Not sure why, but as a kid, i always wanted or thought it would be a dope cross over with Rayman 2. Since you know, enslavement theme. That and also with Kya.
OmegaChase1002 I Agree and I like it but it’s very minor they could have made the time of day change constantly so that it became a threat rather than someone like me just changing it to day
I don't get it. How are you everywhere? You are literally the only RUclipsr I am subscribed to that I see in the comment section of videos repeatedly. I didn't even get to this from a recommended video or anything. I searched for it and yet here you are again. How very strange. Perhaps we think alike?
I'm pretty surprised there was no mention of the world and atmosphere. It isn't the most amazing I've ever seen, but some areas are pretty breathtaking in just pure, wondrous atmosphere
@@kristijanpetrovski2576 It _is_ pretty edgy, but not _too_ much. I beat the game years ago, and well, let's say he's not exactly exaggerating. It takes almost pixel perfect movements to beat him.
@@KaminariHouse Is any media depicting anger edgy? No. Edgy is negative term used by millennials. And I also beat this game, and still own it. Maximo, is way harder. Some parts of Jack were also harder (unlimited continues make it simpler). It's not un fair. It's not pixel perfect requirement. Especially not by the time you make it to the last level.
@@kristijanpetrovski2576 I don't understand what people's deal about a cartoony platformer from the PS2 era being edgy. Nobody complained about that when jak 2 did it, so what's this game's excuse?
@@LicensedGuitarist2000 Do you mean, why is the youtube video crapping on it for being "edgy"? If that's the question, I don't know why, it might be because it is just an easy target, to crap on a theme that is not liked nowadays. It's not even very story or cutscene heavy but what ever, it was a great platformer...
Apparently there's some kind of "super mode" that I found entirely by accident just recently - you can activate by pressing R and Jump (that's what the meter in the top right is for) that makes you stronger and lets you throw projectiles until it runs out.
This was my childhood. Have been playing it all the time. Beating it and replaying it over and over again since about 2006 and am currently replaying it now. So I still think it's the best.
What's funny is that during the in-game cutscene right before the final boss where Vexx confronts Yabu, most of the time he'll just grunt and then point his hand at him and beckon him to fight, but sometimes an alternate version of this scene will play out where instead, Vexx just straight up flips him off, completely uncensored. To this day, I still have no idea what triggers this alternate version of the scene to play out. Like I don't know if there's a random chance of this happening or if you have to do something to trigger it, but it has happened twice while I've been playing the game. I've never seen any reference to this even existing anywhere online, and I wish I could catch this on video to show proof.
There's a Speedrun here on RUclips where one of the Devs chats with the runner. He mentioned that it has 1 in a 1000 chance of flipping off Yabu lol it actually happened the first time I fought him and never again, I thought I was insane.
I tested on this game at Acclaim NY and I am sorry that you felt the need to play it. It was terrible... oh and completely stripped down to meet the deadlines. Originally you could climb everything, when they took that out just near completion it made all those mistakes stand out, like the platforms to go down but not back up, you were supposed to climb out. There was also more areas as well.
That actually explains a whole of things I always wondered about. It would be cool if you could do some sort of video or essay or something about cut content.
@@nekomaru856 Hopefully Throwback Entertainment do the game justice (They own the ip now), if they decide to make a remake sometime in the future. Hopefully they survive long enough to do that, so I bookmarked their webpage. I enjoyed the game and didn't find it edgy, sure it was hard sometimes, and it was light on story so I could just focus on the platforming.
