top of page

GEX IS BACK! Gex Trilogy Review

One of my earliest gaming memories goes back to when I was six. I still remember the excitement of playing the original Spider-Man game for the very first time. That day became even more unforgettable when my dad’s friend, Tony, who was always incredibly generous, surprised me with something that would shape my love for games. His sons had decided to pass down their PlayStation 1 to me, complete with a massive cardboard box full of games. Among them was Gex 3. It was a game I probably shouldn’t have been playing at that age, but you can bet I did anyway.


I will always be grateful to Tony. Always. When I got home, I dove straight into that massive box filled with hundreds of games. Without knowing what I was picking, I grabbed a colourful case with a green gecko on the cover. As a kid, I had no idea what I was about to play. You never really understand the tongue-in-cheek jokes or the subtle adult references at that age, but Gex definitely had plenty of both. I just had to grow up to find out.

22 years later, I finally understand everything. The jokes, innuendos and well, everything! Gex was originally created by Crystal Dynamics for the 3DO and was released in 1995. The game was so popular that it spawned two sequels. Personally, I had never played the original, so seeing all three games brought together in one collection was something I had been really looking forward to. The trailers instantly caught my attention. Gex was always a game I was fond of as a kid, and I never really had the chance to complete it. Which gave me the perfect reason to revisit it. The time had finally come. It was my chance to step back into the shoes of a top-secret gecko, or better yet, the wisecracking, smack-talking lizard I remembered so well. But was it the way I hoped it would be? Did I enjoy it the same way I did as a kid? Only one way to find out!


SPOOKY!
SPOOKY!

Gex Trilogy Story & Gameplay


The Gex Trilogy is a nostalgia-packed channel surf through the zaniest corners of pop culture, starring everyone’s favourite wise-cracking, TV-obsessed gecko. Living the ultimate couch potato fantasy with a remote in one hand and snacks in the other, Gex leaps back onto our screens with all his trademark sass and a treasure trove of hidden references. This collection lets you experience the trilogy exactly as it was, from the classic Gex to Gex: Enter the Gecko, and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko. Across all three adventures, you’ll battle the sinister Rez, who is desperate to turn Gex into his network’s next big mascot. From haunted horror shows to chilly Christmas specials, the Media Dimension offers wild worlds inspired by every genre on the dial, and Gex is flipping through them all, tail-whip at the ready.


Where's Francis?!
Where's Francis?!

Each world is more unique than the last, all playing into the madness of being stuck inside the media. One level throws you into the pyramids known as Tut TV with creepy vibes and a monstrous face that is very much alive, which comes out of the wall to eat you! It was terrifying, especially as a kid. Then there is the one where you face an evil Santa Claus who attacks you with wrapped presents. See why I turned out so well growing up? This made me think that if I didn’t behave, Santa would come for me! It helped, though, ha-ha.


Santa!
Santa!

In all three Gex games, you will meet a lot of unforgettable characters, including everyone's favourite Agent Xtra. A secret government agent at The TV Terrorist Defence Unit (T.T.D.U) that teams up with Gex to battle Rez. Of course, you also come across multiple enemy types, depending on the world you’re in the enemy will be close to the theme. I have mentioned a couple of creepy ones I remember, but do you have any that still give you chills?

I'll bring you flowers!
I'll bring you flowers!

I'm going through changes!


We have experienced a lot of changes regarding software, hardware and how we control games to date. Re-releasing a game as old as Gex, those changes need to be something to look at. That’s the best part of what makes the Gex Trilogy one to revisit is the fact that they have added a ton of cool new features that improve how it looks and how it plays.

Fire in the hole!
Fire in the hole!

The first is a platformer, side-scroller compared to the other two games. So, things like 360-degree analogue controls, although they can still be used, aren’t as effective compared to Gex 2 and 3. You can, however, still use the same 8-way digital controls as an option. I reviewed this on the PS5 Pro, and I was still able to move in all 3 games using the D-Pad. This did make a difference because it allowed me to have full control of Gex in a way that was similar to games like Spyro or Crash.


DUCK SEASON!
DUCK SEASON!

Looking good Gex!


You can now enjoy the games with much clearer resolution and native 16:9 widescreen support. I liked this feature because it made the small box-style display a thing of the past. One thing I did notice in the first Gex was the option to add a border around the screen, which looked fantastic. I had to use it since the original Gex was noticeably more pixelated compared to the second and third games. Adding the 16:9 didn’t feel right on the first game. There is an option to switch the textures to a CRT-style filter, instantly transporting you back to the days of chunky pixels and old-school displays. This allows you to play the game exactly the way you remember it.

Uh, What's up Doc?
Uh, What's up Doc?

The quality-of-life features were a huge help. I’ll be honest, I found the first Gex a bit more tedious to get through, mainly because I wasn’t a big fan of the gameplay style. The game itself wasn’t at fault. It was crafted well, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. When I saw that you could pause and rewind, it made a big difference. It felt less like I was stuck in that frustrating monkey section from The Lion King game during the I Just Can’t Wait to Be King level and more like I was playing something built for a modern audience. But then we have the option where I knew I could save at any moment, no stressing about looking for a save spot.

Toon town!
Toon town!

Sounds good Gex!


The sound design has seen a few changes, but for the most part, it still hits all the right notes. The music is just as iconic as ever. I still catch myself humming the Gex 3 theme even now, it’s such a catchy tune. Enemy sounds and effects are exactly how I remember them, bringing back that classic charm.


There is one thing that did throw me off a little, and that’s the voice acting. It’s not bad at all, but I always had a stronger connection with Danny John-Jules, who brought Gex to life in a way that felt more memorable to me. Dana Gould’s version just didn’t have the same impact. The good news is that an update is on the way, which will let players switch between voice actors, and you can be sure I’ll be diving back into Gex 3 as soon as it’s available.


Performing for duty, sir!


The game runs smoothly from start to finish, making this a surprisingly clean and polished port. Even for a title as old as Gex, I didn’t experience any frame drops, stuttering, or noticeable bugs. Load times were also impressively quick, which helps keep the experience feeling fresh and responsive.

Say hello to my little friend
Say hello to my little friend

Press Restart!


So, would I go back and replay the trilogy again? Absolutely. The third game has always been my all-time favourite, and it still holds up today. There’s plenty of reason to return, whether it’s to collect any missed items or, like me, to relive the experience with one of the best voice actors in gaming. With the upcoming update adding the option to switch voices, I honestly can’t wait to jump back in.

Jump Jump!
Jump Jump!

That's a wrap!


Gex was one of the very first games I played on the original PlayStation. It was definitely an odd experience at the time, but now I can finally finish it and fully appreciate what it was going for. As a kid, I never understood all the hidden movie quotes and pop culture references, but now they’re one of my favourite parts. The whole game feels like one giant easter egg hunt.


With the update on the way, this could easily become one of my favourite ports. It taps right into that nostalgia and brings it back in the best way possible. So Limited Run, when do we get a Gex 4 with modern graphics? I would absolutely love to see it. But for now, it’s tail-kicking time.


A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to read this review – your support truly means the world to me and is always appreciated!

On behalf of all of us here, thank you once again! I’m Lewis, and this has been another XPN Gaming review. Oh, and before you leave, don’t forget to… KEEP GAMING!


XPN Rating: Four (Out of FIVE) Gold



(Thank you to Poppy at Overload PR and the team at Limited Run for providing the code for this review.)




Comentários


Support us by using our affiliate links:

wnfroxvw-banner-inin-banner-468x60.png
Eneba Logo
Wired Productions Logo
fanatical logo
  • Discord
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

©2023 by XPN Network.

bottom of page