Amazon.com Customer Reviews
Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced.... - Review written on March 08, 2003
Rating: 5 out of 5
7 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.
When I heard the they were bringing Crash to the Gameboy Advance, I couldn't have been more pleased. Ever since he came out for the original Playstation, I've always been a fan of his games. So, when 'The Huge Adventure' came out, I bought it and was tickled that I finally had me a Crash game to play on the go. It was an absolute blast to play. Getting everything there was to get in the game as well as making it through every level was really something. I think Vicarious Visions did a wonderful job with the game. So, what do I think of the new game: N-tranced? Well, it's even more of a blast to play. I love how they added new stuff that was in the 'Wrath of Cortex' game(namely the Atlasphere)as well as new moves. It's definitely a more ambitious game this time around. Vicarious Visions tried their best to mimic the console Crash games and, in that respect, they succeeded admirably. Personally, I think Vicarious Visions has did it again. Universal ought to give these people the Crash license for the console games as well as the Gameboy Advance games. They got the Crash thing down pat. You can tell they are fans of the games, that Naughty Dog did, themselves. I'm glad of that because, out of all the platform mascots there is, Crash is my most favorite and I don't want his games to go downhill. I'll admit, if you're a Crash vet, you'll get through this game in no time. Still, it's definitely worth its' asking price and is a game that I recommend to all. Believe me, it's alot better than most platform games out there for the Gameboy Advance. As for gripes about the game, I have absolutely none. Everything is as perfect as can be for this Crash game. Judging from some of the other reviews, it didn't please everyone but it sure pleased me. I'm a Crash addict...I love his games.
I do hope that Universal and Vicarious Visions continue the trend and bring out another game for the handheld. This wee Bandicoot can hold his own with the best of them out there and his games continue to get better and better.
This is not very impressive.... - Review written on February 14, 2003
Rating: 2 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful, 6 did not.
I was very excited when I heard this game was coming out. I bought Crash Bandicoot: The Big Adventure and absolutely loved it. I cannot say the same for this. Although the '40 Levels' appealed along with the 3D atlaspheres, etc., I found this game quite boring. The bosses are WAY to easy. No contest. I hardly lost any lives overall. The levels are ok. Nothing new. In fact, the new arabian levels are more frustrating than fun and adventurous. The new flying carpets? Stupid addition. More frustrating than fun. I myself threw the game down in frustration trying to get through. Its a nice change with the 3D atlasphere levels. Its especially nice that you can slow down (unlike Wrath of Cortex for PS2). The shark chasing levels, HORRIBLE. Its like the programmers didn't know about collision detection. I was riding around in the marsh half the level. Its pathetic. The space levels were just as bad. You cant hardly see what's going on with Coco's large rear in the way. Especially when you are moving. You cannot see a thing! In the 3D atlasphere levels, the collision detection is also really bad. I ran into nitro a whole lot when I was clear away from it. When I did beat the final boss, I hated going back to get the time trials & gems. In the shark levels, its virtually impossible to get all the boxes. Some of the times for the trials is totally unrealistic. Overall in that category, very low replay value. The new copter addition is okay. The carpet is totally pointless. The freeze box? Why's that there? It doesnt do anything exept act as another box to break to get the gem for all boxes broken.
I wouldn't waste my money on this game. There is just too much wrong with it. I know im not going to play this game very often again. Buy the first one, Crash Bandicoot: The Big Adventure.
very well done - Review written on January 17, 2003
Rating: 5 out of 5
21 customers found this review helpful.
This game is a must have for fans of the series and far outclasses the first outing on the Gameboy (The Huge Adventure). The sound effects and music is varied and faithful to the previous games, and the graphics look amazingly good for a handheld.
For those who haven't played any of the previous games in the series, they all have similar plots and gameplay elements. For various reasons, the bad guys want some crystals from the levels. Crash collects the crystals and during the course of the game foils their unspecified evil plans. Along the way are items for him to collect like fruit stored in boxes. Collecting 100 pieces of fruit gets a free guy. There are masks to collect that give him a 1 time shield, and once in a while there is a free guy in some of the boxes. The levels are organized into areas, and completing each area requires "beating the boss". Each boss has some sort of weakness you have to figure out. After beating each boss, Crash acquires another ability like extra-high jump or extra-long sliding.
After you have collected the crystals, more game play is squeezed out in 2 ways - gems and relics. Gems are collected either by breaking all the boxes in a level or sometimes they are hidden in a secret area in the level. The game tells you before you enter a level which items are still available to collect. Each level also has a target time for completion. After you have collected the crystal, you can reenter a level, touch a clock then start racing through. By going as fast as you can and beating the target time, you win a Relic.
Most of the levels are similar to previous games but there are a few new twists. There are levels where Crash is water skiing and a big chompy shark is chasing him (hint: control Crash with the L&R buttons instead of the D-pad). These levels remind me of the jet-ski levels I didn't enjoy on previous games but the water skiing is actually fun. Other new twists are flying on a little helicopter pack and a magic carpet.
I'm not sure if the game could be played through by young children without help as some of the levels are pretty hard. Notably, the 3rd boss level is a difficult. There is a 2nd crash on the screen making mirror moves to him. By much trial and error I figured out you have to run the right-side Crash into the traps to win. I don't think my 6 year old could ever finish that level.
They have recreated the levels from The Wrath of Cortex where Crash is rolling around in a glass ball called the Atlasphere. These levels were the some of the most enjoyable in The Wrath of Cortex. On the N-Tranced, they seem to be the same track every time with new obstacles thrown in. These levels become a little frustrating because it is fairly easy to roll the ball off the side. They can only be beaten by creeping through the level with your finger on the brake button. I could have lived with fewer of these.
Another great game for your GBA. - Review written on December 24, 2002
Rating: 5 out of 5
5 customers found this review helpful, 6 did not.
This is a very good game. The graphics in it are bedder than in THE HUDGE ADVENTURE. If u liked crash 2 & 3 for PS1. And u also liked THE HUDGE ADVENTURE,you will love this game. Also it is at a GREAT price. I Highly recomend it. Also WHEN/IF you get it,get it from www.amazon.com!
-Andy