Update: We had previously reported the preorder demo access was exclusive to PlayStation 4. Based on the tweet by the game’s official Twitter account, this would appear to apply to both platforms; PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. We have updated the original story to reflect this.
Original Story:
PlayStation Underground have revealed Tawna will be playable in Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, along with almost 15 minutes of gameplay.
While Tawna was Crash’s girlfriend in the original Crash Bandicoot, the one we see here is one from another dimension. While Coco states they haven’t kept in contact with their Tawna (Crash Team Tacing: Nitro Fueled not playing into continuity), it is heavily implied this Tawna’s Crash and Coco have died, or worse.
Despite her reluctance to work with others, players will be able to control this Tawna, armed with round-house kicks, wall-jumps, and a grappling hook. Speaking to producer Lou Studdert and writer Mandy Benanav, they reveal Tawna is the last revealed playable character
Tawna specializes in zipping around stages quickly, and inspired by an 80s action-hero aesthetic; showing that Tawna has had her own share of adventures before.
Benanav explains bringing the character back was a cool experience, while the alternate universe opened up ways to writer her. Benanav explained she received the character’s design first, and worked out what personality to apply to her and how she would appear in the story.
The main adventure will be a linear progression of stages akin to the first game. Each character outside of the main duo of Crash and Coco (Cortex, Dingodile, and Tawna) will have a stage in the main adventure; introducing their story and how they play.
After that, their stages are optional stages called Time Lines. Playing these reveal how their action affect the main story for Crash and Coco. For example, Cortex will be hindering the duo, Tawna will be helping, and Dingodile is an “accidental tourist” causing havoc by mistake.
The gameplay also shows off several of the N.Verted stages; stages modified with unique visual and gameplay altering effects. Studdert explains that as players build up a muscle-memory for Crash stages, these N.Verted stages will “completely mess with that” so players have a new challenge to learn and master.
As stated in the video description and announced by the game’s official Twitter account, those who pre-order the game digitally will get access to the demo on September 16th. This will feature two levels, Snow Way Out and Dino Dash, and players being able to play as Cortex in the former.
You can find the Tawna gameplay reveal below.
You can find the full rundown (via the official website) below.
CRASH FOURWARD INTO A TIME SHATTERED ADVENTURE
NEW ADVENTURE
IT’S ABOUT TIME!
LITERALLY.
The devious villains Neo Cortex and Dr. N. Tropy have finally escaped their interdimensional prison, leaving an evil scientist sized hole in the universe. Now they’ve got their eyes set on not only simply conquering this dimension, but all dimensions, and it’s up to Crash and Coco to save the day. N. Sanity Beach is where Crash’s adventure first started, and where it begins in Crash 4. But there have definitely been changes since players first saw N. Sanity Beach all those years ago, and throughout Crash 4 you’ll notice changes to gameplay and even the art style.
NEW POWERS
ALL NEW POWERS
BEND THE RULES OF REALITY
Crash 4 introduces the Quantum Masks, the powerful protectors of time and space. Crash and Coco will need their assistance throughout the game to tackle the crazy challenges that are going to be thrown at gameplayers. Whether it’s Ika-Ika, who gives gamers the ability to instantly flip your center of gravity at the press of a button, Kupuna-Wa, who allows players to slow down time, or Lani-Loli, who allows one to phase-shift elements in and out of existence. Bend the rules of reality and alter your environment with these new masks on your journey to restore order to the multiverse.
NEW N.SANITY
EMBRACE IT.
Crash Bandicoot games have long been about finding new and interesting ways to play through the adventure. While you can switch between playing as Crash or Coco throughout this game, you’ll also get some fresh perspectives and new gameplay from alternate timeline paths. Learn some new tricks with Neo Cortex’s blaster or reek some havoc with Dingodile’s vacuum gun. On top of that, players can discover the bumpa berry-fueled take on mirror mode – n. Verted mode. This mode offers new ways to experience the game and earn rewards. One dimension could be asking you to traverse through a neon wasteland, while another tasks players with spinning paint all over the environment to see their path forward. Expect all of this n. Sanity – and more – in crash 4.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time launches October 2nd on PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
