A few weeks ago, a post appeared in the Facebook group PlayStation 5 Hrvatska that did not go unnoticed among trophy hunters. Croatian player Tin Bobeta, better known by his PSN nickname crowizard, boasted about earning one of the toughest trophies that the PlayStation ecosystem has to offer – the one from the infamous game Crypt of the NecroDancer.
For those unfamiliar with it, this title has been known for years as one of the hardest games to earn a platinum trophy. The platinum that most players will never even attempt to earn, let alone succeed. In short, a game reserved for the most persistent, skilled, and, as some might say, somewhat masochistically inclined trophy hunters.
But when you look at Bobeta's profile, it becomes clear that Crypt of the NecroDancer is no coincidence. Over the years, he has successfully platinumed some of the most demanding challenges in the gaming world, including the Ninja Gaiden series, Wolfenstein series, Super Meat Boy, Trackmania Turbo, Max Payne 3, and Ikaruga. All games that have given many players migraines, tested patience, and required nearly perfect execution.
Inspired by his latest achievement, we decided to talk to him about trophy hunting, the toughest gaming challenges he has overcome, and his gaming journey in general. Below is an interview with Tin Bobeta, or crowizard – a man for whom clearly no trophy is too great a challenge.
1. To start, take us back a bit. What drew you to gaming? What were your first games?
First of all, I would like to thank you for the interview. My beginnings go back to my childhood, the first console I played on was the good old Nintendo. It was the classic Super Mario that made me fall in love with platformers, but also some other games like Circus Charlie and Lunar Pool. I was drawn to the jumping in games and avoiding obstacles, but back then one game was played for months because there were no guides to check how to get past a part where you got stuck.
2. When you look at today's gaming industry, what do you miss the most from the "old days," and what do you think is better than ever today?
As much as technology has advanced in many aspects of the gaming industry in the last 15 to 20 years, I think the main problem today is the lack of creativity and the fact that we have really various types of games where it is very difficult to come up with something completely new and unique that would stand out in that sea of repetitive grayness. Another problem is that games are released unfinished on purpose so that later a few "story DLCs" can be squeezed in to earn even more. Twenty years ago, the concept of DLC didn’t exist because games were released "full in a package," there were no microtransactions and pay2win things. I understand that the volume of games and technical demands are not even close to what they used to be, but the problem mainly revolves around intentional incompleteness. On the other hand, today, of course, performance is significantly better where practically for huge games you don’t even have loading screens, but instant loading. Graphically, games have approached complete realism and there are many more interactive elements in open-world games that we didn’t have to that extent before. Although sometimes it’s not too bad if it’s repetitive.
3. Was there a title that changed the way you view games as a medium?
Of course, that would be Red Dead Redemption 2. When I played RDR 2, I couldn't believe how many incredible details that game offers, not to mention the story, soundtrack, and graphics. For me, it was more of a cinematic experience than a gaming one, given how immersive the game is and how easy it is to get lost in it. I felt like I knew those people in real life. I would also add Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which has one of the best-told stories with cinematic scenes, as well as The Last Of Us and the Uncharted series, which changed my perspective on games long before.
4. Over the years, you've played a solid number of games. Has the difficulty of trophies ever been a decisive factor in choosing a game?
The difficulty of trophies has never been a decisive factor in my choice of games on my profile; the only thing is that I play all games that have platinum, and there are quite a few good games that only have a completion rate of 100% without platinum. I have played and completed a large number of games whose platinums are rated by many as 9 and 10/10 in difficulty, and I played some because they are really quality games like Vanquish, Evil Within 1 and 2, and similar, while I played others purely for the brutal challenge they offer, such as Ikaruga, Street Fighter IV, and some I played due to a combination of both factors, like Crypt of the Necrodancer, which became the most fun game I've played, and also Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, which became very dear to me.
5. Is there a genre you always return to regardless of trends and popularity?
There is, of course, and that would be platformers. Whenever I take a longer break from that genre, I get the urge to play one. Currently, I'm playing the new James Bond, and after that, I'll play Pragmata, and then I could play Rayman Remastered to bring me back to my childhood days. Also, Cuphead and Sackboy are in my library.
6. Which game surprised you the most in the last few years and why?
The biggest surprise (not counting Clair Obscur since I expected a masterpiece based on player comments) was Ghostrunner. I played both parts. I didn't expect much from those games, but I got a lot from the soundtrack, locations, very fluid gameplay, optimal difficulty, and extremely good boss fights. A game I would recommend to anyone who loves a mix of fast-paced shooters and platforming. The first one is more linear, while the second has some semi-open world segments.
