Gex 64: Enter the Gecko

"Overrated and Underrated... Simultaneously"

In the video game world, creativity is always appreciated. I mean, would you want to play a Mario clone if the story was exactly the same? Of course not. Gex: Enter the Gecko combines the same type of ''hop and bop'' Mario madness, but it is dressed up differently, with a creative story and different gameplay approach. Of course, it also just isn't as good as a Mario game, or most other platformers, for that matter...

Story 7/10- For a clone of most other platformers, the story is fresh. Basically, Gex is obsessed with the TV, and when Rez (the bad guy!!) threatens to destroy it, Gex decides to do something about it. With a little encouragement... He must chase Rez in the Media Dimension, and save the television channels along the way. While the story is fresh, it also is sort of, well, pointless.

Graphics 8/10- While this may be the game's best feature, I have seen better graphics on the N64 before. However, Gex 64 doesn't have horrid graphics; they are, at best, described as average.

Gameplay 6/10- The most important part of the game is, sadly, one of the lowest parts of the game. Control wise, the gameplay isn't bad. You can Tail Whip enemies with the 'B' button, and you can eat flies with the 'R' button. YOu can also grab onto walls just by jumping on one with the 'A' button.

But, for the game itself, gameplay is very mediocre. You simply run around the Media Dimension collecting items and trying to unlock the levels, or ''channels''. Once a channel is unlocked, you can enter it and there are different objectives, all of which reward you with a Red Remote, should you successfully complete an objective. While this scores points for creativity, it is played out exactly like a Mario game's search for Power Stars or Shine Sprites.

However, one cool part of Gex 64 is the secret objectives. In addition to Red Remotes, every ''channel'' contains two Silver Remotes, which can be used to unlock bonus levels. The bonus levels give you additional Silver Remotes, which are used to open up more bonus areas of the Media Dimension. To get one of the levels' Silver Remotes, you must collect the items found in that level. (The items always relate to the theme of the level in some way.)

And Gex 64 also features boss levels. Once a certain amount of Red Remotes are collected, you will be able to fight a boss of a particular area. Defeat the boss to win a Gold Remote, which are used to open new areas of the Media Dimension [and play new levels].

Once you collect at least 33 Red Remotes and all the Gold Remotes, you can access a mysterious ''channel'' called 'Channel Z', where you will finally face Rez.

Sound 4/10- This was a tough call to make, but I felt that the sound just wasn't up to par of what the N64 can do. The sounds are incredibly annoying, and you will get angry and tired of them. It should be noted that Dana Carvey does the voice of Gex, and will say some comedic lines. Of course, these 20-25 lines are repeated very, very frequently, which only drags the sound down even more.

Music 5/10- Some tracks are horrid; other tracks are wonderful. The music of Gex 64 is very average, but, unlike the sound, doesn't get inaudible to the human ear. Of course, if you mute the sound, you won't hear the music...

Verdict-

Story 7/10
Graphics 8/10
Gameplay 6/10
Sound 4/10
Music 5/10
Multiplayer 0/10
Replay Value 4/10

Pros:
Good graphics.
Some originality.
A few well-designed and fun levels.

Cons:
Very mediocre gameplay.
Horrid sound.
The story just isn't that interesting.
Some of the music is boring.

Final Word- Gex: Enter the Gecko is a very average N64 game. And while the review may have focused on the bad points, the good points mentioned are pretty strong. Belive me, this game is not horrible, it is just that there are better quality N64 games out there. I recommend you rent this game.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 11/04/02, Updated 11/04/02