Gex 64: Enter the Gecko
Reviewed by Steve Shannon
Ever since I bought Yoshi Story without actually playing it first, I've made a vow
never to purchase an unknown game again just cause the box art looks cute. So, I
frequently take a trip over to Blockbuster to see what I could possibly rent for the
night's enjoyment. This is how I discovered Gex. Although I had played the Playstation
version earlier, this game promised to have many more moves and a few more levels
not in the previous version. I figured, "What the heck," since all of the copies of
Banjo-Kazooie were mysteriously all gone. And now, my thoughts....
Graphics 7 out of 10
The graphics for this game are really quite well done, although I liked them just as
much when I saw them on Playstation. Gex is well animated to move his mouth
realistically when he speaks, and depending on which level you are playing Gex
wears different outfits, such as a Stormtrooper suit on the space level and a karate
uniform on the samurai level. The camera control, sorry to say, is less than fresh.
You can never seem to have it in a position that suits the game. Either it leaves you
behind so you can't see where you're going, or it gets lodged in a wall, or it circles
around you so vigorously you get dizzy and fall off of that platform that took you an
hour to get to. If you do get it to how you want it, then you're able to see those cute
little well-drawn characters coming at you with swords and clubs and want-not.
Music and Sound 8 out of 10
The music is cool pretty much all through the game, although seemingly too repetitive
in some levels. But it fits the rest of the game very well, comical yet jazzy and hip
(crazzzzzzzzy man!). The sound effects are also very cool, with cool air-whipping
noises when Gex whips his tail, and a loud slurping noise when he uses his tongue.
But the real audio effect that really gives the game class is Gex's hilarious one-liners.
Some HBO comic guy does the voice over, and he's got some quick little quips that
will have you giggling to yourself.
Game Challenge 6 out of 10
Although some levels are harder than others, it's like Super Mario 64 all over again
in the sense that you have to collect enough remote controls (gold stars) by
completing certain tasks in each level in order to open doors to progress to the boss
guy, Mecharez. No real challenge, but gamers that can't beat games until they're
"100% complete" will enjoy trying to find the hidden remotes without getting
frustrated at the camera angle.
Game Play-Fun 7 out of 10
If you're looking for a four-player Goldeneye match here, you won't find it. This is
a one-player "advancer" as I like to call it. If you liked Mario 64, Blast Corps, or
Crash Bandicoot on Playstation, you'll like Gex, but don't be surprised when it's not
as fun as it used to be.
Frustration
All I can say is AAAAARRRRGH at the camera! It really makes it difficult to enjoy
the game when you're falling off platforms and getting hit by weak enemies cause
you can't see. Also, it takes a lot of work to get through levels just for a remote
control, and in some cases there are two remote controls at the end, but you can
only choose to grab one before you're tossed back to the beginning so that you can
go through the entire level again for the other one. Put it this way -- you just wanna
take a break from the game sometimes cause you're mad.
Replayability 4 out of 10
How many of you have actually played Mario 64 again since you nailed all 120 stars?
Me neither. If you get all of the remotes, and you find all of the bonus controllers, and
you beat Mecharez, the game is officially over.
Story 6 out of 10
Gex has been transported to this magical land where all of the levels he must face
are taken from TV shows. He gets to visit Gilligan's Island, Star Wars, Looney Toons,
and Kung Fu. All of this is to find Mecharez and defeat him. Trust me, it's not an
epic adventure.
Overall 7 out of 10
With cute graphics, great sound effects, a weak story, and a messed-up camera, Gex
has a mix of the good and the bad. If you really examine it, Gex has what it takes to be
a great average game. In my opinion, it's a renter, not a buyer. That way you could beat
it for only $4.00, unless you return it late, and then they start adding money to the bill
each night that it's late.