Remasters of all sizes and shapes are commonplace within the present online game panorama, and admittedly, some deserve the return to the limelight greater than others. Argonaut Video games, itself revived after a protracted hiatus, is bringing again one in all its best-loved titles that we predict greater than earns its proper for a comeback. Croc: Legend of the Gobbos is a cult favorite PS1 platformer from a time when making 3D video games was nonetheless new, and whereas in some methods it exhibits its age, it is troublesome to not be charmed by this remastered traditional.
Hopping into this sport in 2025 is a nostalgic overload for anybody with fond recollections of Croc; the very first thing you see is the gobbos inflating the Argonaut Video games brand, enjoying out on an enormous CRT tv. Particularly while you hear the title theme on the principle menu, all of it comes flooding again, and what’s so pretty about this remaster is simply how trustworthy to the unique expertise it’s; you may actually inform that is primarily the identical sport with the identical code, solely with some mod-cons and a contemporary coat of paint.
Loading is instantaneous as you hop into the sport correct, which retains the colorful, stylised look of the unique with clear enhancements, particularly to character fashions. A number of graphical choices let you apply numerous filters and visible tweaks, that are appreciated, although we caught to the remaster’s default look as a result of it is so crisp.
As for the way it performs, you may transfer Croc with both his traditional tank controls on the d-pad, or go for a a lot smoother, trendy expertise with full analog management on the left stick. You should use both of those always, and what’s fascinating is that, as a result of the sport was initially designed across the d-pad’s tank controls, there are some eventualities the place that is really the higher possibility. Clean analog management goes to really feel finest for many gamers, although, and it has been applied nicely, permitting you to essentially velocity by means of ranges in a method you may’t with the outdated scheme.
The sport may be very simplistic by at the moment’s requirements, with quick ranges, enemies posing little risk, and pretty tame obstacles. Straightforward although it could be, particularly utilizing the trendy controls, that is nonetheless an old-fashioned expertise, that means restricted lives and beginning a stage over in case you do hit Sport Over. Newcomers and veteran followers alike would possibly breeze by means of, however once more, the sport’s inherent attraction will imply you are smiling whereas it occurs.
There are six gobbos to search out in every stage, in addition to particular colored crystals that open a bonus door close to a stage’s exit. The extent construction is sort of distinctive; they’re all segmented by quite a few doorways, with some easy puzzles requiring you to search out one thing in a single room and return to a different. It is broadly a really linear sport, however there are some examples of doubling again on your self or discovering well-hidden secrets and techniques that present some novel concepts for the time.
Croc himself has a strong transfer set, with a beneficiant leap, a butt-slam to open containers, a 180-degree flip, and a tail spin assault, to not point out the flexibility to climb sure surfaces, swing on monkey bars, and swim underwater. The sport makes common use of most of those, giving the platforming a great tempo.
Additionally serving to to maintain issues contemporary is totally different stage themes for every island, which introduce new enemies and obstacles to deal with. A spotlight of Croc for a lot of is the characterful boss fights, that are all fairly simple to defeat however have enjoyable designs, like a boxing ladybird or a big fish with a trident.
Total, the sport itself has numerous cutesy persona, and appears and performs higher than ever with this remaster’s additions. Its simplicity would possibly depart some somewhat chilly, however we discovered it to be refreshing and enjoyable.
Elevating the bundle is the Crocipedia, a surprisingly massive museum part with tons to see and do. The soundtrack, work-in-progress music, outdated photographs, design documentation, character mannequin sheets and animation assessments, and many speaking head interviews with present and former employees is all right here. For followers of the unique, or simply followers of gaming historical past, there’s a lot to chew on right here, and it actually provides worth to the remaster.
Conclusion
Whereas the sport itself inevitably exhibits its age with its simplistic design, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos stays an cute and enjoyable platformer on this remaster. The revamped visuals pop whereas staying true to its old fashioned look, and the analog management supplies a a lot smoother strategy to play. The Crocipedia fleshes issues out, offering numerous element in regards to the making of this pioneering 3D title.
