Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: VU Games
  • Release Date: Oct 29, 2001
Metascore
66 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 22
  3. Negative: 2 out of 22
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  1. All Game Guide
    60
    Those looking for revolutionary gameplay or a game that pushes the envelope of the latest generation of gaming systems will most certainly be disappointed.
  2. Cloudchaser
    70
    The control is tight, the graphics don't look too shabby, and the sub-stages that break up the platforming action are second-to-none.
  3. Core Magazine
    75
    The graphics and sound are excellent, but the most constricting drawback is the extremely long gameplay-disrupting load times.
  4. Electric Playground
    40
    Not only is the gameplay un-revised on this much more powerful platform, but much of the former joy in the series has been drained away. The characters, levels and gameplay are essentially flat.
  5. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    45
    When forced to blindly jump, die, then discover what you missed, where I come from, that’s just cheating. [Dec 2001, p.238]
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  6. FHM
    60
    The platform game grows up.
  7. Game Informer
    68
    The outrageously bad load times keep the game from being average. [Jan 2002, p.81]
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  8. GamePro
    60
    If you were hoping the new management would give Crash a big kick in the pants, however, this is one pair of pants you will find quite unkicked.
  9. GamerWeb Sony
    75
    The non-stop action can get a bit repetitive and ultimately tiresome, and the sound effects may begin to wear on the nerves after a few hours of playing.
  10. Games Radar
    50
    [Games Radar Rating = Miss] fans of the series deserve more than a shiny retread. Although the legend remains intact for now, it'd be a crime if Crash was still spinning along the same narrow path next year.
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  11. GameShark
    70
    The same old stuff in a new skin and THE WORLD'S WORST LOADING TIME EVER.
  12. GameSpot
    66
    Maintains the status quo and fails to deliver a fresh, compelling experience.
  13. GameSpy
    62
    It’s got average graphics and average level design. This game is as average as games can get.
  14. GameZone
    80
    Any Crash Bandicoot fan would be a fool not to go out and buy this game. I started playing at 2am one night and did not stop until three in the afternoon!
  15. Hot Games
    80
    If platform-hopping and coin-collection isn't your bag, you'll want to avoid Crash before he gets on your last nerve.
  16. IGN
    74
    A decent playing and pretty looking Crash Bandicoot game. It's nothing terribly special, but it's not bad, not bad at all.
  17. Maxim Online
    60
    This confrontation between Crash and his massively noggined nemesis, Dr. Cortex, is the most innovative yet.
  18. Next Generation Magazine
    60
    Worst of all, the load times are horrendous. [Dec 2001, p.100]
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  19. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    70
    When the strongest feeling I get from a game is the desire to play its predecessors, something's not quite right. [Dec 2001, p.162]
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  20. PSX Nation
    60
    A by the books sequel that takes playing it safe to a new level. Come on guys this easily could have been done on the PS One and it probably should have.
  21. Total Video Games
    80
    We could [have] really enjoyed this game however after a while it just gets too repetitive and frustrating to play for more than 30 minutes.
  22. Yahoo! Games
    50
    More of the same from the Crash series, albeit wrapped up in nice new PS2 visuals. If you want innovation, try elsewhere.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 37
  3. Negative: 8 out of 37
  1. JorgeC.
    10
    GREAT but the loading sucks.
  2. Neo010390
    7
    Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex is a good platforming game but it is no different to its previous title, Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped. The story starts off with Cortex who is back for the 4th time (gee hasn't he finally decided to give up after failing so many times) along with his minions and Uka Uka who has become growingly tired of their poor efforts of conquering the world. Cortex however informs Uka Uka that he has been building a new super advanced bandicoot named Crunch however he is missing a power source. Uka Uka then tells everyone about the elementals who are a group of masks who have the power of earth, water, fire and air but have been locked away for centuries. Cortex and Uka Uka decide to free them as there destructive power will bring Crunch to life and attempt to finally defeat Crash once and for all. It's now up to Crash and his sister Coco to stop them before they destroy the earth and maybe this time they'll crush him for good. Gameplay is similar its predecessor, you in a warp room and you start off in the first warp hub. Each hub consists of 5 levels and in those levels are Crystals, Gems and Relics. Once you have collected 5 crystals in the first warp hub you will be able to access the boss battle, defeat him and you'll gain access to the next warp hub where there are 5 new levels to explore. There are 6 warp hubs in total (one of them can't be accessed until you collect 5 Relics), 25 Crystals, 46 Gems and 30 Relics. So as you can see it is exactly the same as Warped, there are only a few new surprises for example Coco is now a playable character, yes you could play as her in Warped but she could only ride on her pet tiger Pura and in her Jet Ski on the water levels. In this one you can use her as if you were playing as Crash to fight off enemies and she has some really cool karate moves too, like a spinning kick. There are a lot more vehicles in this one and most of the levels involve you using them rather than Crash and Coco themselves. Some of them are good (the 4x4 alien suit in particular which is my faviroute) but some of them aren't and can be really frustrating in levels. Graphically the game looks good and has really stepped up from the PS1 to PS2, some of the levels are very well designed and have great background layouts. The music for the levels are brilliant and match perfectly as well as the audio and voice acting. Some voice actors are back from its last title Warped which is good as well as some new ones. Crunch's voice actor is great and definatly fits dark tough villan. I didn't think this was a bad game, it's just not spectacular and it would have been nice if they could have made it more fresh. The only critism I have is the long loading times, every time you start a new game, load up from where you last saved or enter a level it takes over a minute to get through the loading screen. Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex is a good platforming game but it is no different to its previous title, Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped.… Full Review »
  3. JeremyM.
    9
    This game may not be as innovative most action/playformers out there, but Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex has some extremely new content, incredible and imaginative levels and bosses, and a huge amount of unlockables, abilities, and crazy ideas to fill you up with praise. Get this game.… Full Review »
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