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Crash Bash

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Crash Bash
The North American cover of Crash Bash features Crash, Coco, Cortex, Polar, and Tiny.
Developer(s)Eurocom Entertainment Software
Cerny Games
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment America
Composer(s)Steve Duckworth
SeriesCrash Bandicoot
EngineVarious
Platform(s)PlayStation, PlayStation Network
Release'PlayStation'PlayStation Network
Genre(s)Party
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Crash Bash is a party video game published by Sony Computer Entertainment, produced by Universal Interactive Studios (Activision Blizzard) and developed by Eurocom for the PlayStation. The game was released in North America on November 6, 2000[1] and in Europe on December 1, 2000.[2] It was re-released for the Sony Greatest Hits line-up in 2001 and for the Platinum Range on October 12, 2001.

Crash Bash is the fifth installment in the Crash Bandicoot series. It is the first Crash Bandicoot game not to be developed by Naughty Dog (who had left the series to develop the Jak and Daxter series), the last game released for the PlayStation console, and the first in the party genre (the second being Crash Boom Bang! six years later). The game's story centers on a contest of minigames held by Aku Aku and Uka Uka to decide whether good or evil is the strongest.

Gameplay

Crash Bash is a party game for up to four players, with computer AI making up the rest. The game features several minigames requiring different objectives and tactics, although the general goal is to defeat all the other opponents by reducing their health to zero or otherwise knocking them out. The last player standing wins the round, with the winner being the first to win a set number of rounds.[4]

The main mode of play in Crash Bash is the Adventure Mode, in which one or two players must win all 28 levels to complete. The player(s) wins Trophies, Crystals, and Gems by beating the different challenges of each level. Certain levels require a minimum number of Trophies, Gems, or Crystals to gain entry. There are five Warp Rooms and completing all of them results in a 200% completion, although this does not unlock anything.[4]

Like the platformer installments of the Crash series, the player uses Warp Rooms to travel among the many levels of Crash Bash. The player can access additional Warp Rooms by defeating Arena Bosses. To complete the entire Adventure Mode, the player must win every Trophy, Gem, Crystal, and Relic in every arena. Each arena is played in the same manner; the arena continues until one player wins three rounds; winning three rounds earns the player a Trophy. After a Trophy is won in an arena, the player can return to the arena to win Gems and Crystals. After any Trophy is gained in a Warp Room four arena, Gold Relics can be obtained in any previously completed level. After gathering 21 Gold Relics, the player can also win Platinum Relics from any completed levels. The player wins the Gold Relic after winning a level twice in a row, and a Platinum Relic after winning three times in a row.[4]

When a certain number of Trophies, Gems, and Crystals have been obtained, an Arena Boss Event is unlocked. In Arena Boss Events, the player battles a single powerful adversary in a certain type of minigame. Defeating this boss requires the player to empty the boss' health meter. The player will also have a health meter. Every time the player takes damage, his/her health meter will lose some Wumpa Fruit juice. If the juice runs empty, the game will end. By emptying the boss' health meter first, the player will gain access to the next Warp Room, where more arenas must be fought.[4]

Minigames

In "Ballistix", the player must use a hovership to block steel balls from his or her goal and deflect them into the opponent's goals. The balls are released into the arena and gain speed as the level progresses. Each contestant begins with a set number of points. One point is subtracted every time a player allows a ball into his or her goal. When a player's points hits zero, the player will be eliminated from the game. The last one standing wins the event.[4]

In "Pogo Pandemonium", players race around an arena on pogo sticks (or variations thereof), painting and capturing colored squares for points. Whoever garners up the most points within a set amount of time wins. In most arenas, special crates must be broken to turn squares into points. In "Pogo-A-Gogo", the players must encircle areas with their color to capture the center and add the squares to their score, and in "Pogo Padlock", the players cannot land on a square of their own color, or all their squares will be lost.[4]

In "Crate Crush", players will be tested for their ability to run, jump, throw, and battle it out with Stone Blocks, TNT and Nitro Crates. Players can empty each other's health bars by picking up crates and tossing them at each other. A player whose health bar has been emptied will be eliminated from the game. The last one standing is the winner. Some maps include destroyable floors through which a player can fall.[4]

A "Polar Push" level in Crash Bash featuring Cortex, Coco, Tiny and Dingodile

In "Polar Push", players gallop around on polar bear cubs and try to knock each other off the slippery arena, which may melt, tilt, or disintegrate around the players. Bombs, lightning bolts, and heavy weights can be used to aid in the elimination of other players. The last one standing is the winner.[4]

"Tank Wars" is played on a field with a grid that varies depending on the level. Players start with health and either fire weapons or lay mines to inflict damage. When a player runs out of health, he/she is eliminated. Wumpa Fruit can be used to recover health. The last player standing wins.[4]

