Review: Gex Trilogy on PS5

Alright, let’s dive right into this wild ride. So, Gex is back after nearly three decades. I know, right? Who thought we’d see the day when our beloved gecko — you know, before GEICO’s version — waltzes back onto the gaming stage with the Gex Trilogy. Is it just nostalgia playing tricks on us, or do these titles really have some magic left? Let’s stumble through this review together.

### It’s Tail Time!

Kicking off with the first Gex game. Originally, it showed up on the 3DO — yeah, that’s ancient history — before making its way to the Sega Saturn and PlayStation. It’s the sole 2D adventure in Gex’s life story. So, Gex gets himself sucked into his TV by a villain named Rez. Classic, right? This bad guy wants Gex to be some media mascot. You hop through various bizarre channels like the Cemetery and Kung Fuville. Each has levels, each level a remote to snag before you can leave. Honestly, I kinda loved the silliness of it all.

Let’s talk gameplay… You can run, but it’s like trying to steer a shopping cart with a broken wheel — not fun. Those enemies? They’ve got hitboxes stranger than a cat’s decision-making process. Gex has his usual tail tricks and bouncy moves. You’ll find power-ups, eat ’em like candy — think flame shots and invincibility. Checkpoints look like cameras, and you get to save anytime. Imagine that!

### Entering the 3D Madness

Next up, Gex: Enter the Gecko. Our green friend jumps into 3D. Rez is back, and this time, Gex is tempted by a bit of cash from the government to get involved. The control is better… sorta. Still floaty, like trying to walk on a trampoline. New moves enter the scene, kinda awkward sometimes, but hey — Gex also talks a lot, some lines okay, others overdone. Like seriously, how many variations of “It’s Tail Time” can you take? The camera’s a nightmare, swinging around like it’s on a sugar rush till you change it to manual.

The world setup is intriguing though — big TV screens act as portals. You collect remotes and hidden ones, too. Collectibles even change form as you gather more. Cool, right? The costumes are fun — from rabbits to disco threads. The world’s a bit of a labyrinth, but still, I found a way and weirdly enjoyed it.

### 3D Redux

Now to Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko. It starts with a Baywatch actress reaching out to Gex. Adventure, here we come! The hub world is sprawling — did they really need to change it? And, those collectibles are pretty basic now. Still, timed bonus areas do spark some fun if you can survive the annoying ticking clock reminding you of your impending doom.

On a brighter note, the levels felt, I dunno, more connected? Gex switches it up sometimes with snowboards or tanks, which breaks the monotony. Boss fights have evolved, thank goodness. This one definitely feels like a beefed-up version of the second game, which isn’t a bad thing, really.

### So, Is the Gex Trilogy Worth It?

In the end, the Gex Trilogy is decent-ish. Limited Run and the Carbon Engine did a decent job of keeping frustrations at bay with some modern tweaks. Special shoutout to the extras, like old commercials, interviews, and art. A time capsule from the 90s if there ever was one. Sure, it doesn’t match up to Super Mario 64 or Banjo-Kazooie, but who cares? It’s Gex!

6 out of 10? Yup, sounds about right. At the end of the day, every game deserves a slice of the preservation pie, especially quirky ones like these.