Play the Modern Playstyle First

The Retro Playstyle is great for old school Crash fans because it brings back the lives system, however Crash 4 is a very difficult game, as it assumes you’re using the Modern Playstyle and thus can afford to die a lot. Only use the Retro Playstyle if you’re very familiar and confident with the game, or enjoy the punishment of being sent back to the very start of the level.

Turn on Enhanced Shadows

Crash 4 allows you to enable an optional drop shadow with a yellow outline underneath your character. These are great at helping you judge Crash's position and speed in relation to where you want to land, and are similar to the drop shadows in the original PS1 games. With these on, you can take the guesswork out of tricky jumps, making it more about your precision and timing.

However if you're old school (and up for the challenge), you can turn these off in the Gameplay section of the Options Menu.

 

Hold the Jump Button for Higher Bounces

If you hold down the Jump Button, Crash will bounce off boxes and enemies with much more airtime. This is an almost essential thing to do, especially for newcomers, as it greatly helps with crossing gaps and landing on specific boxes.

Use the Double Jump!

Crash has retained the Double Jump from his last adventure, and it’s a very useful move. Using it will extend the amount of time you’re in the air, and when used at the top of your jump it can help Crash jump over very tall obstacles. It can also be used when falling, which is great when you juuuust miss a platform.

 

Use Slide Jumps for Extra Height

Crash’s Slide is a useful move because it can help Crash jump higher. To Slide, move in any direction and then press Circle (PS4) / B (XBO) / A (Switch). You can also do a Double Jump on top of that to get Crash as high as he can get on his own.

It’s always a good idea to try and Slide before a jump for that extra time in the air, unless you're sliding on top of a TNT Box: that'll make it blow up!

Use Slide Spins For Extra Speed

In addition to Slide Jumps, Crash can also do Slide Spins by Sliding and pressing Square (PS4) / X (XBO) / Y (Switch). Slide Spins will continue Crash's Slide speed for longer and still hit enemies. In addition to being great during chase sequences, this strategy is practically required for the Platinum Relics in the Time Trials.

 

Look Around with the Right Stick

Crash 4 allows you to shift the camera a bit using the right analog stick. There are many boxes hidden off-screen that can be spotted with the right stick, so if you’re going for the Box Gem, it’s a good idea to check above stacks of boxes with this before you go ahead and smash them all.

Use the Level Stats Screen to Quickly Select a Level

The Dimensional Map is awesome, but it can take a while to get from one side to the other, or just to find a station to get to the Flashback Levels. A much faster way to do this is to use the Level Stats screen. Here you can navigate the levels with a menu interface that also tells you more about your progress in a level at first glance. You can even access this while in the middle of another level!

You can find the Level Stats menu in the Pause Menu, or by pressing your console's equivalent to the Select Button.

 

Observe Enemies to Learn How To Defeat Them

There are many different kinds of enemies in Crash 4, but not all of them can just be run up to and Spun away. Keep an eye on how these enemies attack. If they slash swords in front of them them, you can't attack them head-on, and should instead bounce on their heads or attack them from behind. Conversely, if they have a hat with flamethrowers on them, bouncing on them will be lethal!

You Get Assistance When Dying a Lot

Don’t fret if you die frequently in Crash 4, because the game will offer assistance if you do so. Dying 5 times at a single Checkpoint will give you an Aku Aku mask, dying 10 times will give you a Golden Aku Aku, and dying 15 times will change a box up ahead into a Checkpoint Box. Note however that this assumes you're dying in the same general section of the level; if you make it past and die much later on, you may not get an Aku Aku on your return.

 

Use the D-Pad in Side Scrolling Sections

Crash 4 often puts you in side scrolling sections reminiscent of early 90s platformers. For these sections, you may want to consider switching over to the D-Pad, as it’s easier to control Crash’s movements this way compared to using the left analog stick.

 

Aim Where You Spin Enemies

Enemies that have been Spun away can actually be aimed, taking out successive enemies and even boxes all in a row. If you have an easy enemy followed by a harder one, try Spinning the easier one so that it takes out the more difficult one!