"Crash Dash" pits players in a race against each other in a circular course. Turbo boosts can be obtained in the form of Wumpa fruits and fire missile in most levels. Crossing the finish line after a whole lap decreases the player's point and the first one to decrease his points to zero wins the game.[4]

"Medieval Mayhem" is the most varied of the level types. The only general link is that all the games are point based.[4]

Plot

Characters

The playable characters in Crash Bash are Crash Bandicoot, Coco Bandicoot, Tiny Tiger, Dingodile, Doctor Neo Cortex, Doctor Nitrus Brio, Koala Kong and a new character called Rilla Roo (a combination of a gorilla and a kangaroo). The characters are split into four main "types", which give them differing abilities within certain minigames. Papu Papu, The Komodo Brothers, and Nitros Oxide return as three of the game's bosses, while the fourth (actually the second) is giant polar bear in a submarine known as the Bearminator. Doctor N. Gin, Ripper Roo and Penta Penguin also make appearances during certain levels. Fake Crash also appears in the Japanese version. Aku Aku is the main protagonist: Crash Bandicoot, Coco Bandicoot, Tiny Tiger and Dingodile are on his side. Uka Uka is the main antagonist: Dr. Neo Cortex, Nitrus Brio, Koala Kong and Rilla Roo are on his side.

Story

In an unknown part of space, Aku Aku has an argument with his brother Uka Uka about whether good is truly stronger than evil.[5] Aku Aku decides that they must settle this once and for all,[6] but when Uka Uka attempts to fight,[7] Aku Aku reminds him that there could be no malice between them.[8] Uka Uka and Aku Aku agree on holding a contest, with Aku Aku's players going against Uka Uka's.[9] Aku Aku summons Crash and Coco, while Uka Uka summons Doctor Neo Cortex, Doctor Nitrus Brio, Tiny Tiger, Koala Kong, Dingodile and Rilla Roo. Aku Aku protests, as Uka Uka's side has too many players. Challenging Uka Uka's confidence in his own power, Aku Aku demands that he surrender two of his team.[10] Uka Uka agrees and Aku Aku chooses Tiny and Dingodile. With that, the games finally begin.

If the good side wins, Uka Uka, extremely furious, demands to know what kind of trickery was used to defeat his team.[11] Aku Aku denies using any tricks, and announces that he knew from the start that Uka Uka was actually attempting to steal the Crystals.[12] Uka Uka, filled with rage, decides to take it all out on Cortex and Brio when Aku Aku locks the Crystals away in a stone cabinet.[13] He claims that the Crystals are too powerful to be left lying around, and in that cabinet the Crystals will remain safe for all eternity.[14] Uka Uka demands what is coming to him, and Aku Aku gives him the penalty for disturbing the Crystals. Uka Uka is ejected into space.[15]

If the evil side wins, a supernatural storm rages throughout the universe announcing that Uka Uka has won. He reveals that it was his plan all along to steal the Crystals, and that now all of them are his, along with their power.[16] Aku Aku wonders how on Earth he could be so naïve to think that good by itself could triumph over evil. Now that Uka Uka has become too powerful for anyone to handle, Aku Aku pleads Crash and Coco to run away and save themselves.[17] The Mighty Uka Uka bellows that there is nowhere to run or to hide.[18]

If one player is good and the other player is evil, Aku Aku and Uka Uka will state that they must fight each other to find out which side is stronger. The mini-game played, called "Tie Breaker", is a Crate Crush level with music from Papu Pummel. Here, the players fight against each other with the same rules and events that occur in Jungle Bash. The only difference between the two mini-games is that the extra one consists of only two players and takes place in Hyperspace on a stone floor with small stone walls around the edges. After winning one round, the announcer will say "Good wins" for the good character and "Evil wins" for the evil character. The winner at the end of three rounds determines the ending.

Development

The game was designed by Mark Cerny (who designed all the games in the series thus far). The music is composed by Steve Duckworth. The soundtrack is available only in Japan. This disc contains four versions of the Crash Bandicoot song that would air during the commercials in Japan and a remix of the Crash Bash theme.

The Japanese version of Crash Bash, released on December 14, 2000, differs from the usual versions. Fake Crash appears as an unlockable character via a cheat code (although he is not playable in Adventure Mode) and, with the exception of Koala Kong, the character's voices are replaced with Japanese voice actors. Bonus videos are also available, revealing secrets within the previous games.

