GEX : ENTER THE GECKO
     Developer: Crystal Dynamics
     Publisher: Midway
     Release: February 1998
     Players: 1
     Difficulty: Medium to Frustrating

	Gex began as a 2D side-scrolling platform game, for the ill-fated 3DO system.
  Though the game didn't revolutionize or take the throne from classics like
  Super Mario Bros. or Sonic the Hedgehog, it did bring about a few innovations. 
  Sharp computer graphics gave the genre a facelift, and gameplay mechanics like the
  ability to use the character's gecko suction cup feet to climb walls pushed it ahead
  for the 32-bit consoles. However, the most interesting concept was that the storyline
  intertwined all of our favorite TV shows/styles as levels. It wouldn't be uncommon 
  to find yourself in "Kung-Fu" land, or "Cartoon" world. 
	
  	For the long-coming sequel, Crystal Dynamics worked on and refined the title
  for play in the third dimension. The quality oozes from this game. We have....
	
	.... Gex : Enter the Gecko, or as we'll call it (and the original name), Gex 3D.
  This is the Playstation's closest competitor to the Nintendo 64's absolutely 
  mind-blowing Mario 64, and for a system which in name has half the power, the developers
  at Crystal Dynamics did an equally mind-blowing job. 
	
	The gameplay is seemingly flawless in execution. You have your classic platform
  jumping and enemy stomping, along with the joy of exploration and vast 3D environments.
  Gex, the main character, is a humanized gecko, with the sparkling voice and commentary 
  of comedian Dana Gould. He finds himself in level after level of classic TV shows,
  complete with all the fun and excitement corresponding to them. The goal during each 
  attempt at a level is to find one red remote control, which are your keys to open the 
  gates to newer levels. Each main level has a specific theme, and is filled to the brim 
  with sarcastic humor, quotes, and hundreds of gags. It is simply a joy to explore the
  worlds.
 	
	The graphics for Gex 3D are simply mind-boggling. How did Crystal Dynamics pull 
  off such a sparkling, detailed game engine, while keeping a consistent frame rate? My
  guess is that they combed the Playstation's source code to produce the amazing visuals 
  that fill your retinas at every turn. We're talking near-N64 quality video here.
	
	The screen runs in a medium resolution (512 x 240), and all of Gex 3D's 
  textures are drawn meticulously in high-res. What this means is that the developers 
  created each texture as if it was up close, and if you explode the image, it won't 
  produce any nasty pixels. This takes considerably more time to do than by just creating
  cheap, low-res textures.
	
	Because of the amount of memory neccessary to store all this texture information,
  Gex 3D utilizes the now famous streaming technique. As you make your way through a 
  portion of a level, you will exhaust the RAM capacity, and the game will automatically
  dump the current memory and load in the upcoming part of the level. This is accomplished
  either through going through a doorway, or by wandering around a corner or another 
  hotspot. 
	
	Because of the streaming technique, developers aren't limited to the Playstation's
  paltry RAM size, and can theoretically make a level as large and as detailed as they see fit.
	
	The refresh rate of the game is astonishing, considering the quality of the visuals
  this 32-Bit machine is pushing. A nearly-constant 30 fps frame rate is kept throughout
  gameplay, with a few minor exceptions now and then.
	
	The graphics have an unmatched sheen and polish, and all of the polygonal models
  are wrapped in a stretchable skin, which rids those unsightly seams and tears in the joints.
  There is very little glitching or tearing in the environment. About the only major fault is
  one with the Playstation hardware itself. Because the PSX lacks a floating-point processor, 
  it does not have the necessary calculations to keep textures perspective-corrected. What we
  get is the infamous Playstation texture-warping, which is very noticable. 
	
	Pop-up is handled by a transluncent hazing-in process, and is non-obtrusive. 
  However, the clipping-horizon is very far in the distance for a completely 3D game which
  nearly matches the visuals of Mario 64.
	
	The variety in graphics is spectacular. The artistry and animation of all the 
  visuals in the game are simply astounding. This is literally a title that rivals the graphics
  of Crash Bandicoot and Mario 64. No joke!
	
	Soundwise, Gex 3D is superb as well! The music is forcibly created in PCM format 
  (because of the streaming), but this makes it very interactive. As soon as you enter a 
  different location in a level, you will hear a change in the melody, to fit the theme. 
  Likewise, the sound effects, especially the one-liners, are fabulous. HBO comedian, 
  Dana Gould, provided nearly hundreds of wise-cracks, and they happen constantly.
  For instance, you may walk by a fire pit, and he'll say a joke about fire! No 
  complaints here.
	
	Control is also a field that should be noted. Whether you use the digital or 
  analog control, each method works excellently. If you can come to grips with the analog mode,
  you'll have a fantastic time. With the buttons, you can jump, spring-jump, throw your tongue,
  whip your tail, duck, and crawl. In addition, you can control the camera (necessary because 
  of the completely 3D nature of the game). This is where a problem arises. The camera is 
  sometimes a problem and a litte annoying. Although you can choose how you want to control it
  (automatic, semi-auto, or manual), the view will occasionally swing by in such a way that it
  will put you in a frustrating angle, and sometimes bring you to an untimely doom. However, 
  when proficent with the semi-auto control, you should eliminate most of these problems.
	
	The gameplay is simply fantastic. You have platform-jumping as in Crash Bandicoot or
  Mario, as well as the excitement of full level exploration. The action is great, and 
  battling enemies, solving puzzles, and making long leaps is a blast, any time of the day.
  The innovation, however, comes from the exploration. 
	
	While comparing Bubsy 3D to Gex 3D is like comparing a rotten apple core to a plump,
  Red Delicious apple, I have to make a comparison. The worlds in Bubsy, although in a 
  higher-res than Gex, were simply sharp and defined flat-shaded polygons. They looked bizarre,
  lacked any detail, and appeared as if they were a skeleton of polygons put together for you 
  to traverse through. Each environment was so boring and similar to the last that you just
  didn't want to explore. I simply wanted to get to the next level as quickly as possible, 
  hoping that my eyes could feast on something wonderful. That never happened. Each 
  level in Gex 3D is a masterpiece. Every one is distinct, colorful, detailed, and convincing. 
  You feel like you are actually in the game. The urge to explore is irresistable, because 
  there is just so much to see. In addition, the level design and gameplay are absolutely 
  leagues above the latter.
	
	The levels of Gex 3D are, as I stated before, flooded with humor, intrigue, suspense,
  and quality programming. They are setup and put together in such a way that you will have 
  trouble putting the controller down. Each corner you turn will reveal a vast expanse for you
  to adventure in, and suprises lift their faces (sometimes literally!) everywhere.
	
	Well, I know I could ramble on and on about how wonderful Gex : Enter the Gecko is,
  but I'll leave you with a few last sentences... This a rediculously awesome example of
  what becomes of a console in its later years of life. The mix of graphics, sound, and 
  gameplay are unmatched in any title of this genre for the Playstation. If you are a fan 
  of the classic side-scroller, DON'T MISS THIS GAME !!!
							Kristian Mroczko

  Final Ratings:
  Graphics(x2): 10.0
  Sound   (x1): 10.0
  Control (x1): 9.5
  Pres.   (x1): 10.0
  Fun     (x5): 10.0
  Total Score :  99.5  - Platinum Award	            	"It's tail time!!!"