The whole game is pretty straightforward in design, getting stuck on a puzzle is not really possible. All graphics are in 3D, and the sound is typical for cartoon games like this.
The game is a typical jump and run, with some other action passages, like air combat and a sequence where Crash is trapped inside a giant sphere rolling around in some sort of rollercoaster. The warp room splits levels into their respective elements, with the boss of each section being a battle against Crunch influenced by the Elemental mask of said section.
Crunch's power source is a set of magical masks known as the Elementals, each representing a different element, including Earth, Water, Fire, and Ice. For this purpose, he creates Crunch, a super-bandicoot who can destroy everything that crosses his way. Cortex wants revenge after being defeated by Crash (again).
The story is set sometime after Warped: Dr. Not an American user? Description Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex is the first Crash Bandicoot game for a system other than the original PlayStation.