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Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Playing Gex again is a reminder of a simpler time for gaming - Reader's Feature
A reader welcomes the return of PS1 platformer Gex and reminiscences over both a childhood favourite and an era when video games weren't so demanding. This week, a game trilogy has been re-released which is very dear to me but seemingly very few people have even heard of: Gex – where a gecko is tasked with saving television from the evil robot Rez. This is good news, even if you don't know or care about Gex. Games are notoriously difficult to preserve. Playing old games today, without the hardware they originally ran on, can be a mission that quickly enters a legal grey area. Therefore, I am immensely grateful for companies like Limited Run Games giving some of these old games a new lease of life. Although it feels like only a minimum effort went into this one – note how I call it a re-release and not a remaster or remake. The Switch version, in its current state, looks especially awful. At least they added some quality of life features, like being able to manually save whenever you want to, which can take the frustration out of some of the more challenging levels. Gex was originally created by Crystal Dynamics, who took over the Tomb Raider franchise after Angel Of Darkness. Speaking of which, did you know that until the 2013 reboot, Lara's model was measured in Gexels? This is because the Tomb Raider games were made on a modified engine based on the one developed for Gex 3D: Enter The Gecko, which was heavily inspired by Super Mario 64 and in my opinion definitely doesn't have to stand in that game's shadow. This is the game I played religiously as a child. I loved the tail-whipping gecko from the first moment I laid eyes on him, on my neighbour's PlayStation, and eventually got the game for PC. Once I also got the graphics card necessary to actually play it, I spent every minute of my allotted hour of computer time in the media dimension, where Gex hops into the different levels, which are pastiches of television genres and movies. These range from haunted house horror to Looney Toons, kung fu movies, Star Wars, and many more. They are full of fun nods to their inspirations and Gex usually dresses for the occasion, be that fighting hunters as a bunny during 'Wabbit' season or wearing a hide and a bone although his nose in the Jurassic levels. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. The animations and sound design made it so much fun to double jump around on Gex's spring-shaped tail, accompanied by a characteristic 'boioinnng!' And if you happened to land on some unfortunate enemy's head, they got flattened. Similarly, when jumping into a wall, Gex might hit his head and fall flat on his back with a splat, after which stars circle over his head, together with an 'oooww' sound. I'm definitely guilty of giving the poor gecko a few headaches. The game also rewarded my urge to explore and while I failed a timed Indiana Jones style level a lot, because I spent my time marvelling at the snakeheads and skulls adorning the temple walls, imagine my elation when I discovered, in a horror level, that some bookshelves would turn when walking against them, revealing a lever that opened a new part of the level! Of course. I also hunted down all the collectibles to earn all the TV remotes. With enough remotes you would unlock new levels and bosses and one of these has been living rent free in my head for over 20 years now: Gexzilla battling it out with Mecharez – complete with tanks and helicopters trying to defend the city that is getting destroyed in the process – epic! The only thing that doesn't quite hit home for me is Gex's actual personality, especially when it comes to the voice lines, which trigger all the time. While the sound effects and animations are quite endearing, the comedian Dana Gould's quips are old-fashioned and feel weird to hear out of a gecko's mouth. (It seems you were playing the US version. In the UK, Gex was originally voiced by Leslie Philips and then later Danny John-Jules. Their voices weren't in the initial re-release but are being added via a patch – GC) And then there is the fact that a Gecko has implied relations with a human woman… ick. I guess it is a product of its time, much like the older James Bond films which inspired his personality, but I do have to give its makers credit for trying something different than 'Mamma mia.' More Trending I love revisiting Gex because it reminds me of simpler days. Life is busier now and I rarely find the time or motivation anymore, to fully explore and complete today's often vast and complex games. Older games making a comeback shows us that there is a case for more simplicity. Being able to finish a game without it taking dozens of hours and eating up all your spare time is such a relief. By reader Peter Schmid The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@ or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email. MORE: Video games are great for my mental and physical wellbeing - Reader's Feature MORE: I'm going to say it: Mario Kart World is not as good as it should be – Reader's Feature MORE: As a former Xbox 360 owner I don't understand Xbox today - Reader's Feature
