I'm biased towards platformers. Not necessarily biased towards Nintendo, Sony or (one particular) Sega platformers that emerged over the last thirty years – but biased towards loving a decent platformer. I still buy them over any other genre in 2017, happy to pay full price like its 1991 – when Mario, Sonic and co had majority market share of this industry.
With that said, the Crash N Sane trilogy is amazing. It's a collection of the three earliest and best titles remade (not a basic remaster) with HD visuals (supporting PS4 pro), better sound, and slightly tweaked analog control between all three games. All the while, said updates don't change the games – they merely appear modern, and continue to play like they did from 1996 onward.
Some reviewers state the games feel both old and outdated. To this I say – sure, but not in a crude reductionist manner that makes them out to be lesser experiences.
Crash 1 and 2 are pure platformers, Crash 3 is 80% platformer 20 % fun diversion. Crash 1 and 2 – running and jumping, basic jump and spin mechanics, 2 also having a quick slide into a high jump – focus gameplay into a tight experience, both in level design and mechanics. Such elegant simplicity allows the player to first learn the basics, then with time, master the controls and level design to create zen like experiences. Sound, gameplay, visual cues, taking risks – all rewards the player with immersion.
Consequently, all three games are very accessible yet contain welcome difficultly. Easy to learn the basics, easy to play early levels, level design dictates no getting lost. All three games start like this and offer new players good value. As player gets better, the real fun starts when the game begins to kick you down a bit but you know you have the skills to progress. What follows is that compulsive loop of rewarding challenge, solid replay value, and fun. Accessible but hardcore. I completed Crash 1's story this weekend (the hardest game) and the experience is just as good in 2017 as it was in 1996. It isn't too hard or outdated.
Just a brief note on sound. The remade sounds are awesome, I had a blast with headphones over the weekend. They are so similar to the old games, but sound better and cleaner. Smashing crates and absorbing woompa fruit is more satisfying than ever. Most voice actors return for this trilogy and they flesh out both story and atmoshpere better than the old games.
I'm playing on original ps4, and even up close with 42 inch 1080p, visuals look stunning. Can only imagine PS4 pro visuals…
Overall a charming, fun, challenging platforming trilogy of solid value. Must own for platform fanatics. Easily worth the money for new players too.