PS4
Cortex Strikes Back uses crystals for progression and gems for deeper completion. Some entrances require leaving normal routes; visiting every level only from its main entrance is insufficient. Finish the story to unlock the dash, then organise secret exits, gems and relics in separate passes. This concerns the PS4 N. Sane Trilogy version, whose trophies differ from other platforms and do not require finishing the other two Crash games.
Base-game platinum roadmap for PS4. DLC trophy groups are separate.
- Required difficulty: No selectable difficulty; gold or better relics are required.
- Missable trophies: Levels are replayable; inspect gem and Death Route conditions.
- Online: No online trophies.
Unlock the dash before relic runs
Progress through crystals and bosses before systematic time-trial cleanup. The dash earned after Cortex changes the route; attempts before that upgrade can seem impossibly slow despite few mistakes. Use first visits to learn obstacles and differences between short jumps, long jumps and slides rather than impose final times immediately.
- Defeat Cortex before gold-relic cleanup.
Find secret exits
Air Crash, Bear Down and other secret-exit levels reward inspecting seemingly secondary platforms and locations. An exit can transport Crash to a different entrance; record where it leads and which collection becomes reachable. An apparently completed level can contain another gem or crates accessible only from the new direction.
- Record each secret exit and its destination entrance.
Different gem conditions
Do not apply one rule to every coloured gem. Some need specific routes or actions; inspect the relevant condition before breaking crates or crossing its platform. For Death Routes preserve the deathless approach to their platform. When crate collection is incomplete, check secret entrances and coloured routes first.
- Read the gem’s condition before starting its level.
Relics, rhythm and time crates
Choose a line that uses the dash without losing platform control. Time crates can justify small deviations, but judge a difficult jump against the gold threshold rather than a video’s perfect time. Keep consistent visual references between attempts; changing movement after every death obscures which segment needs practice.
- Use a repeatable route meeting the gold threshold.
Coco, lives and the PS4 list
Choose encounters that allow Coco’s required move without unnecessary risk, then inspect remaining lives and situational trophies through level selection. Do not automatically import Xbox achievements or retroactive challenge sets; the checklist must match the PlayStation remaster’s trophy names and conditions.
- Compare cleanup against the correct PS4 list.
Trophies to watch
Wumpa-Burner Engaged!
Earn 27 Relics (gold or better).
Wait for the dash upgrade and target gold or better.
Laser Powered Vengence
Earn 42 Gems.
Inspect secret entrances and second gems when the total remains incomplete.
Jumping the Jetboard
Unlocked the Secret Exit in Air Crash.
Explore Air Crash’s secret exit rather than following only the main finish.
Frequently asked questions
Should I immediately attempt time trials?
Wait for the dash unlocked after Cortex; many thresholds assume that mobility.
Do all coloured gems follow one rule?
No. Check the level’s condition rather than always assuming every-crate collection.
Must I complete the whole trilogy?
No. Each game has its own trophy list and platinum.
Sources
Trophy lists
Buying the game
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