Multiplayer party style games are very popular. Before the huge boom in internet and lan based play - games that played via a split screen were the in thing. Sports games do this very well - but occasionaly you want to play something different - a party style collection of mini-games which is different every time you play. Enter Crash Bash - a game made to fill this gap. Developed by Eurocom - the developers behind the overlooked 40 Winks, this is a very different Crash game - and although the original developers are not behind this title - all the original characters are back. However - this time they are playing something very different. After striking gold with Crash Team Racing - developers Naughty Dog shocked the world when it announced that they sold the rights to Crash Bandicoot - and went to work on an original franchise. That turned out to be Jak and Daxter - but before that - gamers wanted another Crash game. It was up to Eurocom to fill some very big shoes. And fill them they did. However - Crash Bash is pretty disappointing. It has all the makings of previous games in the series - but none of the charm and attitude that made them all so appealing. Crash Bash actually comes across as a little bland - and doesn't have the staying power in it's single player. Which is what the series has always been about. Even in the previous year's Crash Team Racing, Naughty Dog took steps to ensure that the single player mode was sufficient and rewarding - while still providing a great multiplayer mode. Providing 7 different mini games - with 4 initially unlocked - Crash Bash feels cheap and a little light. However there is a deep game here to find. Providing games of skill like a multiplayer pinball variant - to a bash style game where your main objective is to push each other off a slab of ice - to a pogo game variant which is similar to squares - each arena provides a new alternative to the main mode of play - but doesn't create a big enough difference for you to be overwhelmed. In fact, underwhelmed is what you will most likely feel. Definately best with 4 players and a multitap, Crash Bash does have its moments. However playing on your own you notice a lot more of it's shortcomings - and unfortunately there are many. Sound is one of the biggest issues in the game - and its something you will easily find. The sound is simply terrible. The Crash games have always prided themselves on catchy and fun tunes that are light and easy to get into. This continues with Crash Bash - however its not polished. The music is too repetitive and doesn't have staying power. It is something I personally disliked - and quickly reached the remote for. Not only this - but the effects are also light and bland. It is again repetitive and doesn't have the atmosphere and strength of the previous games. It is competent to a degree - but there is very little in the way of sound effects - so you will hear characters taunts repeatedly. Animation and graphics are for the most part smooth. Although developed by a new company, the game does have the familiar Crash feel - but it doesn't have enough of it. It feels more like an imitation of Naughty Dog's best work - and while it is a good imitation - it is still that - just an imitation. While the game overall isn't bad - its not what Crash fans have come to know and love. Multiplayer Crash Bandicoot probably sounded great on paper - but this hasn't been given the care and extensive playtesting that previous games in the series have recieved. Disappointing.
A few days ago I found my ps1 under my bed so i plugged it in and put the disc of crash bash into it and pressed the power button and as soon as a started playing crash bash again i was instantly hooked! it may not have ... Read Full Review
Don't listen to Gamespot! This game is awsome. This is just like Mario Party except Bandicoot style. The gameplay is fun and will keep you playing for hours. A mutitap is worth it for this game. The graphics are great... Read Full Review
