Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Gex offers a playful twist on traditional platformers by plunging players directly into the heart of television screens. Your mission is simple yet compelling: collect remote controls to unlock new, zany worlds and ultimately thwart the evil Rez. Each level is themed around a different TV genre, from action-packed crime dramas to tongue-in-cheek soap operas, bringing a dynamic variety to the overall pacing and level design.

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As a wisecracking gecko, Gex is equipped with a versatile moveset that balances accessibility with depth. You can perform standard jumps, fire projectiles at enemies, and engage in close-range tail whips. What sets Gex apart, however, are his gecko-specific abilities: suction cups let you cling to walls and ceilings for clever platforming puzzles, while a sticky tongue allows you to snag out-of-reach power-ups and hidden collectibles. This mix of mechanics encourages creative exploration and keeps each stage feeling fresh.

Combat in Gex is straightforward but satisfying. Standard television-themed foes—such as rogue TV sets, VCR zombies, and remote-snagging critters—patrol each stage, requiring timely jumps, well-aimed fireballs, or swift tail whips to dispatch. Bonus rounds challenge your reflexes further, tossing you into minigames that emphasize timing and precision. Altogether, the gameplay loop of finding remotes, unlocking worlds, and mowing down television antagonists remains engaging from start to finish.

Graphics

For its era, Gex’s visuals deliver a memorable punch, brimming with vibrant colors and creative level themes. Each television world embraces a distinct aesthetic, from neon-lit cyberspace grids to over-the-top daytime talk show sets. The variety not only provides visual flair but also reinforces the notion that you’re literally hopping through channels in a television lineup.

The character design of Gex himself is a highlight—his expressive animations and trademark sunglasses inject personality into every movement. His tongue flicks, wall-clinging stances, and defeat animations are crafted with care, ensuring that even simple actions feel lively and fun. Enemies, too, are designed with plenty of character, whether they’re glitching TVs or bombshell aliens pried from low-budget sci-fi flicks.

While polygon counts and texture resolutions might not stand up to modern standards, the strong art direction compensates handsomely. Backgrounds feature parallax scrolling layers that give depth to each stage, and subtle environmental details—like static-filled screens or blinking neon signs—reinforce the game’s TV-centric theme. The overall presentation remains charming and distinctive.

Story

The narrative in Gex is delightfully tongue-in-cheek, embracing the absurdity of a gecko turned TV channel hopping hero. Your antagonist, Rez, is an offbeat take on a corrupt television network owner determined to dominate every channel. It’s a simple premise, but it provides a solid framework for the game’s episodic structure and satirical humor.

Between levels, brief cutscenes of Gex delivering wisecracks and pop-culture one-liners keep the tone light and entertaining. These interludes serve as palate cleansers, reminding players not to take the plot too seriously and to enjoy the witty jabs aimed at TV tropes. There’s a consistent sense of self-awareness, as though Gex knows he’s inside a cheesy cable network.

Although there’s no deep character development or dramatic plot twists, Gex leans into its strengths—snappy humor, playful parody, and infectious charm. The story effectively motivates progression, encouraging players to rescue all the remotes, free each TV world, and ultimately confront Rez in a suitably over-the-top showdown.

Overall Experience

Playing Gex is akin to channel surfing through a carnival of platforming hijinks. The combination of clever level gimmicks, varied environments, and Gex’s signature quips creates an experience that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly original. Each world feels alive, brimming with secrets to uncover and challenges to master.

Replay value is high thanks to hidden power-ups, alternate exits, and bonus stages that reward exploration and skill. Collecting all the remotes and uncovering every secret turns Gex into a gratifying scavenger hunt, perfect for completionists and casual players alike. The difficulty curve is well-balanced, offering accessible early levels that gently ramp up to more demanding platforming puzzles.

Ultimately, Gex stands out as a joyous romp through television-inspired worlds, powered by tight controls, imaginative design, and a charismatic protagonist. Whether you’re seeking lighthearted humor, inventive level design, or simply a platformer with plenty of personality, Gex delivers an experience that remains entertaining decades after its initial release.

Retro Replay Score

7.3/10