The process of creating a video game is not as easy as playing it, so from time to time, content gets scraped off on the cutting room. Not all content gets a second lease on life, but Vicarious Visions apparently think this might be a great idea for the “N. Sane Trilogy” remasters.
Recently announced at San Diego Comic-Con, Activision, the game’s publisher, has decided that now is time for the “Stormy Ascent” level made for the original “Crash Bandicoot” to be released. Today, players can log onto the PlayStation Store and download the DLC for absolutely no charge, at least for the next 30 days.
After that, the DLC will be sold for $2.99 across North America.
The legend of ‘Stormy Ascent.'
The original 1996 “Crash Bandicoot” had a level in it so difficult, developer Naughty Dog decided to remove it from the retail release before the game shipped. As notorious fans would, players eventually discovered the lost stage, which could be reached via a handful of GameShark codes. Since then, stories surrounding the deleted level have reached almost mythical proportions. Now, however, Vicarious gave the previously unreleased level a breath of new life for players to experience the notorious stage deemed too difficult.
Confirming the strain “Stormy Ascent” would have caused, Taylor Kurosaki, the original stage’s level designer, said in an interview that the level was cut due to time constraints.
"It was playable, but just too damn complicated, and we ran out of time to make it easier, Kurosaki reflected. “It remained on the disc as it was less risky just leaving it rather than trying to remove it."
The challenge that awaits ‘N. Sane Trilogy’ players
The now remastered stage presents itself as a new obstacle to hurdle, adding to the already difficult time players have with the “Crash Bandicoot” remasters.
Previously, Vicarious revealed through a blog post about the trilogy’s new physics, confirming the theories as to why the remasters have become tougher.
The team explained that the remasters has an entirely new way of handling how Crash moves, falls and jumps. “Our game engine features a different collision system than the original game, and combined with the addition of physics, certain jumps require more precision than the originals,” Kevin Kelly wrote. The developer eventually recommended that new players should start playing the second or third game in “N. Sane Trilogy” and then come back to the first to get a grasp of the first game.
