Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is back, and it plays like a bandicoot that finally got the hang of the controls. After years away, the series returns with a new coat of paint, a fresh coat of physics, and a platforming engine that feels built for the moment rather than patched together. This is the game that finally delivers on the promise of a Crash Bandicoot that doesn’t feel stuck in the past.
Trailer, via Crash Bandicoot.
The Physics Come Back
The core loop is simple: jump, slide, spring, and hit the ground running. But the execution is anything but simple. Every bounce, every wall run, and every spin kick carries weight. The game understands that platformers are about timing, and it gives players tools that respond instantly. The spring dash, in particular, changes the rhythm of a level completely. A room that once demanded careful steps becomes a gauntlet of speed.
The levels are built around these mechanics, not around a checklist of tasks. Each stage asks players to learn a new trick, then layer it on top of everything else. That layering is where the game finds its identity. A level might start with a spring dash, move through a wall run, and end with a timed platforming sequence that requires the player to hold a jump while moving forward. The difficulty curve is steep, but it rewards patience rather than punishing mistakes.
Dr. N. Sanity Returns
The story revolves around Dr. Neo Cortex’s attempt to steal the Time Pieces and rewrite history. His partner-in-crime, Dr. N. Sanity, is a bigger presence this time, and the game leans into his comedy in a way that feels earned rather than forced. The writing isn’t deep, but it doesn’t need to be. The characters exist to move the plot forward, and the plot exists to justify the next level.
The voice acting carries the tone. Dr. N. Sanity’s delivery lands because the script gives him room to be silly without undercutting the stakes. The game knows it’s a platformer first and a story second, and it never pretends otherwise. The result is a narrative that’s thin but functional, with enough personality to keep the pace moving.
The Look of the Game
The visual style is bright, colorful, and full of life. The world is made up of living, breathing environments, from neon-lit city streets to dense jungles. The animation is fluid, and the character models are expressive. Crash himself looks like he’s having fun, which is half the battle of making a platformer work.
The game runs at a smooth frame rate across its supported platforms, which include Series X|S, PS4, PC, and PS5. The load times are short, and the menus are clean. There’s no fuss, no clutter, just a game that lets players jump in and start playing immediately. The presentation matches the play.
What Works, What Doesn’t
The game isn’t perfect. Some levels repeat tricks that were introduced earlier, which can feel frustrating when a player expects a new mechanic and gets an old one instead. The difficulty spikes are real, and some boss fights require a level of precision that borders on unfair. These are minor complaints, though, and they don’t outweigh the positives.
The game also includes a set of collectibles for each level, which gives players a reason to go back and master rooms they’ve already cleared. The collectibles aren’t required, but they add replay value for those who want it.
- The spring dash changes the pace of every level it appears in.
- The wall run adds a vertical element to the mix.
- The timed platforming sequences test reaction time and memory.
- The collectibles reward mastery over completion.
Final Word
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is a confident return for a franchise that needed one. It takes risks with its mechanics, pushes the genre forward, and delivers a package that feels fresh even after years of absence. The physics are the star, and the presentation backs them up.
This is a game that respects its legacy while refusing to be trapped by it. It’s a worthy addition to the library, and a strong entry point for anyone who missed the bandicoot during his long absence.
