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Crash Bandicoot™ 4: It’s About Time similar games & best alternatives

Crash Bandicoot™ 4: It’s About Time

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 • 2022

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Quick resume

It’s About Time - the critically-acclaimed Crash Bandicoot™ 4: It's About Time is now on Steam!

Global score

87/100

Genres

Action, Platform

Similar games

    Pros

    • Faithful continuation of original trilogy
    • Challenging and rewarding platforming
    • Creative level design and new mechanics
    • Vibrant visuals and animations
    • Good optimization and performance

    Cons

    • Extremely difficult 100% and 106% completion
    • Hidden crates and gems can be frustrating
    • Long levels with tedious replay requirements
    • N. verted mode seen as padding and annoying
    • Some camera and hitbox issues

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Relaxation, Survival, Violence, Fellowship. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Status, Competition. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have control over their actions and decisions with multiple playable characters, new mask abilities, and choice of levels; gameplay encourages skill and mastery."

    • Competence
      5

      "The game is challenging with precise platforming, difficult collectibles, and demanding time trials that reward skill and mastery."

    • Competition
      1

      "While there are leaderboards and time trials, the focus is mostly on personal skill and completion rather than direct competition."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Many players report long playtimes and habitual engagement especially when pursuing 100% or 106% completion."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "The game is a single-player platformer with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

    • Creativity
      4

      "Creative level design, new mask mechanics, multiple playable characters with unique playstyles, and varied environments."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; gameplay is individual and skill-based."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game as a nostalgic, immersive platforming experience to escape real life and enjoy vibrant worlds."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal desire and nostalgia; no indication of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players explore new mechanics like mask powers and alternate characters, experimenting with different gameplay styles."

    • Exploration
      3

      "The game encourages discovering hidden crates, gems, and secrets across varied and colorful levels."

    • Expression
      3

      "Players can unlock and customize skins for characters, allowing some degree of self-expression."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "The game features imaginative, cartoonish worlds, characters, and storylines with time travel and multiverse elements."

    • Fellowship
      -4

      "The experience is primarily solo with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

    • Growth
      4

      "Players develop platforming skills, learn level layouts, and improve timing to overcome difficult challenges."

    • Health
      -5

      "The game promotes sedentary play with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement due to challenging platforming and precise timing."

    • Intimacy
      -5

      "No close relationships or emotional sharing; gameplay is individual and task-focused."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements; players act independently."

    • Progression
      4

      "Players accumulate items, skins, relics, and collectibles as they progress through the game."

    • Relaxation
      -3

      "The game is challenging and sometimes frustrating, causing tension rather than relaxation."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Vibrant visuals, animations, and music provide sensory stimulation and enjoyment."

    • Status
      1

      "Some recognition through achievements and leaderboards, but mostly individual focus."

    • Story
      3

      "The game features a narrative with characters and plot that connects to the original trilogy."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Players must plan and execute precise platforming strategies and timing to succeed."

    • Thrill
      3

      "The challenging gameplay and risk of failure create suspense and excitement."

    • Value
      4

      "Players perceive good value from the game's length, content, and replayability."

    • Violence
      -4

      "Gameplay focuses on platforming and crate breaking rather than combat or destruction."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players must avoid failure and death to progress, managing lives and checkpoints."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026