Vexx

by Vexx

Product Features

• Game

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006IKB7
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: February 11, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,905 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

While Acclaim obviously hopes to launch a new character into the video game pantheon with Vexx, don't expect another cuddly sprite who would be at home in a Looney Tunes cartoon. There is something decidedly twisted about Vexx. It might have something to do with his witnessing of the murder of his grandfather. After discovering hidden Astani war talons--which permanently attach to Vexx's arms--he is charged with avenging his grandfather's death, freeing his fellow villagers from slavery, and ridding the universe of the evil Dark Yabu.

But focusing on the game's story line misses the point of this platform game. Soon after the long and elaborately animated introduction ends, cut scenes fade into obscurity and the running, jumping, flipping, kicking, and smashing begin. Playing as Vexx, you collect Wraith hearts. The Wraiths themselves have been destroyed somehow--a story point that isn't too clear--but their force-feedback beating hearts remain. By gathering their energy, you power up the central hub that in turn opens doors to different worlds--from ice-encrusted wastelands and lush forests to hilly deserts and underwater oases. The graphics and music in each new world, as well as the many miniworlds hidden within, are often breathtaking. At times, you easily become distracted, taking a break from world-saving responsibility to hop into a pool for a swim or perch on top of some pole just to get a good look around.

The controls are fairly straightforward, although occasionally a near-impossible move sequence is needed to propel Vexx up to the next wobbling platform. The puzzles that lead to each heart can be challenging, if not downright frustrating, but there are enough available that you can always go play somewhere else. There are 81 hearts scattered throughout the game, but only 60 are required to battle Dark Yabu. The creatures in each world are easy to slaughter, only a nuisance if they attack at the wrong time or en masse. Those seeking more of a challenge can hop on the sundial in each level and twist it from day to night, which not only produces cool graphical and musical effects, but brings out a meaner breed of creepy-crawly.

The only real defect is the third-person camera, which at times simply refuses to cooperate--but this is more than made up for with the thrill of battling a sumo wrestler about 15 times your size, complete with his jiggling rolls of fat and deep-throated chortle. Nothing beats smacking him in the butt until he looms up on his tippy toes and falls over. --D.J. Morel

Pros:

• Cool new character
• Breathtaking graphics and music
• Lots of interesting worlds to explore

Cons:

• Camera often impossible to control
• Some levels are just too difficult

Amazon.com Product Description

Here's the deal: On the forsaken remains of what was once the proud planet called Astara, the villagers of Rockhaven led difficult but peaceful lives until the day the Shadowraith, Dark Yabu, and his minions swept down from the sky. With terrible ferocity and ruthless efficiency they descended upon the townsfolk, enslaving them to work deep in the caves that surrounded their village. Dark Yabu murdered the grandfather of the young Vexx, who managed to slip quietly aboard the enemy's windship. There, locked deep within Yabu's sanctum, was the last pair of Astani Battlegauntlets, which leapt from their chest onto Vexx's outstretched hands, bonding to his arms and giving him special powers. Prepared to meet his destiny, Vexx embarks upon a heroic quest through volcanic islands, desert temples, frozen citadels, and giants' castles, to confront Dark Yabu high atop the Landspire, save his people, and avenge the death of his grandfather.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great game and challenging gameplay!!, April 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Vexx (Video Game)

All the negative talk about the camera in this game is over-blown! There is a minor glitch here and there, as the camera adjusts. But I will tell you that this camera works just like Mario and Zelda games. 360 viewing! But I would say the camera is a tad closer to Mario games. Exploration, fighting, and gameplay, I would say are closer to the Zelda games.

If you are a Zelda and Mario fan like I am. YOU WILL LOVE THIS GAME! This game has a little of both. As far as story line? Well the game lacks there.

It's just simply an addicting game! And the graphics are great too.

As far as gameplay. This game has it all over Mario.

And in my book much more challenging than Wind Waker.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful but absurdly difficult, April 23, 2004

By 

Some Guy (Redwood City, California United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vexx (Video Game)

I love 3rd person games with characters that are cute, but not TOO cute, and offer beautiful environments and inventive play. Vexx is very much that. Maybe not as much so as Starfox Adventures (my all time favorite game), but hey, nobody's perfect.

Problem is, this game is simply too hard. Many serious gamers will see this as a challenge (as I'm sure the author of the walkthrough I have did), but there are limits. Vexx seriously oversteps those limits.

The many environments of play are beautifully done, from the interior of a giant's den (you gotta love romping through grandfather clocks, grand pianos, and bouncing on sofa cushions), to a weird, darkened netherworld where the surfaces move like organic smoke, to pretty Aztec-ish cities and frozen landscapes.

Two things really kill this game dead, though. One is the enormously frustrating camera, which often forces bad perspectives on you that you can't override. And, again, many tasks are just ridiculously hard. Some just go on and on and on and on and on. Get bored or rushed and make one small mistake, and you'll find yourself starting all over. And over. And over. And over.....

I give it 3 stars because it is very entertaining when mearly challenging instead of impossible, beautifully animated, and I like the idea of a cute, pi**ed off little critter thrashing his way to revenge. If it weren't for the camera and some programmer's (seemingly) mad determination to make a nearly impossible game, it would be good for 5.

I got this because it's broadly similar to Starfox Adventures (3rd person critter goes on a multi-world adventure), and if you have similar tastes then get this only if you must have SOMETHING until a new Starfox or something else vaguely similar comes out.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sorely underrated gem of a platformer for Gamecube, January 24, 2004

By 

"electrofunkchild" (chi-town) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vexx (Video Game)

Vexx is the type of game that you can not fully appreciate until you get into some of the later levels. I for one think this games' graphics are great, especially through progressive scan. Awesome character designs and very unique textures. Where this game really shines are the awesome, huge worlds you traverse through. I found myself not being able to wait to see what new world i was going to unlock. Each level has 8-10 goals that you can tackle in any order, making it an extremely non-linear game. One area that this game really shines in is the PUZZLE DESIGN! Some of the puzzles in these levels are INGENIOUS! This game is truly for hardcore platforming fans only, if you can't handle your analog stick to perform precise jumping, crawling or maneuvering, you need to stick to your first person shooters.