Crash of the Titans | |
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Developer(s) | Amaze Entertainment |
Publisher(s) | Vivendi Games[a] |
Director(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Designer(s) |
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Programmer(s) |
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Artist(s) | Kevin Chung |
Composer(s) | Nathaniel Papadakis |
Series | Crash Bandicoot |
Platform(s) | Nintendo DS |
Release | October 25, 2007 |
Genre(s) | Platform |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Crash of the Titans is a 2007 platform video game developed by Amaze Entertainment and published by Vivendi Games for the Nintendo DS. It is an installment in the Crash Bandicoot series and an alternate version of the console-based title of the same name that makes extensive use of the Nintendo DS's touchpad and microphone. The game centers on the titular character Crash Bandicoot, who must use combat moves to subdue and take control of large creatures called "Titans" that are being created by Crash's arch-nemesis Doctor Neo Cortex. The game received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the gameplay variety and visuals, but criticized the controls.
Gameplay
The Nintendo DS version of Crash of the Titans contains similar gameplay to that of previous Crash installments. The game takes place on four islands, each with two levels and a boss. When a boss is defeated, a new island is unlocked.[1] Each island has its own "Pachinko board" where players can win "on-demand items"; items that can be used to restore health, provide temporary invincibility, and set off Nitro explosions among other things. Additional content can also be won at these Pachinko boards, such as gallery art, cheats and a large quantity of Mojo.[1]
Plot
Doctor Neo Cortex harnesses an ancient power known as "Mojo" and uses it to transform the peaceful creatures of Wumpa Island into powerful creatures called "Titans". To obtain Mojo, Cortex captures a slew of Tiki Masks that act as its source, including Crash's ally Aku Aku. Crash confronts Cortex and manages to free Aku Aku as Cortex escapes. While Crash and Aku Aku venture through the archipelago and collect Mojo, Cortex tasks his henchmen Doctor N. Gin and Tiny Tiger with construction and stockpiling fuel for a colossal and purportedly unignorable "Cortexbot", and his niece Nina with continuing to mutate the local wildlife. Another minion, Dingodile, tries and fails to impede Crash. In the midst of her task, Nina — dissatisfied with her position and perceiving the plan's inadequacy — begins plotting to take over her uncle's operation, and she recruits N. Gin and Tiny following their defeat at Crash's hands. Nina eventually confronts Cortex, and it is revealed that the Cortexbot's only purpose is to dance.
Crash and Nina pursue the escaping Cortex into the Cortexbot, where Cortex feigns surrender. If the player had not gathered all the game's collectibles, Crash deflects a shot from Nina's mutating raygun back at her, transforming her into an infant. Cortex attempts to eliminate Crash himself, but he is defeated and his Cortexbot is destroyed. Cortex and a restored Nina escape to their mansion, where Cortex compliments Nina's treachery. If the player obtained 100% completion, Nina successfully shoots Crash with her raygun, transforming him into an impotent small-bodied version of himself. Nina then defeats Cortex herself, after which he orders N. Gin and Tiny to repair the Cortexbot, intending to destroy Wumpa Island with it.
Development and release
Crash of the Titans was developed by Amaze Entertainment, who had previously developed the Nintendo DS versions of installments in the Spyro series, and published by Vivendi Games under its Sierra Entertainment label.[2] Development was led by Eli Ford and Marc Hall, with Amaze's Mike Platteter and Radical Entertainment's Joe Selinske serving as producers.[3] The development team sought to have the game reflect the flavor and story of the console version while playing to the platform's strengths by incorporating extensive use of the touchpad and microphone into its gameplay.[4] Kevin Chung was the lead artist, heading an art and animation team consisting of Platteter, Caleb Parrish, Jerry Vorhies, Nelson Brown, Bryan Fu, Sketch Ditty, and Nick Hamilton. The game was designed by Shawn Truesdell, Darrin Michelson, and Kami Neumiller; Truesdell and Neumiller also programmed the game alongside Platteter and Michael Humes.[3] The music was composed by Nathaniel Papadakis, while the sound effects were designed by Matt Piersall and Jimi Barker.[3] The voice acting for the Nintendo DS version, cast and directed by Eric Weiss, was recorded a few months after that of the console version, and features a smaller pool of actors, consisting of Jess Harnell, Lex Lang, Greg Eagles, Debi Derryberry, and Nolan North.[3][5] The characters Crunch and Uka Uka, who appear in the console version, are absent from the Nintendo DS version.[5] The Nintendo DS version of Crash of the Titans was revealed alongside the console version in April 2007.[2] and it was released in North America and Australia on October 25, 2007.[6][7]
Reception
Aggregator | Score |
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Metacritic | 73/100[8] |
Publication | Score |
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GameSpot | 7/10[9] |
GameZone | 6.9/10[10] |
IGN | 8/10[11] |
Nintendo World Report | 7.5/10[12] |
Pocket Gamer | 6/10[13] |
Crash of the Titans received "mixed or average" reviews according to aggregator Metacritic.[8] Craig Harris of IGN considered the game to be "a fantastic apology for Crash Boom Bang!" and praised Crash's new design as well as the game's visuals, level design and gameplay variety, but felt that the combat and the incorporation of some touch screen elements were clunky.[11] Zachary Miller of Nintendo World Report commended the fast-paced and interesting gameplay and colorful and distinct graphics, but felt that the environments and enemy types blended together, and while he was fairly impressed with the voice-acting, he was critical of the storyline and inclusion of a laugh track.[12] Frank Provo of GameSpot commended the gameplay variety granted by the jacking mechanic and slaloming segments, and was impressed by the graphics, which provided a "slick and upbeat" presentation, but he lamented the game's short length.[9] Louis Bedigian of GameZone considered the basic gameplay and graphics to be comparable to the original PlayStation games, but said that the frequent amount of enemies caused the gameplay to become repetitive, deemed the touchscreen controls unwieldy and unnecessary, and lambasted the voice-acting as childish.[10]
Notes
- ^ Released under the Sierra Entertainment brand name
References
- ^ a b JumpButton (2007-07-12). "Crash Mania official interview with Amaze Entertainment". Crash Mania. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-13.
- ^ a b Harris, Craig (April 19, 2007). "Crash of the Titans First Look". IGN. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Amaze Entertainment (October 25, 2007). Crash of the Titans (Nintendo DS). Vivendi Games. Level/area: Credits.
- ^ Jordan, Jon (August 15, 2007). "Talking Crash of the Titans DS, PSP and GBA with Radical Entertainment". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ a b "Crash Mania - Crash of the Titans - News". Crash Mania. September 29, 2007. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- ^ Magrino, Tom (October 22, 2007). "Shippin' Out October 22-26: Ratchet & Clank, Jericho, Conan, Phoenix Wright". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 4, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Kozanecki, James (October 22, 2007). "AU Shippin' Out October 25-October 26: Eye of Judgement, The Orange Box and SWAT". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ a b "Crash of the Titans for DS Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on August 17, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2007.
- ^ a b Provo, Frank (November 9, 2007). "Crash of the Titans Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ a b Bedigian, Louis (November 1, 2007). "CRASH of the Titans Review - Nintendo DS". GameZone. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
- ^ a b Harris, Craig (October 10, 2007). "Crash of the Titans Review". IGN. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2007.
- ^ a b Miller, Zachary (October 26, 2007). "DS Review: Crash of the Titans". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on October 29, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2007.
- ^ Erickson, Tracy (October 10, 2007). "DS review, Crash of the Titans". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2022.