A new look at Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time has just released on the first day of Gamescom. In an odd video only fit for Crash, the adored video game character travels to the real-world setting of Gamescom to reveal what is in store for him in Crash Bandicoot 4. Geoff Keighley is then joined by Toys for Bob producer Lou Studdert to discuss the brand new feature coming to Crash Bandicoot 4.
Design Producer Lou Studdert reveals Flashback Tapes, new secret levels that must be unlocked by completing a level without dying and grabbing a special tape. Although there are no lives in the game, the requirement of not dying to unlock Flashback Tapes is much like the death routes in the original trilogy. The tapes take Crash back to the '90s, when he was partners with Neo Cortex, to challenge Crash in extremely difficult puzzle levels. The levels are optional but will provide completionists a bigger challenge and new puzzles to conquer outside of the story.
Crash Bandicoot 4 has already revealed some exciting features that are new to the franchise. Crash Bandicoot 4 has new modes like Inverted Mode, which changes level designs and has a different art-style and mirrored controls. The game also caters to new and old fans with the Modern and Retro game modes. The modern mode will lower the difficulty and supply players with automatic checkpoints, while Retro mode brings back the classic lives system.
It was previously announced that both Crash and Coco will be playable characters throughout the whole story. Crash and Coco will also have unlockable skins that are earned with in-game challenges as opposed to microtransactions. Neo Cortex and Dingo Dile are also joining the gang as playable characters, but have different abilities and certain levels they can play.
Crash Bandicoot 4's developer Toys for Bob is trying to maintain the classic platforming feel while bringing new features to the game. Toys for Bob revealed that N. Sanity Beach will return as a level, but will have some different obstacles and challenges than the original first level of the franchise.
Some of the other Crash 4 levels that have been revealed are the "Snow Way Out" level that shows off one of the Quantum Mask abilities and the "Dino Dash" level that brings back the classic challenge of Crash running towards the camera and away from danger. Both levels incorporate new and old features to produce a whole new experience.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time releases October 2 on PS4 and Xbox One.
