Vexx

by Acclaim Studios Austin

Product Features

• 18 levels spread out over 6 worlds

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006IKB6
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: February 11, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,326 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

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

Product Description

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

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Difficult but Rewarding, December 21, 2003

By 

Erik (Great State of Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vexx (Video Game)

If you do not have a Gamecube and love games like Mario, then Vexx is an awesome and possibly better alternative. I liked Vexx better than the new mario Sunshine. It is much harder than Mario at times, but after you have completed something, you feel like you have accomplished much more than you would with Mario.
First of all, one of the above reviews said that there are 10 objectives in each world. That is not true. There are anywhere from 8 to 10 in each world. Each world is also massive and the graphics are awesome. One of the best things about this game though is the sound. the sound will never get old and is way better than other games like this. It does not support the custom soundtrack but once you hear the music on this game you will realize why.
The controls on this game are also great. Combination attacks are way more fun than squirting water in Mario Sunshine. The enemies are also cool and about the right difficulty level. Most of the game you will be trying to get from one place to another by dodging things, jumping over stuf, climbing or any other way possible. This is one of the best things about this game. this is also the most aggrivating thing about the game though because a lot of times if you make a wrong move you will have to start completely over again.
It takes forever to get some of the Wraithhearts. (which are what you are getting the whole game) So far every single objective that I have played has been enjoyable with the exception of the ones where you have to find 100 shards. Those get old fast. There are only about 5 of those in the whole game though and you dont have to get any to beat the game. You need 60 Wraithhearts to go to the final stage and there are at least 70 total Wraithhearts so you will not need to get every one. I have 43 Wraithhearts right now and am still addicted to this game, which has taken me at least 20 hours so far. This game is well worth your money and will keep you entertained for a long time.
Well, as you can tell I highly recommend this game and so far I have enjoyed this as much as Halo and probably a little bit more. The only game that is better in my opinion is Splinter Cell but that is a totally different type of game.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Totally addictive, October 6, 2003

By 

"cecrow" (Ottawa, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vexx (Video Game)

I bought this one with my girlfriend in mind, but now I'm the one who's addicted! This game is so effective at creating an atmosphere all its own, and so open-ended in which objectives you try to achieve, it's practically an RPG with a pre-made character. Explore every corner of every world and you won't go unrewarded.

I love the combination of action and puzzle-solving; the rhyming clues get stuck in my head all day long as I try to decipher what each task requires. I'm amazed at the variety of tasks; there's a couple of basic ones that repeat themselves in each world, but as for the rest there's always something new to try. I'm trying to accomplish every objective in every world, and it's going to take a loooong time.

One of the few excellent platformers for xbox, far superior to Pac-Man World 2. NOTE: the unlockable multiplayer aspect was removed during design, so this is strictly a 1-player game. But it's almost as much fun watching someone else play as playing it yourself.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aboslutely Amazing Game, March 13, 2003

By 

Blake E. Williams/Angela T. Williams (Kingston, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vexx (Video Game)

I have just taken my first peak into the second "world," and have had the game a few days now. The game is an excellent value. The first world is enormous, the graphics are very nice, the tasks are challenging and keep you coming back to try again when you fail but not to the point where they are frustrating. This game offers so much, and is so cool, I don't know where to begin. The controls are easy to pick up, and VEXX has a lot of interesting attack combos that he can perform. Swimming underwater takes some practice, but it's pretty cool, his gloves act like underwater jet packs and propel him through the water really nice.

Personally, and I haven't played all the other platform games out there, but I think VEXX is hands down the best platform game ever made, primarily because the worlds are non-linear..VEXX roams free in each world....in other platform games you more or less progress in a straight line from one way-point to the next and complete tasks along the way...but in VEXX you just go where you want to go, like in a "MYST" type situation...if you are familiar with MYST. The other thing that is really awesome about VEXX is the music and sound effects. In most games the music is more of a nuisance that detracts from the game, but in VEXX, well, it's hard to do it justice, but in VEXX the music is so appropriate, so intertwined with the game, so EPIC in sound, and the horns blare and the music changes when you accomplish a task, sounding more triumphant as you complete it, it seriously gives me chills up and down my spine sometimes.

Of course I dont know what the game is going to look like farther down the road, but from what I have seen thus far the TEEN rating is a little much, the game in my opinion is easily suitable for much younger than teens.

One more thing about the game, and that is that it is a very fun game to watch other people play, almost like watching a movie. Really, if you aren't sure about this game, then by all means go rent it first....but if there is even a tiny bit of a platform fan in you, then you will be buying this game afer you rent it. It is an exceptional game and an exceptional value

Best of Luck