7. And which game never got the attention it deserved?
One series I would mention that is highly regarded by many, and I haven't played it yet, I don't even know why, is Metal Gear Solid. Somehow, something else always came up to play. I will have to play it in the near future because I've only heard praise about it. I only played Metal Gear Rising on PS3, which is a spin-off of the series and is a hack-and-slash game, unlike MGS. I saw in the Store that they have master collections for all parts, so I will get them.
8. If you had to compile a personal gaming Top 5 games that have marked you as a player, which games would they be?
If I were to count all the PlayStations I've played on, I think Crash Bash would take the number 1 spot. It's a game I've completed solo several times to 200% (yes, it can be completed to a maximum of 200%) and also 200% in co-op with friends. Probably the game I've spent the most hours on in my childhood and many beautiful memories related to it, and I would give anything for them to release a remaster of that game with multiplayer enabled.
In second place, I would put GTA IV. When I first played it on PS3, I was shocked at how realistic it was compared to previous games, from car physics to the ragdoll mechanics. I've completed it to 100% many times and I carry the best multiplayer memories from that game and friendships that I maintain even 17 years later to this day. As a kid, I didn't understand the story, but later when I played it again, I realized how dark, tragic, and above all realistic the story is, which gives a view of life in America that is not at all the fairy tale that Roman describes. I doubt Rockstar will ever release a GTA that comes close to this in that regard. It was also my first platinum in 2009.
Third place would go to The Last of Us. One of the most memorable masterpieces I've played on the PS3 generation. A brilliant, emotional game with a very striking story and an equally high-quality Left Behind DLC, where I was sad when I finished the game and wanted to erase the memory and start over. I also enjoyed the multiplayer.
Fourth place would go to Red Dead Redemption 2, probably the best game I've ever played in my life because it's a package of perfect graphics, soundtrack, top-notch story, immersion, and insane details that they introduced into the game. I played it quite late, but this is a game where I first felt that all the characters were real and that I was practically watching a long movie, not playing a game.
In fifth place, I would put Clair Obscur, which I played last year. Along with RDR 2, the best game in terms of story because it's unique and stands out from other classic stories. Although I don't prefer turn-based combat or games that depend on character builds, this simply won me over in a different way.
9. How have trophies changed your relationship with games? Do you play differently today than you did five or ten years ago?
I have to admit that they have had an impact because I complete every game I start to 100% since 2009, which is extremely demanding because sometimes I have to go back to DLC years later that can be much harder than the base game. Before I decide on a game, I check out gameplay videos, so I've gained the experience to assess in about ten minutes whether it's worth my time or not. It rarely happens that I end up forcing myself to finish a game. I play differently today than I did five or ten years ago primarily due to limited free time; I even tried my hand at fastest achiever leaderboards, and for a good while, I was in the top 50 fastest achiever leaderboard in Super Meat Boy platinum, while today I don't care about that at all and I try to enjoy the game for as long as possible.
10. Is there a game you love but have never tried to platinum because you think it would ruin your experience of that game?
Until now, I haven't had a situation where my gaming experience was ruined, although the platinum in Red Dead Redemption 2 somehow kills the immersion of the game with that trophy related to gold medals because you have to rush through missions, which is not a natural way to play since the game is deliberately slow and methodical. I might mention Mortal Kombat on PS3, which I didn't play because of that grindy trophy where you have to play x hours with all characters and perform fatalities; it's not difficult at all, just unnecessarily long and boring, but I'm not a huge fan of the series to spend hours on that.
11. Many players give up when they encounter an impossible boss fight or an overly demanding trophy. Where does that persistence come from that leads you to some of the rarest platinum trophies?
That persistence comes from character traits. Some people have more will, patience, and nerves, while others have less, but I am generally a person who, if I really love something, pushes the boundaries of extremes where mental stability and mental strength are crucial factors in such challenges. I have a higher tolerance than the vast majority of people for constantly repeating something to get better at it, and that is the key to everything, not just in gaming, but in life in general. It's true that for some things I am exceptionally talented, which helps, but many times I found myself in situations where I couldn't progress at all, but my will would prevail. My message is to never give up on anything in life that you love, even if it's something virtual. Of course, sometimes if something is doing us more harm than good, we need to know when to stop and try again later.
