Crash Bandicoot here is a plain 2D game that plays like Streets of Rage, except you can "jump" pretty high. The enemies are pretty brain dead, and most of the challenge is from other factors, such as enemies that fly (so you have to "jump" to reach them). You can "jack" enemies by beat them up until they are stunned, then jump on top of them to "jack" them (i.e. control them) to do your bidding. Along the way, you must also collect plenty of wampums (the fruits) as they serve as your "upgrade" currency.
Some levels are straight beat-em-up where Crash shows off his punches, uppercuts, and other combos. However, it's pretty much mad-button-mash. Most of the challenge in the game is figuring out when to jump, when to jack someone, and other timing puzzles, such as the "flood" stage where a flood is seconds behind you, and you must outrun the wave or die. Fortunately, restart is just a button away, but some of these short levels can still be frustrating. And if you don't perform well enough in these levels, no key for you to advance to next section of island! Argh!
The animations are pretty fast, and Crash does have a bit of attitude which is what made him so refreshing from other tame characters. However, if that's all th excuse they have to have Crash do a long fight, it may be time to start another franchise.
Sound is typical arcade-y sound, and music is rather forgetable. Sprites are decently animated, and that's about it. Nothing really stands out in this game, and that's a shame. The gimmick of "jacking" is less novel and more cumbersome than one suspects. All in all, it's just not that good of a game.
Rating: 6 out of 10
Pros: Levels are short but lots of action
Cons: Way too repetitive, jacking isn't that fun
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