Crash Team Rumble Review – GameTopic

Crash Team Rumble Review - GameTopic

Crash Team Rumble: A Tasty Fruit Salad of Fun and Frustrations

On paper, Crash Team Rumble doesn’t seem like it should work. It’s a team-based, competitive platformer that breaks all the rules we associate with other multiplayer games. Instead of knocking out enemies, you’re racing to collect 2,000 Wumpa Fruit before they do. It sounds strange, but trust me, it’s surprisingly fun. It’s like that weird flavor of ice cream that you can’t get enough of.

Let’s talk characters. Rumble pits teams of iconic Crash Bandicoot characters against each other in 4-on-4 matches. There are currently eight characters to choose from, each with their own special abilities and quirks. Whether you’re a Scorer, a Blocker, or a Booster, each character brings something unique to the table. And the best part? They’re all fun to play!

Scorers are the masters of scoring. They can hold more Wumpa Fruit at once, are great at fending off enemies, and have special movement abilities that make them slippery targets. Blockers excel at…well, blocking! They can dominate the enemy team by sitting on their bank, with offensive skills that control the space around them. Boosters have interesting ways to support their team. They capture Gems, which provide a significant scoring boost, and they are custom-built for capturing fights.

But here’s where the game gets really interesting. Each stage has an Epic Relic Station where you can cash in your Relics for incredible power-ups. From Bonus Banks that double your score to summoning dragons, each power-up is tailored to the map’s theme. It adds a whole new layer of strategy to the game, making each match unique and exciting.

The matches themselves have a dynamic flow. They start as races to capture Gems and build early leads, then turn into intense battles over Wumpa, Relic Stations, and Gems. The outcome of each match depends on your ability to adapt on the fly and execute your gameplan. No match is the same, and that’s what makes it so much fun.

Picking your team composition is crucial, as once the match starts, you can’t switch characters. Each character brings their own playstyle and strengths. For example, Dingodile, my personal favorite, is a great Blocker with his vacuum ability. But even as a Blocker, he can still score in a pinch. The flexibility of each character adds depth to the gameplay and keeps things interesting.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. Some characters just seem better than others. Unlocking characters is a bit of a grind, and some of the best characters are locked behind high badge requirements. It’s frustrating, but it doesn’t ruin the overall experience. Every character feels viable and brings something unique to the table.

Speaking of uniqueness, Crash Team Rumble’s map design is top-notch. Each map feels distinct and fun to play. Whether it’s the verticality of Surreal Summit or the open brawling of City Scrape, the maps create a strategic playground for battles. Kudos to Toys for Bob for creating such colorful and memorable environments.

Cosmetics are a bonus in Crash Team Rumble. Dressing up your characters can be a lot of fun. Who doesn’t want to see Dingodile in a hockey outfit or Coco rocking a cowboy hat? It adds a personal touch to your gameplay experience and makes each character feel like your own.

However, the lack of alternative game modes is a downside. While matchmaking is fast and seamless, the game can feel repetitive without more variety. A tutorial, practice matches, private matches, and competitive matches are all there, but something is missing. A game as delicious as Crash Team Rumble needs more flavors to satisfy our gaming appetites.

In the end, Crash Team Rumble is a tasty fruit salad of fun and frustrations. Despite its flaws, it’s a unique and enjoyable multiplayer experience. So grab your friends, jump into the action, and prepare to collect Wumpa Fruit like there’s no tomorrow. Just make sure you don’t stay up until three in the morning playing. Trust me, I speak from experience.