12. Which platinum was the biggest test of skill for you, and which was the biggest test of nerves?
Since I still have some things to finish for the Crypt of the NecroDancer platinum, and if we set that aside, I would say that Ikaruga was the biggest test of skill because it took me about 50 hours of practice to achieve an S++ rank on the hardest chapter, and it is extremely difficult, while for the other chapters, it took about 20 hours each. Very good reflexes are needed for that game and a lot of repetition. The biggest test of nerves would be Street Fighter IV on PS3, primarily because of the trials. Keep in mind I practiced for about 2 weeks on the controller separately for the hardest combos, and those combos last only about 5 or 6 seconds each. The main problem is that the game has 1-frame links where you have to connect some hits with a timing of 1 frame, or 1/30 of a second, which is incredibly insane, and you have to perform some strange motions on the controller that would break your fingers. A lot of people played with fight sticks and turbo controllers, but even fight sticks require practice. That's where nerves were really tested because you have no gameplay and you are hitting combos for hours and hours and several dozen hours to execute something that lasts a few seconds. Ken's 4th and 5th, C. Viper's 3rd and 5th, Gen's 5th, Balrog's 4th and 5th HARD trials are some that I still remember today for how insane they were.
If I had to highlight a separate trophy, then undoubtedly the trophy that required the most nerves and skill, far miles away from all others, is the one I recently won in Crypt of the NecroDancer, "Lowest of the Low," for which I needed almost 300 hours of intensive practice. It is labeled as one of the worst trophies in gaming across all platforms, not just PS. It is the only trophy that ever brought me to the brink of a mental breakdown because I played it in one go without any significant breaks from the game, and it is so brutal that all the others I have won don't even come close.
13. Have you ever found yourself not wanting to turn on a game again after investing "too much" time in it for trophies?
No, because I usually play games that really draw me in. Even after getting the platinum, I would still play games like Super Meat Boy, Street Fighter IV but in multiplayer, so I haven't had the experience of hating a game because of a trophy. I still have Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 installed even after getting the platinum because I really enjoyed the game, and I'm sure I'll play NecroDancer even after the platinum because it's simply a brilliant game, despite the outrageous trophy difficulty driving people crazy.
14. Is there a platinum you consider a greater achievement than all the others, not because of its difficulty, but because of the personal story behind it?
I would highlight two platinums that first come to mind, which are GTA IV and CoD Black Ops Cold War. GTA for the reason that I have an anecdote about playing it back in 2009 when there wasn't much information about trophies. At that time, there was a myth that to unlock the "Auf Wiederehen Petrovic" trophy, you had to complete all online modes in one session without turning off the console, since Rockstar servers didn't track wins well if you played across multiple sessions. I know there were rumors that it depended on the console's serial number or something similar; various myths circulated back then that seem funny today because not much was known about multiplayer trophies. I arranged with a guy from Germany that we would start in the morning and play everything in one go. After a few hours of boosting, my parents no longer allowed me to play, and I couldn't quit because I wasn't even at 50% of that run. So I called a friend over who had nothing to do with gaming, and I told him what to do, so after 11 hours of boosting, the last online mode came up, and the trophy popped. I had a gaming ban for a while after that, so I couldn't immediately help that guy, but in the end, we all got the trophy.
I would also highlight Black Ops Cold War from two years ago because it was very challenging to gather 32 people to boost the trophy related to 10 Squad Wipe medals. After one girl dropped out because people wouldn't show up for the arrangements, I took the lead in boosting in the Discord group. At that time, I was working at the university, so it was extremely challenging to coordinate my free time with all the possible time zones of other people because, mind you, it's not just 5 or 6 people. You need a minimum of 32 people to start that mode, and then all 32 need to function and communicate well, and that mode is dead and hardly anyone plays it. Those people were from South America, through Europe, the Middle and Far East, all the way to Australia. It was quite stressful to align all the time zones since there would always be some random person who would manage to join, and we would have to improvise, but there was also a lot of laughter. I remember I wrote down 8 squads of 4 members each and precisely matched which squad attacks which and in which part of the map to minimize interference. There were all sorts of situations, from Chinese players who didn't understand English and killed everything in front of them to guys who would mess up the squad number I assigned them, but in the end, it worked out. I had quite a few funny situations on PS3 games related to multiplayer trophies, but I would highlight these two as the most memorable.
