Gex Trilogy (PS5) Evaluation: Throwback Platformers Discover New Life

Whereas some are extra cynical about it, I’ve been loving the ocean of remasters, ports, and remakes of basic video games that are actually playable on present methods. The newest retro assortment is Restricted Run Video games’ Gex Trilogy, which brings Dana Gould’s media-obsessed gecko to fashionable methods. With fairly just a few quality-of-life upgrades and loads of particular options, that is greater than a easy port and provides Crystal Dynamics’ forgotten mascot the respect he deserves.

Whereas it’s potential to get the total nostalgia impact and play the unique video games with purely digital controls and in a 4:3 facet ratio, there are additionally a number of additions. Essentially the most thrilling is the power to play the Gex 2 and three, that are each 3D platformers, in native widescreen. Quite than simply stretching the display screen to realize this impact, you possibly can see extra of the world without delay within the widescreen model. This makes it the perfect approach to play these platformers as they appear sharp and offer you a wider view than beforehand out there. There are additionally a number of different quality-of-life upgrades, corresponding to the power to rewind gameplay, make saves at any level, and play with a CRT tv filter.

The unique Gex is what I’m most nostalgic for, and I had a good time going by the sport once more. The 2D platformer remains to be fairly enjoyable, as you’ve actually obtained to discover the degrees so as to discover TV remotes to unlock different levels, as merely going from left to proper received’t preserve the sport going. The sport was a visible feat again in 1995, and whereas the sequels are clearly impressed by Tremendous Mario 64 being a phenomenon, it’s laborious to not surprise what the video games would’ve been like if it had doubled down on 2D and developed that manner.

The 3D sequels, Gex: Enter the Gecko and Gex 3: Deep Cowl Gecko, retain the nice humorousness and have former The Simpsons author Rob Cohen doubling down on gags. The popular culture references and parodies assist the sport really feel like an actual time capsule, though the gameplay hasn’t aged extremely effectively. Gex 2 and three weren’t Tremendous Mario 64 upon launch, they usually actually aren’t as enjoyable to return to 25 years later. Nevertheless, there’s a appeal to platformers of the period, and these collectathons are faithfully put collectively within the Gex Trilogy. There’s worth past nostalgia right here, even when these aren’t platforming classics (though it’s enjoyable to see a number of the big names that labored on these titles, corresponding to Glen Schofield, Evan Wells, and Bruce Straley).

I do need to give a particular shoutout to the sport’s good assortment of bonus options. There’s an incredible interview with Dana Gould, prototype footage of the never-released Gex Jr. sport, plus adverts, manuals, and artwork for all three titles. This further effort, together with a whole music participant for all three titles, actually helps make Gex Trilogy really feel like a celebration of the collection. We like to see it.

Gex Trilogy (PS5) Evaluation: Ultimate Verdict

The Gex Trilogy lives as much as its identify and brings all three Gex video games to fashionable consoles. With strong quality-of-life updates and a pleasant array of bonus options, there’s quite a bit right here for followers to sink their tooth into. Whereas the 3D sequels haven’t aged like wine, they’re nonetheless attention-grabbing to revisit, and the unique side-scroller remains to be numerous enjoyable.

Disclosure: The writer supplied a digital copy for our Gex Trilogy PS5 evaluate. Reviewed on model 1.000.000.