Game:

Gex (1995)

Duration: 12:00

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Gex is a 1995 platform game developed by Crystal Dynamics. It was originally released for the 3DO, but ports of the game were later released for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn and Microsoft Windows. It was a pack-in game for Panasonic models of the 3DO later in the console's life. It is the first game in the Gex series and introduces players to the title character, a wisecracking, television-obsessed gecko voiced by comedian Dana Gould, who must venture through the "Media Dimension" and defeat Rez, the overlord of the dimension who wants to make Gex into his new network mascot.
Gex was created by Lyle Hall in 1993 shortly after he had joined Crystal Dynamics, and initially followed a movie stuntman named Gecko X before being retooled at the advisory of Lead Programmer Gregg Travers. The game's lead character was intended as a mascot for the developer who could rival the likes of other immensely popular platformer characters- primarily Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog. Initially intended for completion in June 1994, and later in September of that year, development of the game took 21 months, with time constraints and a limited development team leading to numerous production difficulties. Several features were cut because of a necessity to complete the game on time, but some of these features were later re-added by a team of developers who programmed several other "hidden" features into the game. It was eventually released in April 1995 to largely positive reviews from critics. The 3DO version of the game managed to sell over a million copies, making it one of the system's better-selling games. Two sequels were later released, titled Gex 3D: Enter the Gecko and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko.


GamePlay

Gex is a side-scrolling platformer that follows the title character, an anthropomorphic, television-obsessed gecko named Gex who must travel through the “media dimension” and defeat the game's antagonist, Rez. Gex must traverse through 24 levels contained in 5 different TV channels which act as game worlds (accessed through a world map), each filled with platforming stages and ending with a boss stage. The goal of each stage is to explore and locate hidden television remotes which are used to unlock more levels. The original 3DO version of the game allows players to save their progress and resume from where they left off; all other versions use a password system instead. The player unlocks passwords and accesses the opportunity to save by beating a boss stage, or by finding VHS tapes hidden in certain levels. Every level contains a hidden portal which leads to a bonus level, the perfect completion of which earns the player a piece of the Planet X remote. Collecting every piece of this remote allows them to reach Planet X, an optional secret world.

Many of Gex's default abilities take advantage of his special characteristics as a gecko. In addition to being able to walk, run, and jump through the game’s levels, he can attach himself to walls and ceilings and crawl along them using the suction pads on his feet, allowing him to reach higher areas. Gex primarily attacks by using his tail; he can whip it in a full circle, which can be used to defeat enemies, activate switches and deflect projectiles, and can coil it into the shape of a spring in order to bounce off of enemies and other things. Levels contain assorted collectible power-ups which can provide Gex with several different abilities, such as enhanced speed, invulnerability, and specialized projectiles that can be launched from his mouth. Gex can obtain and utilize these power-ups by lashing his gecko tongue out and consuming them; alternatively, however, these items can also be tail whipped in order to replenish lost health, albeit at the expense of the item's primary effect. Gex's health is represented by three "hit paws", and he loses one whenever he is hit by an enemy or a hazard. If the player loses all of their hit paws, then they lose a life. The number of hit paws can be extended to 6 by finding a certain power-up. The player begins the game with 3 lives, though more can be earned by collecting 100 Golden flies in a level. Running out of lives gives the player a game over, forcing them to begin from the beginning (or from their last save point in the 3DO release).

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