15. What does your process look like when you decide to go for an extremely difficult platinum trophy? Are you the type who studies every detail or do you prefer to learn through trial and error?
When I go for an extremely difficult platinum, I usually have some sense of what I'm getting into, but of course, I can't feel how extreme it is until I start playing. Trophy guides and comments from others don't interest me because everyone is individual; I only look at guides if there are collectibles or some huge missable trophies. For extremely difficult platinums, I might watch a video if I get stuck for a long time in one place and combine it with my own method because I always try to find my own methods and study AI to the core. For Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, for example, I asked Tuhya, who has a lot of experience in that game, some questions related to the bosses, but I still combined it with my methods. What I love most is that I found my own method for fighting Elizebeth in that game, who is by far the worst boss in the game and one of the worst in general in that type of game, and that helped me get through the missions mode that contains her. Also, for NecroDancer, people usually look at guides from others, while I sought all my methods for almost all bosses possible with all characters. That’s where the charm of extreme games lies, not having everything served to you.
16. What was the moment during your gaming career when you said to yourself: "OK, what I just did is not normal"?
Just three weeks ago in Crypt, haha. Until then, there were moments first with Meat Boy, then with Street Fighter IV and Splasher, and then with Ikaruga, but for this, I can say with certainty that it really wasn't normal because I don't know if there is a trophy of this caliber in any game that has at least one platinum achiever in the world. We're not talking about something that no one has because the difficulty of it can't even be known. But if we talk about all possible games that exist and have at least one platinum achiever, then this is the worst trophy needed for some platinum. The success itself is even greater because my free time is strictly limited due to various sports I play, rehearsals I hold, and work, and I often played the game tired after work and a whole day; otherwise, it’s jokingly said that Crypt is the "unemployment platinum." I even removed the last DLC in that game and played the harder version of the game, which required an additional hundred hours of practice for the trophy. The only exception that would be even worse is Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus on PS Vita because just recently the game got its first legit platinum achiever after 13 years, but to get through that game, you need to perform a glitch in the mission because it’s unpassable without that glitch, so strictly speaking about glitchless trophies, Crypt is number one.
17. If you had to recommend only one game that best shows why you love gaming as a hobby, what would it be?
Well, probably Red Dead Redemption 2. That’s a game I would recommend even to someone who has nothing to do with gaming because I think it would attract such people with its realism. The amount of detail is fascinating, and the world itself is huge, full of animal and plant life along with everything else I mentioned before. That’s the first thing that comes to mind for a recommendation.
18. If you could erase all your gaming memories and play a game for the first time again, which one would you choose?
Uff, very difficult question because there are titles like The Last of Us, Uncharted, Red Dead Redemption, Bioshock, Clair Obscur. Probably The Last of Us 1 because it left a deep mark when I played it long ago, but the other mentioned ones are all on the same level, so choosing any of them wouldn't be a mistake.
19. Have you ever started playing a game just because the platinum trophy was a personal challenge? A game you might never have played if the platinum wasn't a challenge?
Yes, I probably wouldn't have played Ikaruga if the platinum wasn't extreme, nor Street Fighter IV, although I enjoyed Ikaruga while I enjoyed online in SF more than single player. Also, if I had known that DmC 4 was so repetitive, I wouldn't have played it either, while DmC 5 was quite good, but those platinums are much easier than SF and Ikaruga.
20. Finally, what is your wish list for this year and next? Which games are you looking forward to?
The main candidate for this year is definitely GTA VI. Although I don't support what Rockstar is doing with GTA V Online, I will get it primarily for single player, and the online, although full of potential and things to do, didn't give me anywhere near the feeling of satisfaction, nor did I play it as long as I did online in GTA IV, which had much fewer things, but in my opinion somehow better because there were no shark cards and other nonsense. The only bright spot of Online in the fifth one were the heists. I will also play online in the sixth one, but I doubt it will differ much from Online in the fifth one, so I don't expect many hours spent. The other day they announced a new Spyro, so I'm looking forward to that as I hope it will be similar to the original trilogy; that series marked my childhood. I'm also following Intergalactic from Naughty Dog because I'm curious about what kind of game it will be since ND has made excellent story-driven games.
Finally, I sincerely thank the portal Virus.hr for the interview and wish everyone all the best and a lot of enjoyment in the current and upcoming titles.
We thank Tin for taking the time for this conversation and wish him good luck and patience in the further pursuit of impossible difficult platinums.
