4.5/5 ★ – bokonon764's review of Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back.

A remake of one of the prime examples, if not the first example for me, of a sequel done right. Crash 2 enhances what was built with the series first release, and sets the tone for the next few entries. The warp room, the next crop of characters, the way collectibles are structured, Crash 2 is smooth as fuck, and perhaps the reason why I am playing games to this very day. The only thing I don’t like that Crash 2 keeps is the depth dimension when side scrolling. It’s not as bad this time around, but still a pain in the ass. On a lesser note, the relic races have also been added, departing from the original. It was frustrating having the levels be designed without relic races in mind, but the Crash 2 levels are much better for it than the original Crash Bandicoot games. Other than that, Crash 2 is better in every way. The platforming mechanics are the same, save for new additions of the belly flop and the slide/crouch. The slide mechanic is slick as fuck, it revolutionizes the gameplay. There’s a little less variety in level concept, and the last warp room group of 5 levels is a bit of a letdown, but the stage design is mostly stellar. Like a lot of platforming sequels, there’s some vehicle stuff. Instead of the boat players ride on in the first game, now it’s a polar bear; also there’s a jet board that’s fun enough, and a jet pack that’s god awful. Seriously, fuck that jet pack. This game adds a new collectible for each level: the crystal. The pink, floating obelisks can be found in obvious spots in each level, and they have to be collected to clear the level. The gems are back; some of what’s called “death routes” (in-level bonus levels achieved through no deaths up until a certain point) are super tough and really well designed. They also come with more intense versions of the levels background music. The gems stay fresh, with diabolical platforming gauntlets, strategic backtracking, and well-hidden secrets. Crash 2 introduces some of series regular characters, including fan favorites: Crash’s sister, Coco, and new Cortex henchmen, Tiny Tiger and N. Gin. And yes, if the latter characters name is any indicator, the wordplay is strong with this game. There’s more dialogue and story this time around and the characters have a little more personality. Crash Bandicoot, as an IP, isn’t Marvel or Star Wars or some other super popular shit, but it’s got really well-drawn characters that certainly have their place in the video game zeitgeist. Neo Cortex is specifically such a great character. While he is just a simple mad scientist trope, the physical design is perfect, and Lex Lang (Clancy FUCKING Brown in the original PS release) voiced him perfectly. The N on the forehead, his large, upside-down, cone-shaped head, the red rings under his eyes, solid design. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back is bold, new direction for the series, and a victorious one at that. In my opinion, it would be 97’s Warped that would perfect the formula, (and I’m for sure playing that next) but it was this game that took the series into the future.