Vexx

Published by Acclaim
Developed by Acclaim
Platform: PlayStation 2
Released - Out Now
Price : £39.99

Developed and published by Acclaim, Vexx is a 3D platformer. You take on the role of Vexx, who is out to avenge the death of his grandfather, who was killed by the evil Dark Yaba. Vexx has to explore the land of Astara, which is separated into ten huge worlds, comprising traditional genre locations - ice, desert, water and industrial, amongst others - before finally confronting his nemesis.

Game play involves negotiating every platform genre staple - from moving platforms, to climbing walls, to sliding down poles, to see-saws, to Boss showdowns - in order to acquire Shadowraith hearts, which are used in the game's central hub environment, to open up other worlds.

On his journey's outset, Vexx acquires the Power Talons, which are magical gloves that allow him to swipe and slash his enemies. He can also throw them into the air and keep them there by the use of combos. Energy can be thus acquired, which in turn can be used to perform special energy blasts and dash attacks.

Graphically, the game is colourful with imaginative level and character design. However, the variety of opponents is limited and most will have been seen within the first four to five levels.

Aurally, the movie and cut scenes are not subtitled. For a deaf gamer, most of the story will now be lost. Luckily, in reality, the scenes occur rarely, so you're not really missing much. Thankfully, the rest of the game is more friendly. The in-game instructions are written in text, which is clear and easy to read, and there are no crucial game play sound effects or prompts.

On the positive side, Vexx has a commendable variety of tasks to perform in order to acquire the numerous Shadowraith hearts. Some of the tasks are quite tricky and prove rewarding when achieved. It also provides a sizeable challenge, taking most gamers between fifteen and twenty hours to complete.

On the negative side, the graphics themselves are dated and the environments are more blocky and have inferior textures when compared to its peers. Although the worlds Vexx explores are huge, graphical pop-up is relatively frequent and spoils the overall effect. The frame rate is also quite choppy and slows down badly on occasion.

Vexx has the most annoying and frustrating camera I've come across in a long time. The default view is too high, and shifting it with the right stick is unwieldy at best. Matters do improve with time but never to the extent where it becomes natural and intuitive; a cardinal sin in a game of this nature.

Although the combat system does add something new, it's easier to just walk around most enemies, therefore making its utilisation slightly redundant.

Fundamentally, although Vexx's game play is enjoyable, you'll have seen it all before in numerous other platform games. Vexx apes Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Jak and Daxter and others but never manages to better them.

Overall Game Rating: 5.0/10
Vexx is a competent and sometimes enjoyable title, but the reality is that with Jak and Daxter, and Sly Raccoon et al, on the PS2, you're better off looking elsewhere.

Deaf Gamers Comment:
For deaf gamers, the main movie and cut scenes are not subtitled, making what little story there is, pretty unfathomable. However, the rest of the game is more friendly, and should not affect or hinder your ability to play.

Reviewed by Alf