Game:

Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex (2001)

Duration: 1:18:51

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Originally recorded: November 27, 2022 (Happy Birthday, Dad!)
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Well, I said that this was going to be my final livestream for the Wrath of Cortex... regardless of how it turned out. I guess I just wasn't expecting it to be quite *this* successful. I signed off before midnight... and I even started a little late this time. Still, I guess after how long it took me to make progress through the rest of the game -- coupled with the testimonies of how impossible getting the crates gem from the 30th level was -- I was expecting the remainder of the game to put up more of a fight.

I essentially decided to focus entirely on the sixth/secret world for this stream, considering I already had four of the levels unlocked and I just needed two more Time Trial Relics to open up the final stage. Ironically, I'd originally considered using Knight Time to get one of the necessary relics, but both of the races ended up being way easier, in spite of the fact that apparently, they were special in the sense that you also needed to win them in order for the Time Trials to count. All things considered, while I did have the most trouble with the snowboard level as expected, I feel like the bonus Atlasphere level was actually the one that stressed me out the most... even though I essentially managed to perfect it on my first try.

With the last ten gems collected, I was ready for a rematch with Crunch... which also went down surprisingly smoother than it did the first time. I was honestly surprised that I managed to remember the fight well enough to beat it on my first try, considering it's been a whole week since the last time I played it -- not to mention the difficulties I had the first time. Either way, the ending was certainly an improvement on that of the base game. Of course, it would've been pretty difficult for it not to be better than nothing. I think it's funny that every game up to this point seems to treat the "true" ending that unlocks after collecting all of the gems as the canonical one... with the clear exception of the very first game, which was a direct continuation of the standard ending. I was a little disappointed that the credits weren't different after seeing the true ending though.

I've only got one game left before I shut down for the rest of the year. While I was really hoping to finish up my line-up before Thanksgiving, I guess my schedule just ballooned out of control again. Fortunately, the last game of the year looks like it's going to be relatively short -- it should only take me two sessions to knock out. Honestly, I think the reason why this year felt so strenuous is due to all the emphasis I put on my side projects, not to mention the significant change in my employment status. I'd like to think that 2023 will be a bit more lowkey by comparison, but it's already shaping up to be a turbulent year in terms of livestreams...

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