Gex

"It's a platformer, and it works."

Introduction:
The 2d platformer has all but been forgotten in this day and age, having been replaced by games such as Mario 64, Jak and Daxter, and Ratchet and Clank. If it does make the rare appearance, it's on a handheld, which lends itself nicely to the genre, given the technical limitations, though with the newer handhelds, the 2d platformer is beginning to fade here too. With all this talk about 2d platformers, Gex is, you guessed it, a 2d platformer. It features a Gecko full of one liners and many levels of jumping and fighting.

Graphics: 7/10
Very nice graphics considering it's a Saturn game. The backgrounds are very well made, as is Gex and his enemies. Effects like explosions and such are here too, so there is not a shortage of eye candy in the game. I haven't noticed any frame rate problems that hinder the gameplay, although once when doing a lot of moving and attacking the game did slowdown just a bit. All in all, the game has some nice graphics that are easy on the eyes, and set the mood of the game nicely.

Sound: 8/10
The game features music that is totally forgettable, while nothing bad, it doesn't have the longevity of the Mario Brothers theme. What IS memorable about the game however is the voice acted lines Gex shoots off during gameplay. Things like, "This is for 12 years of Full House" when knocking down a TV bomb, will remain in your head long after you turn the game off. The game says there are over 300 lines for Gex in the game, but even so they do tend to repeat themselves if you are having trouble beating the levels, thankfully however you can turn them off if they get too stale for your liking.

Gameplay: 8/10
The game plays like your standard platformer, you can jump, and you can attack. Gex can use either his tongue ot attack if he has acquired an powerup in the level, he can bounce on enemies heads ala Mario, or he can use his standard tail smack to dispatch the baddies. The game also has another standard platform convention, collecting. Sonic had rings, Mario had coins, and Gex has flies. Just like most any other game, collect 100 of them and you get an extra life, which will definitely help during a tough boss battle. Another neat feature of the game is the password feature, not because it's novel or anything like that, but it's just the first game I have played in a long time to actually make use of one, and luckily it doesn't have the o,0,i,l,1,5,s problems that have plagued some earlier games using passwords.

Overall: 8/10
Like the synopsis said, it's a platformer, and it works. The gameplay is nothing revolutionary, but it is fun, and will last you a decent amount of time. The wise cracks ex throws out make for a chuckle filled experience, and the graphics are nothing to be ashamed of. If you have a Saturn, and want something other than Sonic, give Gex a try, he may be just the thing you are looking for.

OOOWWWW Have Mercy!!!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/09/05