Crash Bandicoot

[Ray502]

In my opinion, N-Sane Trilogy should stay as a PlayStation Exclusive. This is because to avoid the risk of a similar amount of delay time that Rayman Legends went through so the game can be ported to PS3 and the Xbox 360. Legends was delayed for almost a year, and it angered fans to the point where they decided to sign a petition. That is the opposite of what the Crash franchise needs.

[Master]

To be fair, there's no indication such a thing could happen here, it's clear that it'll be at least a timed exclusive, which means there wouldn't be delays to port on time.

[Master]

Bumping, our first footage of a Crash 2 level:

[Ray502]

Awesome! Every aspect, major and minor, work nearly the same like the original versions. Excited for the release in June!

Though I wish a demo would've been released.

[Bzzit]

Looks good, for the most part, but Crash is lacking the dynamic facial expressions from the original - looks a bit too stiff and uncharismatic in this.

[Master]

Hmm, I feel a lot more acclimated to the new model than I was when they first showed N-Sane Trilogy, I don't know if I got used to it or if they've tweaked it.

[Bzzit]

The lacking of personality is most evident in the entrance animation.

Compare the facial expressions and body gestures when he's transported into the level; the original has a lot more expression and polish to it, whereas the newer entrance animation looks a bit unfinished and amateur.

When he's being controlled the animations looks fine though.

[Master]

I think it's the teeth that does it, Crash's always been rather toothy when it came to his PS1 era animations. You don't really see much teeth when he comes into the levels.

[Bzzit]

You're right - it's the teeth and mouth expression in general that feel off. Also, the arm movements are noticeably awkward; in the original they're timed well with the movement of his face, but in the remake, the timing is off (jerks at the start then proceeds to be way too slow) and the movement is far too slow and not very appealing to watch.

Sounds like I'm nitpicking, but Crash's personality is pretty much defined by his well animated and expressive facial expressions and body language, so messing this aspect up is the equivalent of replacing a talking character's original voice actor with a bad one.

[Master]

While I do agree, I don't think it's necessarily a dealbreaker. I'm wondering though, how does N-Sane's animations compare to Skylander's Crash? I don't recall seeing much complaint over his animation and the like, though that might be due to being given leeway for being a different series and art-style.

[Bzzit]

From what i saw from Crash's animations in Skylanders, they were actually pretty good. A lot more exaggerated and goofy than past games but were at least fun and well executed.

[Master]

Hmm, which would fit Crash's personality, even though his design was exaggerated.

I'm going to see if I can find any footage of N-Sane Crash doing the dance, since that is one of the best examples of Crash's personality.

[Bzzit]

The only glimpse of the dance I recall is the near the end of the reveal trailer: Looks pretty good. Still think there's something a bit off about the model itself though.

[Master]

Bumping, more footage has been shown: https://www.facebook.com/CrashBandicoot ... 111428241/

It looks like they've tweaked the lighting to be more lush and in line with the original titles. It might just be me, but the animations also look a lot more smoother and cartoon-like. And, most importantly, our first look at the Crash 1 World Map!

It's looking rather good overall, I think.

[Bzzit]

Yeah, defo more in line with the original.
Here's another good example of the amendments that have gone underway to make it look more like the original. Glad to see the devs actually care and listen to fan feedback!

[Dart]

Watching the production of video games is always so fun to watch, but I digress. I personally think Crash N Sane should stay a Playstation exclusive, since the source games were originally marketed as Sony characters, and likely aren't to be recognized by the other markets (beyond PC). You could say that going multiplat makes a bigger profit, however many genres have a tendency to be cost ineffective on certain systems (JRPGS on Xbox, M-rated Shooters on Nintendo) and potentially divert resources from making a more solid experience on one game, which isnt something I would really like to see on Crash

[Ray502]

Nice footage. Love to see they are improving the graphics, the earlier look was cool too but kind of bland. Crash's current fur, no doubt gives more of that original look. The first CB came into mind from first sight.

I'd like to see more of a variety of levels shown, like the snow and space ones. The river levels are being showcased too often when new footage is revealed. I would also like to see how the Arabian environments look like from Warped. Those are my favorite levels from that game.

[Master]

Not much, but more on Cortex:

[Bzzit]

Looking good overall, but his shooting animation seems a bit weak - he should use both hands like in the original to convey more of a force.

Also, First 4 Figures announced yesterday that they're going to be revealing classic Crash statues soon (Spyro too) so can't wait to see them.

[Master]

Ah yes, I didn't notice that detail at first, good eye. They've really done well with the facial animations though, I really like that hologram of Cortex demanding more crystals. It looks much more sinister. Also, I noticed that Cortex is carrying a Power Crystal in the Crash 2 Jetpack chase, I wonder if that's supposed to the master Crystal that Cortex discovered at the beginning of Crash 2. It's a nice detail if it is.