The first Crash Bandicoot game to be released for a console other than the original PlayStation, Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex was released in 2004. The events of the tale take place some time after the events of Warped. Dr. Cortex is seeking vengeance after being vanquished by Crash (again). In order to accomplish this, he devises Crunch, a super-bandicoot that is capable of destroying anything that stands in his path. The source of Crunch’s strength is a collection of mystical masks referred to as the Elementals. Each of these masks represents a distinct element, including earth, water, fire, and ice. The warp room subdivides the stages into their various elements, and the boss fight of each segment is a confrontation with Crunch, with the outcome of the fight being determined by the Elemental mask of the relevant section.
The gameplay consists primarily of jumping and running, however there are also other action sequences, such as aerial battle and a segment in which Crash is locked inside a gigantic sphere that is moving about like some kind of rollercoaster. The sound is typical of cartoon-style games like this one, and the entire graphical presentation is in three dimensions. The overall design of the game is quite user-friendly, and there is very little chance of players becoming frustrated with any of the game’s puzzles.
