So that frustration I mentioned earlier on this page during the Fumbling in the Dark time trials, I think was mostly due to it being hot. LOL. Came back to it later, had the AC on, was relaxed. Still took some time, but I wasn't getting frustrated at my failed attempts like I was earlier. Ended up getting a platinum relic for it the first time I finished. But yeah, looks like air conditioning was the factor as to why I didn't get frustrated with The High Road at all despite spending more time on it, as opposed to this. (But yeah, it being a gimmick level and that missing mask did not help).
Working my way backwards through levels now.
Now I just need the relics for:
Sunset Vista
Boulder Dash
Whole Hog
Temple Ruins
Up The Creek
Native Fortress
Rolling Stones
and the Platinum is mine.
Oh, and a few gems, but those shouldn't be an issue as I've already gotten all the colored ones.
By the time I'm done with Crash 1, I think it would've provided me easily with 30+ hours of gameplay. I'll be playing something else after, and then come back to Crash 2 after I finish that. Treating each of these games with the attention and care they deserve.