"Yowza, Crash Bandicoot is harder than I remember" is something that many PlayStation 4 users have been saying over the last few weeks. Since the launch of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, people have been investigating the claim that the remade version of the first Crash Bandicoot title is actually more difficult than the original game. As it turns out, you're not just going insane if you happen to think this is the case -- the platforming really is that little bit tougher.
In a new post on Activision's official blog, editorial manager Kevin Kelly sheds some light on the whole debate. "An increased precision is now required in the first game, which makes the gameplay experience different," Kelly writes. "Particularly if you are a new player, you may want to start with the second and third games first, and then come back to try Crash Bandicoot after you’ve had more practice. For those of you who played the originals and acquired a fair amount of muscle memory, re-learning the handling in our game may present an additional challenge you weren’t expecting. But we’re sure you up to the task."
To be fair, we've always thought the first Crash was without a doubt the most difficult one anyway, but we suppose that it's hard for a slightly different reason on PS4. What do you make of this? Have you had a tough time with the first game? Think before you jump into the comments section below.
[source blog.activision.com]
Comments 18
Well I just need to relics on Crash 1 for and 2 for the platinums, so I've done alright. It's just adapting to the game then your fine.
I don't have this trilogy yet, but the first Crash was definitely the hardest back in the day. I always used that password that unlocked everything. Is that password feature even present in this trilogy?
I'm thinking there was a Eurogamer article which explained Crashs shape is different.
I didn't understand it too well but basically this shape allows you to slip off at an end to jump but it works landing as well. Where as before the shape was flat ? So could land easier?
@shogunrok "not just going insane" you mean N. Sane ... missed opportunity:)
@Mega-Gazz I had already used it for the tagline!
@ShogunRok ah, yes. Missed that
@B-I-G-DEVIL His hitbox is a capsule (pill shape) whereas it used to be a box. This means landing on the edge of a platform which is most often safe in a platformer isnt now.
But here's the thing. A platformer is a combination of the level design and physics. They work in tandem. Change the level design and it has to match the physics. Change the physics and it has to match the level design.
They changed the physics so now to make some jumps in levels like The High Road, you jump from the very edge of a platform to the next, also on its very edge.
The new physics are momentum based which is why this is required now. Where the level design requires stopping and waiting the new physics barely account for that.
Add in the new collision shape and it makes it harder than it has any right to be. Using a capsule shape for collision in a platformer that requires so much precision is asking for trouble.
And judging from the full post they have no plans to fix some of the other issues with the game like glitches involving death and platforms being out of sync. Or time trials practically breaking all level flow with enemies clipping through each other and objecta disappearing.
Never played it before Crash Bandicoot and to be fair its nothing special for me. Hard as hell and kinda dissapointing.
Damn I KNEW it must be harder!I finished all three Crash Bandicoots back in the day and remember the first being tough but the amount of times I have died in the first games remaster is beyond a joke...and not even attempted getting the collectables and time attacks yet.The plat for these games is out of the question for me.
Fantastic remaster though!
@shonenjump86 no there is autosave for everything. Sorry wrote that wrong the first time!
Honestly, I feel like all the levels in crash bandicoot 1 are even fair now...except for those stupid cloud bridge levels. They are infuriatingly difficult where everything else is just normal to hard.
I've started 2 and it's a cakewalk compared to 1.
@BLP_Software None of those issues you mentioned I've come across nor has any review I've read. Tbh aside from the loading times it's as polished as it can be.
@adf86 I posted a lot of it on Twitter.
Go to Road to Ruin, start the trial and die. Enemies start walking through each other.
Hangin Out, doors disappear.
Rinse repeat. God knows what else happens
The increase in difficulty is explained quite well by the lads at WhatCulture. Check it out:
https://youtu.be/OL8JA0iWNgk
For a marketing campaign that led everybody to believe these were the exact games we remember, this is a pretty nasty thing to do. Their attitude towards customer disappointment is also laughable, as they're basically saying to deal with it.
"We're sure you're up to the task," as if false praise will wash away the sour taste from this announcement...
All of you having a big old sook about the difficulty grow a set of testies, learn the new physics, then enjoy the game. Your exception is Road to Nowhere, you can complain about that.
Interesting... I found it to be easy. Maybe my old school skills have been retained from my youth. Maybe kids these days are used to having everything handed to them and cry at the first thing that is a challenge?
Having just got the platinum in the first Crash the other day, I reckon it was tough as boots. The game is, I would say, more difficult than the norm, but once you get to the time trials (which weren't in the original game) you're dealing with some serious business. The time trial on The High Road is particularly nasty.
I've found that in some ways it's easier and in some ways it's harder. I'm not complaining though as I love this remaster.
It's easier in terms of player information. This time around you're actually shown which levels the coloured gems are in, and you only need to do a level without dying for the coloured gems, rather than every single one in the original. Bonus levels can be retried as much as you like now. Also, there are hints for the secret areas and the placement of the camera is slightly different to encourage finding them.
However, Crash's jumping physics is different. He's a lot less floaty and I think you spend less time in the air when jumping. As a result it does make some of the platforming a bit more tricky. Especially the bridge levels!
But all in all it's still great and a good challenge.
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