Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

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Game Information
Name: Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
Genre: Platform
Release Date: October 10, 2007
Developers: Naughty Dog
Publishers: Sony Computer Entertainment
Modes: Single-player
Console(s): Playstation One, Playstation Network

Plot
This game picks up from where the previous game left off. It is sometime after Crash defeated Cortex and he is happily living with his sister in a hut. His sister sends Crash off to run an errand when he is abducted by a spacecraft. He is told that to save the world, he must find all of the power-storing gems throughout different worlds that can be accessed through portals. Crash is told by Doctor Brio who he defeated in the first game for working with Cortex that he is actually collecting the gems to give Cortex world domination and that he should give the gems to Doctor Brio so he can destroy Cortexs Cortex Vortex which will store the energy he needs. Cortex tells Crash that Doctor Brio is actually lying to him but Crash ignores his and trust Doctor Brio which is a good move as he helps him defeat Cortex and destroy the Cortex Vortex, once again saving the world.

Gameplay
The gameplay in this game is quite similar to the gameplay of the sequel with very minimal changes. The objective of this game is to enter each portal and travel through the set path to reach the end of the path whilst searching for a crystal along the way. However, in this game there are many more enemies and actions for Crash to perform such as sliding, higher jumps, quickly spinning and belly flops. Different enemies can only be defeated using specific moves which is a new aspect added into the game. Throughout levels, Crash can go enter small bonus levels where he can earn extra lives to help him through the full levels. When the player completes all five portals and gets the gems for each level, he may progress to the next level, but only after defeating the boss man on the way to the next room, which are more of Cortexs mutated animal minions.

Graphics
The graphics in this game are very similar to the graphics in the original game, the game does look slightly better and the graphics were still extremely impressive for the games time of release but more games were beginning to compare with the games great graphics in 1997. Nowadays, the graphics would not be considered as they were then as our standards have increased dramatically over the past fifteen years but the game is still easily play-able. As always, the game is still animated and has very bright with radiant colours which make Crash Bandicoot appealing to younger audiences as well of some older players.


Controls
The controls really arent anything special once again but they are definitely much better than on the original game. There are more moves which the player can perform which can be completed using very basic combinations of buttons on the controller. The player can still only move with one analogue stick and the camera angles did get better, but still not perfected and cause some issues still. Overall, the controls are decent, but could definitely be improved.

Ratings (Personal)
Plot: 6/10
Game play: 7/10
Graphics: 8/10
Controls: 6/10
Overall: 7/10