Gex: "Enter the Gecko" Game by Crave Reviewed by The Avardancer Size: 8 Megabits Save: password Released:1998 Works with: Any version of Gameboy Opening Snide Remarks: Repeat to yourself: "No Dana Gould is good." Say it many times; because Gex's "wit" (Or lack thereof) from the PSX/N64 title of the same name is gone. He has been reduced to the state of his FIRST PSX game adventure. (Anyone remember that? It was released around same time as "Bug!" for Saturn.) But instead of just going from "Point A" to "Point B"; Gex must complete "Mission Objectives" like in his 32-Bit and 64-Bit adventures. This game is not made by Crystal Dynamics; it just has the Gex liscense. The game has a cheesy plot that makes little sense. Oh, well. The humour in Gex has been reduced to just the names of the levels. They bear names like "Lava Daba Doo", or "Frankenstienfield". (Hmm. The level about nothing?) The game is a mascot title mainly and is driven ONLY by the main character. Hmm. There's so much that could be done wrong. I wonder....... Gameplay: The game has a main map where you start out. The game's levels are contained in televisions that you must earn "Remotes" to enter. You can only access two levels to begin with. YOu earn remotes by beating objectives. The game has fairly simple objectives. Beat such and such, collect such and such. But this hasn't been done before on a Gameboy Platform game; so it is fairly innovative. The levels are nice and big; and some objectives are tougher to complete than others. On some levels though, the objectives get frustrating. Those horridly complex, image based, assanine passwords don't make it any better. The game could have really used a battery save. A problem most people will have with the game is that you do a lot of running and enemies don't regenerate. I know that some people hate regenerating enemies; but the game gets tedious with out enemies and you fight the control to make that jump you need to make. The running around part can become tedious and repetitive as well. Mainly on objectives like "Smash the five blood coolers". Because you need to do so with out losing a life; or the coolers reset. Some novice players who will be attracted by Gex; will be dissuaded by the games frustration level. The game is fun sometimes and that helps it. The game has some problems that will be addressed in the other areas too. There are Bonus stages as well which are timed. The game is really explorable. Replay value is determined by finding all the remotes. The game also features fairly good puzzles tha require Gex to find power-ups. Graphics: Hmm. The graphics... how to discribe them. They are NES quality. Although clear and easy to see; they are fairly bland and simplistic. Eye candy enthusiasts will be turned away. The items that you collect change to match the theme of the level and some of the backgrounds are more detailed than most. The Bonus stages are some of the better looking ones. The levels that are supposed to take place inside a computer are fairly nice; but they are not what we have come to expect from gameboy Color. The game features NO Gameboy Color only enchancements to speak of and does not have any Super Gameboy enchancements. The level graphics fit the various themes; but they are fairly sparse. The main character and his enemies are unimpressive and only seem to use a few colors. I think some of the "cut-scenes" that are used in Legend of Zelda and Men In Black would have been excellent for this game. (For when you beat the objectives or the game.) The game is clear on Gameboy Pocket or normal Gameboy. Not much to look at here. Sound: Hmm. The sounds sometimes seem inappropriate and can be annoying. For example: The noise that you hear when Gex picks up an item is a particular annoyance of mine. The sound sounds low key set against the overbearing music in the game. Music: Some of the songs are listless and dull like the graphics. The music in the cartoon worlds is comatose and badly done. It just hurts. I like to play the game WITHOUT the music. The music in some levels is a bit better; but none of the music seems to add anything to the game. The music could have been more atmospheric. For example; in the "Horror" levels; I think a piano sounding low rip-off of the "exorcist" theme would have been nice. The "technology" levels should have had some form of generic beat box music. The "cartoon" levels? Hmm. It wouldn't have hurt to have made a parody of the Rugrats theme. Maybe if there is a sequel? Hmm. The music feels like it was thrown together hastily. Play Control: The button placement sucks. Pushing "B" to jump is just NOT natural. The select button makes Gex flip out his tongue. The A button makes him use his tail swipe. Press the B button before landing from a jump to tail bounce. You can also climb up walls in areas. The play control screams for help. A few suggestions if a sequel is made. They could have added so much more to the game by setting the play control like so. (Not the actual Play COntrol; just how it should have been done.) Directional pad = Moves Gex left and right, down to duck, down/forward to crawl on the ground. Push up to look above you. (That would help a lot.) Use teh directional pad to move you up AND down walls/background objects. Push UP in front of a door to enter it. Push against an object to move it. B button = Attack with your tail. Push Up/B to flip your tongue up above you. Push Down/B to slide. When on a wall or background area; press B to do a small tongue flick to beat any enemies. A button = Jump. Jump forward and press B to "Jump kick". Hit A before you land to tail bounce. Push Up/A to jump higher. Start = Pauses the game and lets you see your current password, stats, and/or quit. Select = Select does nothing. The game's main character SCREAMS potential; but is hindered by a lack of moves. Oh, well. Maybe if we see a Gameboy Color port of "Deep Throat Gecko"; the play control will be improved. Final Analysis: The game has a fairly original Game design; but is hindered by ill play control, stale graphics, and grating music and sound. The game feels like it should have had a few more months. The game's objectives could be a bit more original; but the game is fairly good. It's a game that you may want to try if you liked Gex's other games. It will take a while to beat; but there are passwords. Although they are horrible in length and complexity. Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: *** Sound: ** Music: *** Play Control: ** Total: 15 out of 25 Final Score: 60% Currently Known Codes: The Ultamite Gex password (Opens up EVERYTHING.) First row: All white arrows pointing down. Second row: Same as above. Third Row: Same as above. Fourth Row, three white arrows going down, one going up, One black arrow going right, One black arrow going left. (This is of course from left to right in that order.) Fifth row: One black arrow going left, two white arrows going down, one white arrow going right, one black arrow going right.