Title: Crash: Mind Over Mutant
Platform: DS, PSP, PS2, Xbox 360 (reviewed), Wii
Studio: Activision
Rated: E 10+ for everyone 10 and older — cartoon violence, crude humor, mild suggestive themes
Score: 8 of 10

THE REVIEW:

Gameplay: There is really nothing new in this game that revisits the beloved Crash and his host of friends and enemies. There are the standard funny villains to beat up, puzzles to solve, monsters to escape from or control and a story on rails that directs you through the game. But while it isn't innovative, the newest incarnation of the old standby cute adventure animal is fun! It is goofy and innocent and occasionally challenging fun for those with some game savvy.

A lot of games these days take themselves very seriously. There is nothing wrong with that but a little humor in a game that can be shared by adults and children is a welcome addition to the game library. Crash is again fighting evil, carefully scripted by an absurd plot. He faces the threat of giant flowers and smart-mouthed opponents as well as the bigger mutants that Crash can ride and control.

The game will take parents back to the days of the PlayStation when a game like this was cutting edge. While it has a bit of a retro feel for older players, young players will be free to experience the easy-to-understand goals in the game and the slick, styled cutscenes and the uncomplicated plot.

Co-op play with two players can sometimes be frustrating because the camera follows one player, demanding that the two stay together even when this bucks a player's instincts or desire to explore. Crash's spin move was also slightly awkward because it relies on constant circles with the thumbstick. It would be interesting to see how it operates on the Wii or DS system.

Graphics: The storytelling cutscenes are tributes to many eras of gaming. While the feel slightly disconnected from the game because of their highly stylized production, they are fun. There isn't anything especially new about the game's environments but they are fun and fitting.

Audio: There are more and better character voices here than you would guess at first blush, and they are uniformly good. The soundtrack is also fun and varied enough that it doesn't drive anybody crazy, which is more than can be said for some earlier versions of Crash.

WRAP UP

Parent's take: This is a kid-friendly game that adults can have fun with as well. There is cartoon violence but even the worst badies feel mean but not evil; and Crash, of course, has the heart of a hero.

Final word: An unsophisticated game that is simple and fun.