5 will make Crash spin which can activate boxes and also looks pretty cool.

The playability is great! The main reason is that although this is a side scrolling platformer, there's an added twist in that you have to work with Cortex in the game. This makes it much more playable. What I mean is that you both have to finish the level and there are obstacles on both your course and Cortex's. You have to make sure Cortex doesn't blow up by detonating bombs in front of him, raising spiked obstacles so he doesn't run into them and using switchs to move a platform towards him so he doesn't run off the edges. He can also influence your level at certain points in the game by doing the same (usually running over switches) but as he's controlled by the AI you have a limited time to get past the obstacle once he's on the switch as he just keeps on running. Play the game a few times and you'll see what I mean. The effect this has is that not only do you have to worry about making your own way across, but you have to have some decent skills to ensure that Cortex makes it across too and quick jumps, dashing and precision is usually required. Also on each level there is a crystal somewhere hidden which you have to find to gain access to the last level. The first levels crystal is easy but the others take a little bit more looking. I really enjoyed playing this game.

The one major drawnback I have is the lastability. There are 6 levels, each one getting unlocked when you clock the last one. The final level requires you to have found all 5 crystals from before. Once you have clocked a level you can come back and replay it at any time, so don't worry about finding all the crystals in one go. Also, once you have finished a level but haven't found the crystal, when you do find it you don't have to finish the whole level again if you die, you will still register as having found it. The game autosaves your progress and once you have found all the crystals and finished the first five levels you get to play the 6th. The levels increase in complexity and timing required but overall it didn't take me that long to complete all 6 levels. I enjoyed playing them a lot and so wanted more after I finished and I guess that's where the console version comes in. You do get a nice pic at the end though, but don't think it will take you that long to complete once you work out a route for each level. Shame really as it's a great game!