E3 Impressions:crash bandicoot:The Wrath of Cortex

from sonyweb

The wise cracking bandicoot returns to a Sony console once again, this time with the help of a new developer and publisher.

 Whether they have what it takes to continue the legacy left behind by Naughty Dog remains to be seen.

Developed by Traveler\'s Tales, the makers of the unique Sonic 3D Blast and Sonic R, Crash is a 3D platform game pitting the smart-mouthed Bandicoot and his sister Coco against a persistent Neo-Cortex who received a butt-kicking from Crash more times than he can count the blisters on his bum. This time Cortex is back with yet another lame brained scheme to try and rid himself of Crash.

He plans to manufacture the ultimate Crash destroyer, a genetically altered super-creature designed for one thing only, to defeat Crash Bandicoot once and for all. To gas up his Frankenstein-like creation, Cortex discovers the resting place of the Elemental Powers and steals ancient Crystals that keep the Elemental gods asleep.

The gods awaken, unleashing their destructive energies on the helpless planet Earth. It\'s up to Crash Bandicoot and his sister to return the crystals and defeat Cortex and his newfound or newly created buddy before they take over the world.

This time around, Crash\'s sister is a fully playable character for the first time with a whole set of moves and attacks to help out her bro. To add to the fun, the game lets you maneuver a Jeep, flying a hang glider, piloting a Crash-Mech, and a few other modes of transportation throughout the 30 brand new levels.

The E3 build didn\'t seem to offer much in the graphics department, it looked like a more colorful version of the past PSX Crash games from what I\'ve seen so far. The game sports some real time lighting and shadow effects coupled by the usual solid gameplay that\'s been a staple of the Crash series. There\'s still enough time left for the game to be buttoned up into something special in time for its holiday release

Not bad,but not too great from the sounds of things,

I can\'t wait to play this game.  I would like to play as Crash\'s sister.  

I\'m gonna wait and see on this one.  If they keep the basic mechanics and expand the world and interactions, it could work out.  But will they have as good game design as ND? I hope so cause I\'d hate crash to go the way of the last few TMs