Crash Bandicoot Review: On the Run, Running with Purpose is More Fun

GAMEFINITY.ID, Jakarta – This year marks 25 years of Crash Bandicoot’s existence as a game. Coinciding with that, King released Crash Bandicoot: On the Run for iOS and Android. The developer himself claims this game as the most “crash” game ever.

Crash Bandicoot: On the Run has been released starting Thursday (25/3/2021). Thomas Rizal from GAMEFINITY have tried this game by playing some early levels and exploring several modes in the game. What’s the fun like? Check out the following discussion.

Gameplay (10/10)

Crash Bandicoot: On the Run is a mobile runner game in which the iconic marsupial Crash Bandicoot and Coco Bandicoot run through obstacles throughout the levels, to thwart the evil plans of Dr. The Neo Cortex rules all dimensions. One thing King emphasized, this game is not an “endless runner”, but a “runner”.

This means that Crash or Coco don’t just run aimlessly when entering a level, but actually need to carry out a number of missions and complete challenges until they reach the finish line (in this case, a warped room). It is precisely running with a purpose that makes this game more fun, than just running at a speed that will continue to grow in order to get the maximum score.

This game returns some classic elements such as wumpa fruit, crate, TNT crate, nitro crate, wumpa fruit, to several legendary enemies such as Neo Cortex, N. Brio, Dingodile, and others. Several level designs are also adapted from the game’s iconic levels, such as Boulder Dash, Turtle Woods, Lost City, Temple Ruins, and the Lab.

For those who have been loyal to playing the game Crash Bandicoot for 25 years, it feels like they will immediately be familiar with the mechanics of the game. Like other runner games, players will continue to run automatically until they reach the final goal of the level, namely defeating minions and bosses by throwing special items (serum, bomb, raygun, bazooka). After successfully completing the level, players will get power gems.

If the player crashes into a wall or enemy, or explodes due to being hit by a nitro/TNT crate, then the player fails to complete the level and must repeat the level, or can continue running from the nearest checkpoint.

Players can take Aku-Aku masks, with three masks will allow players to access invincibility for a certain time (the escape will still stop if it hits a wall).

To be able to access levels and defeat enemies in Battle Run, players need to mix certain items in the Lab. Ingredients for crafting items such as nitric funguses, chill berries and so on can be collected in the Collection Run mode, where each level provides certain different ingredients and is stored in resource crates. A number of items can also be obtained for free at vending machines, by watching advertisements, or by purchasing them with Crystals.

In addition to the Battle Run and Collection Run, players can also play Challenges, where players must complete levels without checkpoints to get colored gems or Crystals (Gem Run), or break all boxes to get special items (Challenge Run). Another mode is Time Trial, which has the same mechanism as the original game, where players must score the fastest time to collect relics (sapphire, gold, platinum), with the help of a breakable time crate to temporarily stop time (up to three seconds).

Players can also play Survival Run, where players can run with other players at the same time. This new mode is the uniqueness of the game, so Crash Bandicoot: On the Run is not only a single player game but can also be played in multiplayer.

Graph (9/10)

Of course, it would be difficult and too detailed if a graphical version of a console like the N Sane Trilogy was loaded onto a mobile screen. This is where the developers at King have done a perfect job for Crash Bandicoot: On the Run. Immediate nostalgia felt as soon as Crash started running.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvEIrWAmRY4

With smooth in-game graphics and level design fresher and clean, perfect for accompanying Crash to run through the levels through obstacles and breaking boxes. TA more colorful appearance for the size of a mobile game makes gamers immediately feel a friendly impression when playing this game.

Just like the console version of the game, players can also see Crash and Coco’s animation when they successfully complete a level, to various Crash and Coco death animations. Various visual effects such as exploding boxes, shattering, and thrown enemies also look right to add a nostalgic impression to veteran Crash Bandicoot players. In addition, players will also be accompanied by songs and sound effects in the style of Crash Bandicoot, which are indeed the hallmarks and advantages of the Crash Bandicoot franchise.

Control (9/10)

Just like other runner games, the controls in Crash Bandicoot: On the Run are also very simple. Players only need to swipe and tap. Swipe left and right to move Crash, swipe down to slide and swipe up to jump, while tap to spin. Crash movement is also made as identical as possible to the console version.

Crash’s new skill is to throw items such as berries to blow up the nitro crate or beat the enemy from afar. Near the end of each level (Battle Run), players will face a boss. After successfully approaching the boss, players need to throw items by tapping the screen while the meter is running. If you manage to tap right in the middle of the meter, players can get additional bonus items.

Addictive (10/10)

Just like other Crash Bandicoot games, Crash Bandicoot: On the Run has many challenging modes and missions to play. After players successfully unlock levels and defeat bosses in Battle Run and collect items in Collection Run, players will feel challenged to collect colored gems and relics in Challenge Run, and run with other players in Survival Run.

Players will also be busy with Aku-Aku’s Quests which challenge players to complete a number of missions, in exchange for certain items that are useful for the player’s progress in the future. There are also plenty of skins (currently 71 skins in total) that players can buy with crystals, or with in-game microtransactions. What is certain is that this game is free to play, aka free to play in full.

When the author plays this game, some access modes are still “coming soon”, which indicates that there will be many other developments that are ready to be released by King. Of course, there are still many adventures that gamers can play, which makes this game even more interesting to keep playing.

Conclusion

Back to King’s claim that Crash Bandicoot: On the Run is “the Crashiest Crash game ever“In terms of mobile games, the author feels that this claim is not just nonsense. Well, to be honest the author himself does not remember the existence of the mobile game Crash Bandicoot: which did leave a deep impression for loyal Crash Bandicoot players. So obviously, Crash Bandicoot: On the Run is indeed the best Crash Bandicoot mobile game right now.

For sure, this game will be loved by lovers of the platform game Crash Bandicoot. Even considering it was platform games like Crash Bandicoot that inspired the mobile runner genre (especially levels like Boulder Dash), it’s a bit surprising that it took the Crash Bandicoot 25 years to create its first runner game. At least better late than never, right?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BajDKPStjI

This game is also interesting to play by those who do not know the world of Crash Bandicoot at all. In fact, by playing this game, it seems that players will be interested in playing (again) other Crash Bandicoot platform games.

For lovers of mobile runner games, this game reminds the author a little of the Gameloft Spider-Man Unlimited game. Some of the original elements from the main game or franchise have been remade on mobile, with a number of updates that add to the fun of playing. Yes, of course, the author hopes that Crash Bandicoot: On the Run doesn’t have the same fate as Spider-Man Unlimited which was shut down by the developer.

With easy gameplay mechanics, beautiful graphics, fun audio and sound effects, and challenging missions, Crash Bandicoot: On the Run is a really fun game for gamers of all genres and ages. Score 9.5 it’s not too much to give for this King’s game.