Reception

Crash Bash received fairly positive reviews from critics upon release. GamesRadar described the game as "more four-player fun than even Ron Jeremy could offer."[20] Human Tornado of GamePro noted that the collection of minigames were "tailor made for up to four player competition" and went on to say that it is "not to say that Crash Bash can't be played alone, but when there's a room full of people, Crash Bash suddenly becomes ten times more fun."[21] Shawn Sparks of Game Revolution praised the "solid" graphics, amount of minigames and "great" multiplayer, and said that "the sheer variety of games will entertain most any party for hours on end (or at least until the beer runs out.)"[22] Doug Perry of IGN concluded that "it's not original and it's not deep, but it's packed with tons of silly games and it's a social magnet amongst the geek elite."[24] Ryan Davis of GameSpot described Crash Bash as "utterly run of the mill, completely middle of the road. Its flaws may not be glaring, but there isn't a single aspect of the game that truly shines through."[23]

References

  1. ^ a b "Crash Bash (PlayStation) at GameSpot". GameSpot. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  2. ^ a b "Crash Bash at GameFAQs". Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  3. ^ "クラッシュ・バンディクー®　カーニバル". PlayStation.com(Japan). Sony. 2008-06-11. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Eurocom (2000). Crash Bash Instruction Booklet. Sony Computer Entertainment America.
  5. ^ Eurocom. Crash Bash (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment America. Level/area: Opening sequence. Aku Aku: Uka Uka, how many times must you be told? You cannot defeat me. / Uka Uka: I have heard enough of your shallow wisdom. It is I who is the strongest, and it is evil that will ultimately prevail!
  6. ^ Eurocom. Crash Bash (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment America. Level/area: Opening sequence. Aku Aku: This bickering can go on no longer. We must resolve this once and for all time.
  7. ^ Eurocom. Crash Bash (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment America. Level/area: Opening sequence. Uka Uka: Hmm... for once, feeble brother, I agree with you. We shall settle this argument. Prepare to fiiiiight!
  8. ^ Eurocom. Crash Bash (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment America. Level/area: Opening sequence. Aku Aku: No, Uka Uka! The Ancients would not allow it! There can be no malice between us.
  9. ^ Eurocom. Crash Bash (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment America. Level/area: Opening sequence. Uka Uka: A contest, then. Good against evil. Your players against mine!
  10. ^ Eurocom. Crash Bash (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment America. Level/area: Opening sequence. Aku Aku: Uka Uka, this is not a fair contest! You have too many players. If your confidence in evil is so great, you can win with equal size. You must surrender two of your team.
  11. ^ Eurocom. Crash Bash (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment America. Level/area: Good ending sequence. Uka Uka: Nooooo!! It cannot be! What sort of trickery was used to defeat I, the great Uka Uka?!
  12. ^ Eurocom. Crash Bash (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment America. Level/area: Good ending sequence. Aku Aku: No trickery. No cheating. Your secret plan to steal the Crystals has failed.
  13. ^ Eurocom. Crash Bash (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment America. Level/area: Good ending sequence. Uka Uka: You have failed me for the last time! You will pay for your incompetence!
  14. ^ Eurocom. Crash Bash (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment America. Level/area: Good ending sequence. Aku Aku: These Crystals are far too powerful to leave lying around. They are safe once more. That is all you need to know.
  15. ^ Eurocom. Crash Bash (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment America. Level/area: Good ending sequence. Uka Uka: What is this!? Aku Aku: The penalty for disturbing the Crystals, my brother!.
  16. ^ Eurocom. Crash Bash (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment America. Level/area: Evil ending sequence. Uka Uka: It was my plan all along, brother! Now I have all of the Crystals, and all of the power!
  17. ^ Eurocom. Crash Bash (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment America. Level/area: Evil ending sequence. Aku Aku: How can this be? Was I so naïve to believe goodness on its own could triumph over evil? Now Uka Uka has the Crystals, the Earth is surely doomed! Run, Crash, hide, my friends! Save yourselves!
  18. ^ Eurocom. Crash Bash (PlayStation). Sony Computer Entertainment America. Level/area: Evil ending sequence. Uka Uka: There is nowhere to hide from the wrath of the Mighty Uka Uka!!!
  19. ^ "Crash Bash for PlayStation - GameRankings". GameRankings. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  20. ^ a b c "Crash Bash (psx) reviews at Metacritic.com". Metacritic. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  21. ^ a b Human Tornado (November 24, 2000). "Review : Crash Bash [PlayStation] - from GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2009-10-02. Retrieved 31 August 2009. Not to say that Crash Bash can't be played alone, but when there's a room full of people, Crash Bash suddenly becomes ten times more fun.
  22. ^ a b Shawn Sparks (November 1, 2000). "Crash Bash review for the PS". Game Revolution. Retrieved 31 August 2009. The sheer variety of games will entertain most any party for hours on end (or at least until the beer runs out.)
  23. ^ a b Ryan T. Davis (November 7, 2000). "Crash Bash Review for PlayStation - Gamespot". GameSpot. Retrieved 31 August 2009. Utterly run of the mill, completely middle of the road. Its flaws may not be glaring, but there isn't a single aspect of the game that truly shines through.
  24. ^ a b Doug Perry (November 7, 2000). "IGN: Crash Bash Review". IGN. Retrieved 31 August 2009. It's not original and it's not deep, but it's packed with tons of silly games and it's a social magnet amongst the geek elite.
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