Along his journey Crash will come across special mojo rooms with specific challenges like collecting a certain amount of green mojo in a set amount of time, or jacking a certain number of mutants in a set amount of time. The challenges are fun, and there’s much mojo to be obtained, but any health lost in the room carries over to the “real world” so there is a little risk reward analysis to be done.
Finally, the game sports a very fun co-op mode that allows players to switch between piggyback and leapfrog mode. In piggyback mode, the players can play together with one jumping into the backpack of another if things get too hairy. The only thing both players can’t do at once is ride a monster, which is a bummer; however it’s understandable for game balance reasons. Leapfrog mode is definitely the more challenging, but more fun mode of the two, which automatically switches control of Crash every time Crash jumps or hover boards. Having the control bounce between players is a lot of fun and requires the players to be in constant communication.
Visually, the game has lots of bright colors and a nicely done cartoony style. Graphically, the Wii has a slight edge here as the game runs in progressive scan on it, which gives the graphics a crisper, more colorful look. Audio is the same on both games with some very impressive voice work and some hilarious background jokes, particularly when traveling through Doctor N. Gin's missile factory. The whole game has a very good, light sense of humor which includes, in the Wii version, the ability to switch the cursor to various items such as a purple afro, a monocle and a top hat to put on the characters during cut scenes. Some of the jokes fall flat, but for the most part, it’s a very enjoyable game.
On the control side, the nod has to go to the Wii here. Both games have easy to use control schemes however the Wii version has the freedom of using the Wiimote as a pointer for the beasties with ranged attacks. The PS2 uses a cumbersome mode of holding down the R1 button and aiming with the control stick that is a bit much to handle when you’re in a boss battle and you need to take out four targets at a time. The Wii also sports motion controls for the monsters’ special attacks, which are mapped to the x button on the PS2. Yes, hitting one button is easier for the attacks, but it’s a lot more fun to take the Wiimote and nunchuck and beat them against your chest and then slam them to the ground for the Scorporilla’s special attack, or flap them like wings for the giant bat attacks. It’s certainly a matter of personal choice, but the Wii version just seemed more fun. The Wii version also sports the ability to collect mojo with the cursor in game, which makes it easier to collect mojo before it fades away. That alone is reason enough to go with the Wii version. Both versions have minimal camera control, which can be a pain when enemies spawn in behind you, or when you need to see your target vine or platform better, however it rarely keeps the game from being fun.
Whichever version you choose, you’ll be able to get through the game in about six to seven hours on the medium difficultly level, less time if you forego the special mojo rooms. Completionists will require much more time to collect all of the concept art as well as the various skins you obtain by defeating a certain number of minions or jacking a certain number of mutants. Obtaining the skins is paramount to attempting the game on the hardest difficulty level as they allow you to defeat enemies in one hit, perfect for jacking a beastie when you’re surrounded by angry Ratcicles.
The game may not win any awards for length, or variety, but the game play it does offer is lots of fun, well acted and presented with a high level of quality. Those looking for nothing more than an afternoon riding around on giant beasts and generally smashing anything they come across will have a good time with Crash of the Titans.
