Vexx

"Don't even compare this game to Super Mario 64 or Banjo-Kazooie."

It's very safe to say that Super Mario 64 changed the way we viewed platform games. Much like the original Super Mario Bros. did for the NES all those years ago, Super Mario 64 helped usher in a whole new way of gaming; 3D. Over the years, several games have imitated Super Mario 64. Some have been successful (Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, Jak and Daxter, and even the Ratchet and Clank series), while others simply fall into the category of trying to follow the Super Mario 64 style, but don't succeed. Vexx is one game that falls into that category. While Vexx isn't the worst game that I have ever played, it isn't one of my favorite games and I would never play it again.

The gameplay is actually setup just like Super Mario 64. Your job is to collect Wraith Hearts, which are basically the same as collecting Stars in Super Mario 64. You also collect other items as well. If the game stayed with this formula, it would have been successful, but alas it didn't. First of all, the clues that they give you at the beginning of every Super Mario 64 stage did point you in the general direction of where the next Star was. In Vexx, you get a clue as well, but in the form of a riddle. I HATE riddles! You also get signs and arrows pointing you in the direction of each new Wraith Heart, and yet they still can't be found.

There are two other problems that suck the fun right out of this game. The first is the camera. I have never dealt with such an annoying camera ever. It's the type of camera that will force you to fight with it at all times. The other problem is the learning curve. Case in point, this game is very hard. Sadly, it's hard for the wrong reasons (poor control, bad camera), but it's hard nonetheless. I only made it threw half of the game before I had enough, and returned the game to EB.

The story itself is decent. Vexx is out to get revenge on Dark Yabu, an evil magician that killed his grandfather. After escaping from captivity, Vexx finds himself in the dark realm of Astara. The story is your basic platformer storyline, so don't expect any surprises.

The graphics look as good as Super Mario 64. That's not a very good thing since Super Mario 64 was released in 1996. Each environment looks completely outdated, boring, and very muddy. What's worse is that each environment has the same basic setup except for a change in the levels theme. The music also fails to impress me. It's just very low key and very boring. The enemies make the most stupid noises when you kill them (a goat sound?).

In conclusion, I felt like I got ripped off when I played this game. Not only was it very difficult, but I also found the game to be very boring. I felt very bored as I played the first few levels until I got to the stage where you are in a mansion and everything is bigger than you. I said to myself, finally a really cool level! Sadly, that was the only level like that. Every other level feels the same and is too hard for its own good. If you're looking for a good platform game that is like Super Mario 64, then try Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, Banjo-Kazooie, or Banjo Tooie. Just don't pick up Vexx thinking you got another Super Mario 64 on your hands because you don't.

Reviewer's Score: 3/10, Originally Posted: 08/15/05, Updated 09/19/05