GameCube

Vexx

There is great potential here, and Vexx is a game that I would certainly recommend to friends, purely for the level design, fun (if somewhat repetitive) combat, humour, subtle sound effects, and sheer size. Mario? Not quite, but I wouldn't call Vexx a pushover.

If this game had just a little more fine-tuning, it would get the highest honors. As it stands, it is still one of the better platforming experience you'll have this year.

Vexx could’ve been worlds better if not for its nauseatingly inconsistent camera system. But in spite of that it is still a entirely distinctive and original 3D platformer with loads of entertaining challenges and exceptional artistic direction. Platform junkies should certainly check this game out as it offers up a fairly long quest and is an overall rewarding experience. But for gamers who just want their fix of jumping from platform to platform a rental or two should suffice.

One of the plus sides in Vexx is a nice variety of puzzles and mini-games. After the first 2 or 3 worlds, wraith-hearts are no longer found out in the open, but instead are found deep within side-areas. Some of these areas have tough puzzles to figure out, others have fun mini-games to complete, but all of them will give you the same prize upon completion, a wraith-heart. One of the best mini-games comes early on in the game where Vexx is challenged to a sumo-wrestling match by an enemy 10 times his size. Knocking him out of the ring 3 times is the only way to achieve victory, but your opponent may not be satisfied if he loses.

Overall, Vexx is an entertaining platformer that would appeal to the gamer that is looking for something different, but in the end it seems like a darker version of every other platform game. There is a huge potential to this game and it would probably have been better if it was transformed into a fantasy RPG and given the royal treatment. Who knows; there were problems with Summoner and Summoner 2 was totally redesigned into a surprise hit. Maybe the same could be done with Vexx.

The true strength of Vexx is in the platforming and puzzle elements. The game is good and a lot of fun, but misses out on greatness simply because there wasn't enough thought or daring put into the design. It's challenging at times, but the game is a bit unfocused. Still, the puzzle elements are a pleasure and the gameplay mechanics are simple and somewhat addictive. There are lots of little faults to Vexx but it's a good game, if not a great one.

Vexx is a fun and challenging game to play. And a nice addition to the action-platform family. But a bunch of minor disappointments bundled together keeps it from achieving excellence. Hopefully the bad will be addressed in the sequel if one is in the works. No wacky camera, no jumping framerate, no collect’em all gameplay. But until then I could only recommend a rental. And if after the rental Vexx floats your boat. Go ahead & buy it.

Vexx is nothing more than your run-of-the-mill platformer. Though the level design and beautiful visuals are something to admire, the audio, plot and general lack of originality leaves something to be desired. If you’re in dire need of a platforming fix and you’ve already beaten all the big titles, you might want to check Vexx out. Who knows, you might find something you like.`

Vexx est l'exemple parfait du titre plutôt bien fait mais qui doit faire avec une jouabilité trop imprécise pour ce type de jeu. La caméra vient en effet gâcher ce qui aurait pu être un très bon jeu de plate-forme. Il n'y a pas d'autres mots que les traditionnels : « c'est dommage... ».

Vexx is not a terrible game. Yes, the graphics are a touch dated. Yes, the mechanics are familiar, perhaps to a fault. And, yes, the sound design leaves much to be desired. But what undercuts Vexx the most is the increased level of polish and innovation other recent 3D platformers have brought to the table. Had it been released just a year earlier, it probably would've fared much better. But as it stands, Vexx feels outdated right out of the gate. 3D platformer fans, hard-core or casual, can just do better.

The game follows the adventures of a pencil-necked, slightly furry lad named Vexx. (The trailing "x" is silent.) Vexx has anger management issues, perhaps partially due to the fact that his people have been enslaved by the Shadow Wraiths and forced to work in mines. One day Vexx rebels against a guard, which leads to the murder of his grandfather. Enraged, he sneaks out into the night to seek a weapon of retribution. Thus he finds the legendary Astani War Talons, the only weapon that can destroy Shadow Wraiths. With the Talons now permanently fused to his arms, Vexx sets out to save the world of Astara from the Shadow Wraith menace. Or, at least, collect lots of Wraithhearts. I'll get to that shortly.