Unveiling the Secret Path in Crash Bandicoot 3: Hang Em High

The secret path in Hang Em High within Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped is accessible after you’ve collected a total of ten relics from completing time trials. Once you have the relics, a secret sixth warp room appears in the level selection hub. Within this secret warp room lies a portal leading to an alternate entrance of Hang Em High. This alternate entrance is essentially a more challenging route through the level, ultimately revealing the location of the coveted yellow gem. The path itself involves a series of precarious jumps across magic carpets, awnings, and strategically placed nitro crates. Successfully navigating this tricky segment unlocks the yellow gem, crucial for accessing other secret areas in the game.

Digging Deeper: The Hang Em High Secret Path Explained

The Hang Em High secret path isn’t just a casual detour; it’s a meticulously designed challenge that tests your platforming skills and rewards you with a vital collectible. Let’s break down the elements that make this secret path so significant:

• The Relic Requirement: Collecting ten relics acts as a gatekeeper. This ensures that players attempting the secret path have already demonstrated a certain level of proficiency with the game’s mechanics and are familiar with time trial challenges.

• The Secret Warp Room: The appearance of the secret warp room is a visual cue that you’ve met the requirement. This warp room contains a portal that specifically leads to the alternate entrance of Hang Em High.

• The Challenge: The alternate entrance is noticeably harder than the standard route. It requires precise timing, calculated jumps, and an awareness of the hazards, particularly the nitro crates.

• The Yellow Gem Reward: The yellow gem isn’t just a bragging right. It’s a key to unlocking other secret areas within the game, most notably the yellow gem path in Dino Might! which eventually allows you to access Eggipus Rex.

The secret path itself is a testament to Naughty Dog’s level design prowess. They crafted a challenging but fair experience that rewards persistence and skill. The use of magic carpets adds a unique element of movement, forcing players to adapt their jump timing, while the awnings introduce verticality and require careful maneuvering. The nitro crates are, as always, a constant threat, demanding awareness and precision.

Getting to the Secret Warp Room

To reiterate, you can only unlock the secret warp room to access the alternate entrance to Hang Em High, to get the Yellow Gem, if you have collected ten relics. So, if you have the relics, the secret warp room should appear in the level selection hub. If you can’t see it, then you don’t have ten relics.

Impact on Game Completion

The yellow gem obtained from the Hang Em High secret path is essential for completing the game to 105%. This high percentage is more than just a number; it signifies a complete mastery of the game.

Hang Em High Walkthrough

Below is an overview of Hang Em High, including how to find the secret exit:

Step 1: Play Hang Em High

The main objective of the level is to just play until the end, there aren’t any tricky crates. But make sure you get every crate along the way.

Step 2: Get to the end of the level

Make sure you collect all crates along the way.

Step 3: Access the secret warp room

You can only unlock the secret warp room to access the alternate entrance to Hang Em High if you have collected ten relics. So, if you have the relics, the secret warp room should appear in the level selection hub. If you can’t see it, then you don’t have ten relics.

Step 4: Navigate the Alternate Entrance

Now that you have the secret warp room, take the portal to the alternate entrance to the level, this includes a series of tricky jumps involving magic carpets, awnings, and nitro crates.

Step 5: Obtain the yellow gem

Once you have navigated the alternate entrance to the level, you will be able to obtain the yellow gem.

Step 6: Dino Might!

Next, go to Dino Might!, about one minute into the level before the dinosaur egg, you can activate the yellow gem path. This is why we needed the yellow gem, because without it you only see the outlines of the platform and cannot activate it.

Step 7: Eggipus Rex

The secret exit in Dino Might! is found on this yellow gem path, which leads to Eggipus Rex.

The Importance of Level Design

Hang Em High exemplifies excellent level design. It’s not just about placing platforms and enemies; it’s about creating a cohesive experience that challenges players in meaningful ways. The secret path is a prime example of this, rewarding exploration and skill with a valuable prize. The level challenges the player to use the specific mechanics to move through the level. The placement of the crates adds a new level of difficulty.

FAQs: Unraveling the Mysteries of Hang Em High

1. What exactly is a relic in Crash Bandicoot 3?

Relics are earned by completing time trials in each level. You must reach the end of the level as fast as possible. You can also collect time crates in the level that freeze the clock for a few seconds each.

2. How do I unlock the secret warp room?

The secret warp room is unlocked after you collect ten relics from completing time trials in other levels.

3. Where is the secret warp room located?

The secret warp room appears in the main level selection hub, after the ten relics have been collected.

4. What does the yellow gem do?

The yellow gem unlocks the yellow gem path in the Dino Might! level, allowing you to access the secret level Eggipus Rex.

5. Is the Hang Em High secret path difficult?

Yes, the secret path is considered to be quite challenging, requiring precise platforming skills and careful navigation around nitro crates.

6. What are magic carpets used for in the secret path?

Magic carpets are used for making jumps between platforms.

7. What are awnings used for in the secret path?

Awnings are used for verticality, they are used to climb up to platforms that are too high to jump to.

8. What are Nitro crates?

Nitro crates are obstacles that instantly explode when touched, requiring players to jump over or avoid them entirely.

9. Can I get to 105% completion without the yellow gem?

No, the yellow gem is necessary to unlock Eggipus Rex which is one level you must complete to achieve 105% completion.

10. What is the reward for collecting all the gems and relics in the game?

Collecting all gems and relics unlocks the game’s true ending, showcasing Crash and Coco defeating Doctor Neo Cortex.

11. What is the level Eggipus Rex?

Eggipus Rex is a secret level in Crash Bandicoot 3 that you can only access via the yellow gem path in Dino Might!.

12. How do I access Dino Might?

Dino Might! is located in the level selection hub.

13. What is the Secret Exit in Dino Might?

The Secret Exit in Dino Might can only be accessed via the yellow gem path, which leads to the level Eggipus Rex.

14. What is the story behind Crash Bandicoot 3?

Crash Bandicoot 3 sees Crash and Coco battling against Doctor Neo Cortex and Uka Uka as they attempt to collect crystals and prevent the villains from destroying the world.

15. Where can I learn more about the educational impact of gaming?

For more insights into the educational aspects of gaming, explore resources like the Games Learning Society, dedicated to understanding the intersection of games and learning: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Mastering the Hang Em High Challenge: A Final Word

The Hang Em High secret path in Crash Bandicoot 3 is more than just a hidden route; it’s a test of skill, a rewarding challenge, and a key to unlocking the game’s full potential. By understanding the requirements, mastering the mechanics, and embracing the difficulty, you can conquer this path and claim the yellow gem, paving the way for a 105% completion and the ultimate Crash Bandicoot experience.