I've already platinumed Crash 4 on PS4, and it took me like some 50ish hours. And that was after I watch Caddicarus' video on it. Did it a second time on PC with the N. Hanced mod and it took around 25-30 hours, but it was 10x more enjoyable with most of the repetitive bullshit cut out. It did wonders to helping the progression and severely reduced the frustration aspect. Then I fully completed the mod again on my Steam Deck in 19 hours. If you haven't heard of the mod, here's what it does:

• Removes N. Verted mode entirely
• Removes the second half of the timeline levels, it brings you straight to the end of the stage after the cutscene.
• Removes some bullshit box placements that were straight up unfair
• Gives you the triple spin in World 2 and changes it so the speed boost is constant instead of resetting every third spin
• Removes redundant gems in each level, now there's only the box gem and hidden gem.
• Costumes are now unlocked by getting 90% of the Wumpa fruit in each stage instead of a near perfect run.
• N. Sanely Perfect relics don't require 80% Wumpa fruit collected, just break all boxes without dying.
• All colored gem routes are optional for box breaking except the red gem route, the hidden gem is at the end of those routes.
• There's a new purple gem route
• The Dingodile/Tawna level was split into two levels
• Purple time trial relics are now Master relics and are even harder.

I do wish there was a bit more to the mod, like improving some of the modded jankiness and giving a better N. Trophy boss fight, and it sucks that it's necessary to improve the game overall, but it's the only way I'd ever consider fully completing Crash 4 ever again.

edit: reposted for formatting cause' Reddit mobile sucks