CROC
LEGEND OF THE GOBBOS
1 Player

This is a 3D platformer where you get to play a cute Crocodile who's
trying to rescue his even cuter friends the Gobbos from bad guy, Baron
Dante.

Graphics:  9/10
With 5 different 3D worlds and over 40 levels to explore this game is a
real treat.  The polygon graphics are extremely well done with very
little breakup or glitching to be found.  Croc and his friends are well
animated and the bosses are especially well detailed.  Short animated
sequences throughout the game help tell the story and also showcase the
great graphics. The choices in colors enhance the sharp graphics making
this quite the eye pleaser.

Sound/Music:  8/10
The music and sound effects are well done but not anything amazing. 
Croc's trapped friends make some very entertaining calls for help
whenever you are near them which adds to the fun and encourages you to
hurry up and figure out how to free them.  The music always fits the
level design and sets a comfortable pace to the game.

Control:  9/10
The analog control pad is a must for this game.  Although not required it
significantly enhances gameplay.  Both analog thumb pads are used.  One
controls movement and the other the camera angle.  If you press all the
way Croc will run if you press more gently he will walk or jog.  This
makes for superb control.  Croc has quite a number of abilities such as
running, jumping, climbing, swimming, and swinging.  He can even flip,
attack with his tail, stomp and walk backwards. The control is excellent
on all of his moves although jumping is always challenging in a 3D
environment.  If jumping was a little easier to control I would have
given this section a 10.

Gameplay:  8/10
This is a fun game.  There is a degree of puzzle solving on each level as
you try to figure out how to rescue the hidden Gobbos.  Also you have to
collect white crystals which protect you if you get hit by an enemy. 
When you do get hit your crystals go flying and you must scramble to
collect them again.  This is very similar to the rings in Sonic the
Hedgehog.  Also there are colored crystals hidden on each level.  If you
find all these colored crystals you can open a special door which leads
to an extra hidden friend and a different route to the next level.  The
bosses are the highlight of the game.  They are challenging but in a
really fun way.  Once you get their pattern figured out they are easy but
it can take several tries to figure them out.  They are really
entertaining and add a lot to the sometimes repetitive gameplay.  Just as
mentioned in the control section jumping is challenging and even tedious
at times due to the 3D environment but this is the only fault in an
otherwise fantastic game.

Replay:  7/10
The replay value in this game is found in the hidden crystals and Gobbos
that aren't necessary to advance to the next level.  Its is fun to go
back and try to find  whatever you might have missed the first time
around.  It does get repetitive but the bosses and animated sequences
keep in enjoyable.  I would have preferred more hidden items and puzzles
but perhaps we'll see that in Croc 2 which is already being developed.


Overall:  8/10
This is a good game.  Kids will really enjoy it but even older gamers
will find this game a fun diversion.  If you like 3D games, cute
critters, exploring, and puzzle solving you will enjoy this game.



Matthew O. Moncreaff