After passing several worlds, a mode opens in which they allow levels to be launched in a mirrored form. In this case, in addition to the effect that flips the picture from right to left, the image acquires an additional color filter. In addition, sometimes various chips appear in this mode. For example, in the very first level “Wake up and Sing,” the character moves in complete darkness and recognizes various objects through echolocation. At this moment, a wave emanates from the main character, which for a short period manifests objects and opponents around him. And at the “Call of Trophies” stage, a black and white filter is used, but paint splashes out of the boxes when destroyed, giving the environment the desired colors. Such solutions of the developers allow you to get new impressions even from the passed levels. In addition, inverted locations have a separate gem counter, which helps to open costumes for characters faster.
Also scattered around the levels are videotapes of Cortex’s experiments. They open up special, more difficult levels, in which Crash or Coco must complete the tasks of the evil doctor and solve various problems built around jumping on platforms. Since this is an old video, the picture acquires the noise and distortion corresponding to VHS, which creates the effect of video from the nineties.
You can go through the story campaign not only for Crash and Coco. Some of the stages are dedicated to other characters. For example, when the main characters are taken prisoner by pirates, Tona, Crash’s ex-girlfriend, whose image has changed a lot, comes to their rescue. From a stereotypical blonde in a red dress, she turned into a stern warrior with a mohawk, which is due to the plot. She is larger and more powerful than Crash and Coco, which allows her to quickly deal with some opponents. At the same time, the girl is less jumping, and this must be taken into account during double jumps. However, she has a harpoon at her disposal, which Tona releases like a Scorpion from Mortal Kombat. They can easily hit a target at a great distance, be it a box or an enemy. In addition, this gadget allows you to cling to special places in locations in order to quickly fly over the abyss. In certain areas of the level, Tona is also able to grab onto walls and jump away from them.
There are other minor characters to play for. Each with its own characteristics and gameplay features. For example, Doctor Cortex, armed with a blaster, can turn any living creature into a platform or trampoline, and Dingodil, using a vacuum cleaner cannon, is able to attract objects and hover for a short time above the ground. Compared to the main characters, other characters have a completely different approach to the gameplay, which brings variety and makes the passage much more fun and interesting.
These side levels are aptly woven into the plot and show some of the events through the eyes of other characters. Sometimes strange situations happen with Crash or Coco, but only after completing these branches can one understand what actually happened and how it happened.
One of the important elements of the “fourth” part is the system of masks. Each has its own peculiarity and brings new mechanics to the game. The first mask that is given to test controls the space and changes the dimension in which the heroes are. It adds or removes various objects like boxes, platforms, and more. The tasks associated with it require skill, and sometimes you have to switch between worlds on the fly in order to successfully pass this or that test. Other masks also change the familiar concept of gameplay and add abilities, such as stopping time or a powerful vortex that blows everything in its path and allows you to fly over long distances.
By the way, the developers have added a bright yellow crosshair under the character, so that you can more accurately choose the place to land when jumping on platforms. If it seems superfluous, then they give it to be turned off. It is also worth mentioning that here the heroes do not slide off the edge of the platform, as they did in the trilogy remake.