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
10 excellent games you would be embarrassed to play around non-gamers
Image via: Crystal Dynamics/Eidos-Montréal In the universe of gaming, one thing is certain, not every game is created equal, especially in the view of the uninitiated. Some have pioneered the essence of design and storytelling; yet others will have you fumbling for the pause button and excuses when caught mid-game. Here are 10 games you may very well be proud of playing, but only behind closed doors. 1. Tomb Raider Ara Croft's reboot aimed to redefine the character as a serious and gritty survivor. What we received, however, was a wonderful action-adventure, largely resembling a really late-night adult film. The problem? Each scream uttered by Lara following a climb, fall, or blow definitely does not go well in shared company-and not everyone would enjoy witnessing your outburst. 10 Great Games You'd Be EMBARRASSED to Play Around Non-Gamers 2. Yakuza Series Yakuza is half an undergoing crime drama and half a fever dream. One moment you are doing battle in the underworld, the next you are in a rhythm game or watching women in bug outfits catfight. The tonal whiplash is both the charm and reason for only using headphones. 3. Stellar Blade It is fast and showy, but Eve's outfit comes off with revealing suit-like levels of jiggly physics that would have felt dated ten years ago. Underneath the cheesecake, there is a good game, but once they unlock Eve's "suit," judgmental side eyes, even from fellow gamers, will erupt. 4. Dragon's Crown The Sorceress in particular provides an anatomy lesson on the over-exaggerated side of things. You'll be embarrassed just selecting characters. And while it's an entertaining game, your rational defense for playing is about to die when anyone walks into the room and asks you just what you are playing. 5. Life Is Strange For all its emotional depth and social commentary, "Life Is Strange" bears some of the most excruciating dialogue in gaming. Sure, it tugs on your heartstrings; now try explaining to someone why you're crying over a high-school-breakup simulator rather than merely shutting your console off. 20 PS5 Games That Are Hidden Gems You Missed 6. Bayonetta Series Bayonetta is powerful, witty, but unapologetically odd. Clothes made of hair-letting the hair fly off during combat to summon demons-have got some feminists applauding, others crying "exploitative," while folks walking in at the wrong time will ensure a "damn, what are you playing?" 7. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 The story is epic, the world is wide, and the characters are they hard to ignore. Pyra could break your heart. This fantastic RPG is almost unplayable in public, seeing its characters as if they've been lifted from a fan-service sketchbook. 8. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain A mute assassin who "breathes through her skin" and looks good in strands of clothing pieces. The genius hiding behind stealth gameplay in a Kojima production is often questioned with thick jokes about why on earth your sniper comrade has to be dressed in almost odd dress while committing to warfare. 9. Dead or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball It is a vacation simulator for those who have never left childhood. Physics that provide a bouncing effect are probably better than the actual game mechanics. This is not something you play; you just keep it hidden beneath a pile of more respectable titles. 10 Games With Good Gameplay But DISAPPOINTING STORY 10. Final Fantasy X-2 The sequel to one of the most cherished RPGs in history starts with a J-pop concert and never looks back. Dress spheres, awkward massage minigames, and never-ending "girl power" energy make this one a guilty pleasure even amongst die-hard fans. Not all embarrassment is bad. Some of these defy conventions while others embrace irreverence. One thing for certain, if you're popping any of these on, be sure to lock the door and lower the volume. Because sometimes the cringe is just too loud to ignore, no matter how deep or brilliant the game. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
《古墓奇兵》新作終於要來？爆料者聲稱隨時都可能會公開
（圖源：Shadow of the Tomb Raider） 2022 年時，Square Enix 以 3 億美金的價格，出售旗下《古墓奇兵》（Tomb Raider）和《駭客入侵》等多款遊戲 IP 與開發團隊給 Embracer 集團，雖然收購後《古墓奇兵》推出了兩部舊版強化盒輯，但新作已經有近 7 年時間沒有任何消息。而近日，根據爆料消息指出，《古墓奇兵》新作很快就會推出。 知名影視娛樂消息爆料者 V Scooper，去年曾爆料《古墓奇兵》新作背景設定在印度，並且有張能允許玩家自由探索的大地圖、可以駕駛載具等消息。而近日，V Scooper 引用去年的消息，發文表示《古墓奇兵》新作可能隨時都會公開。 I can see the announcement coming anytime soon... — V Scooper (@thevscooper) April 11, 2025 距離上一次 Crystal Dynamics 的《古墓奇兵》新作，已經是 2018 年的《古墓奇兵：暗影》，屬於重啟系列的新三部曲。而 Crystal Dynamics 其實早在 2022 年時，就通過 Epic Games 的官方節目「 The State of Unreal 2022 」確認新作採用 Unreal Engine 5 開發，後來更確定是由 Amazon Games 負責發行，不過同樣至今 2 年過去仍沒有任何新消息。 緊貼最新科技資訊、網購優惠，追隨 Yahoo Tech 各大社交平台！ 🎉📱 Tech Facebook： 🎉📱 Tech Instagram： 🎉📱 Tech WhatsApp 社群： 🎉📱 Tech WhatsApp 頻道： 🎉📱 Tech Telegram 頻道：
