Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Timebrings players the beloved challenging platforming they came to enjoy inCrash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, andCrash Bandicoot 3: Warped. This fourth entry in the venerable and long-running series takes what made the original trilogy so remarkable, namely, tight platforming, strong level design, anda quirky cast of characters, and ratchets up the fun.

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For those new to the series or for those returning after many years away from Crash’s games,It’s About Timeprovides players with a refined and nuanced 3d platforming experience. Don’t expect this game to hold your hand in any meaningful way. There are many common gameplay mistakes players make while playingCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time.Here are the best ones to avoid.

7Not Using The Shadow For Jumps

One reason theoriginalCrashgames were so darn hardis that it wasn’t easy to tell where Crash and friends would land when jumping. EnterCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Timeand the game gives players a fancy yellow circle shadow thing that denotes where players will land during various jumps.

While this might sound like an altogether simple addition, it makes all the difference in the world. Being able to tell where Crash and friends will land, especially during the trickier stages, makes timing jumps much more effective. Be sure to use this feature and get used to what it looks like when platforming across the diverse stages in the game.

crash jumping on planks near pirate ship in crash bandicoot 4 it’s about time

6Missing The Nitro Box At The End Of Stages

All throughout the stages inCrash Bandicoot 4are various noxious green nitro boxes that explore upon contact, ensuring Crash and friends meet their demise andhead back to the most recent checkpoint. While it might seem obvious to just avoid touching them, this isn’t always so easy to do since they can often be placed right next to other boxes such as ones that contain wumpa fruits.

For those that find themselves confused as to how to get the 100% completion for all of the boxes in each stage, worry not, since there is a box at the end of stages that, once hit, smashes all nitro boxes. It’s easy to miss doing this after an arduous stage.

crash running to some crates and a baddie in crash bandicoot 4 it’s about time

5Don’t Simply Break The Big Wumpa Fruit Box

One of the game’s main collectibles are the famous wumpa fruits, apple/mango-looking fruits that are found all throughout each stage with each 100 of them giving Crash and friends a much-needed extra life. Wumpa fruits can be found lying on the ground, floating in the air, or even in regular, breakable boxes.

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Crash Bandicoot stands in a forest with boxes near him and a temple behind

However, there is one special type of box that holds a plethora of wumpa fruits but needs to be broken in a specific way, otherwise the many will be replaced with one or none. Players that encounter these boxes will immediately notice that they look different given that they look more like a cage. Instead of breaking it outright, simply jump on them over and over until all wumpa fruits have been obtained.

4Forgetting About Each Character’s Unique And Special Moves

Crash Bandicoot 4allows players to play as different characters from the Crash universe, namely, Crash, Coco, Tawna, Dingodile,and Neo Cortex. It’s a really surprising and nice gameplay addition since each of the characters handles differently and each has their own unique moveset and abilities.

For example, Tawna is a larger, stronger character and can punch and kick baddies but she can also use a hookshot and can jump between certain walls similar to that ofMario. Tawna’s levels almost feel like they are taken from a different game given her unique abilities. When starting up a stage with a new character, don’t forget to get to grips with each of their abilities.

tawna standing near hookshot point in crash bandicoot 4 it’s about time

3The Trusty Belly Slam And Slide Attack

In terms of who most players will be spending a good chunk of time playing as inCrash 4 (Crash Bandicoot), it’s easy to forget Crash’s secondary moves, namely, the belly slam and the slide attack. These two moves specifically are generally underutilized by players which can make certain stages much more challenging.

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crash doing a belly slam on a pirate ship in crash bandicoot 4 it’s about time

Crash is able to perform a belly slam by jumping or double jumping and then hitten a certain button which allows him to slam back to the ground. This move is typically used for breaking the steel-lined cage crates, however, it can also be used as an attack. Similarly, the slide attack is so forgotten that many players might not even realize it exists in the game. This slide move shouldn’t be avoided since it’s great for navigating through and around certain stage hazards or enemy attacks.

2Skipping The Secret Areas On Purpose

Crash 4features a bevy of secret areas that act as mini standalone platfomring stages. These secret areas are denoted by their question mark platforms that take Crash and friends away to another part of the stage. These hidden areasare downright punishingbut reward players with gems, wumpa fruits, and plenty of other goodies.

However, many players likely avoid these areas since they can prove too punishing from time to time. Doing so will not only ensure players miss out on some great collectibles but also ensures that certain platforming mechanics aren’t mastered how they should be. Take on the challenge of these secret areas to truly up your platofrming skills inCrash 4.

crash standing near a secret area pad in crash bandicoot 4 it’s about time

1Yes, The Water Look Pretty; No, Don’t Swim In It

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Timeis a downright gorgeous game, offering up meaty visuals, a vibrant presentation, andplenty of charm to carry over into future games, should that come to fruition. Many players love water graphics and water physics in their favorite video games andCrash 4is no execption.

The water in this game looks so lush, refreshing, and enticing. Unfortunately, jumping into the beautiful waters leads Crash and friends to their demise, making them restart at the nearest checkpoint. Simply put, avoid jumping into the water and just enjoy from a safe, dry distance.

tawna standing on an island looking at the water in crash bandicoot 4 it’s about time