Having replayed this game quite recently and 100% completing it, I must say, I enjoyed it a hell of a lot more than I thought I would. I can't deny the flaws about the game you mentioned, as they are very valid arguments and could have been taken into account if a sequel was released. I found the controls to work very brilliantly. They were tight and responsive, and it was very easy to judge long-distance jumps and such. I feel as though the level design is very creative and imaginative, and just one look alone makes me want to explore the mysteries surrounding it and obtain every Wraith Heart. Most of the cheap sections can be bypassed if you know what you're doing, and this results in satisfying shortcuts and stunts that can easily be pulled off with enough confidence. The flip-kick, like you mentioned, offers an amazing unintentional double-jump to help correct a difficult landing, and the air-to-ground force attack can break Vexx's fall on many occasions. This, coupled with the mostly 60FPS framerate, allows for a very tight and precise platforming experience. For me at least, when I want Vexx to make a specific jump, I can clearly visualise it and make it happen the moment the thought crosses my mind. Baring in mind I played this on the Gamecube though, so I didn't have the same problems as the PS2 version thanks to more comfortable controllers and better hardware to shorten the loading times. The game is pretty difficult, and some of the spikes in difficulty are a bit inconsistant, but for the most part, I didn't really have any problems. I enjoyed the challenge the moment I got used to Vexx's controls, as I sometimes veered off the beaten path and tried solving things my way if it was at all possible (e.g. in the Citadel of Shadows, I got to the first heart by taking one of the easier high paths toward a different heart, only to leap off that route toward the end of the route I was supposed to take). This got me thinking; Maybe this game is made purely for the hardcore platformers. The challenge seemed fair enough to me, with a few annoying exceptions, and it was because of the variety in level design and missions that there never was a dull moment for me. I was always being challenged, and as a result, every achievement I accomplished made me want to recapture that glory. For the most part, I didn't actually mind the combat of the game either. I felt as though it added to the experience, and since every enemy drops health pick-ups, it added more incentive to defeat them. I felt it works best with more than half of the enemy roster, though I can definitely see frustrations rising with the armed enemies with axes and such, as they are just a ball-ache to fight and probably not worth the time to do so. All in all though, if they built the combat around platforming like they did in the first half of the game for an entire game, it'd be even better. While the game is pretty edgy to a sometimes baffling degree, it does allow for the dark and warped worlds to be that much more interesting to explore. Half of the fun for me was just travelling and platforming my way across each world. It can be straining to do over and over again on some of them. Citadel of Shadows is a bit bullshit when you have to collect 100 of those soul thingies, but I often found myself with a lot more of them than I thought I would, so getting them all to form a heart was never an issue for me. As for the bosses, well I'm not sure I entirely agree there either, mainly for the first 2. The sumo guy is pretty easy to defeat the first time around, and even the second time once you've learned how to dodge his attacks and what ques to look for. The Mummy bossfight is ridiculously easy when you realise all you have to do is avoid his rolling attacks, too. But Dark Yabu? I will not argue with you on that one. He's not impossible to beat, as I did so on the second day of my play-through after getting the last heart. but god damn, just getting to the second phase is bad enough. Most of his attacks hit without warning even when you know the pattern, and the process of flipping him over to attack his weapoint would have been appreciated and admired if it weren't for the bullshit army of Shadow Wraiths you have to defeat while avoiding meteors, and the shockwave attacks that he sneaks in during the second phase. Once you finally do get past that part though, the fight is much easier, and kind of clever. You defeat one more wave of Wraiths and dodge a few meteors before some of them suddenly home in on you. I realised at that point I couldn't avoid them, and when Vexx's talons started glowing, I knew I had to punch them back at him Ganondorf-style. Despite how incredibly unfair and unbalanced the final boss was up until that point, I could almost forgive it for the satisfaction I got from lanching the final meteor toward Yabu and finishing him off. All in all, I definitely understand your point of view on the game's shortcomings, but I was surprised at just how much more I enjoyed the game and got more value out of it than I initially thought I would going back to it all these years. Regardless though, your video made me want to replay it in the end, and thanks to that, I wouldn't have had a blast with it like I did! The flaws you mentioned like balanced difficulty and better bosses with wind-up animations to give the player a better chance to react and attack, could all be very substantial improvements in a sequel, though I can only dream at this point because of Acclaims successful attempts at company suicide. Maybe someone could buy the rights and make a kickstarter project or something like that?
I felt like this comment was your way of playing pretend game reviewer/critic. First most people won't read a comment that long on a video especially not the creator and secondly almost everything you said was a revised version of what he said besides a few points you disagreed on. Point being, stick to your day job.
"I felt like this comment was your way of playing pretend game reviewer/critic." - You're assuming something that is unfounded to conclude AND cutting him down for it "First most people won't read a comment that long on a video especially not the creator" - You responded to a post that's 2 years old and has been read and upvoted by 45 randoms - and while we don't know Nitro Rad's opinion on long posts, it's not unreasonable to say that he may potentially appreciate them more than 45 randoms do "secondly almost everything you said was a revised version of what he said besides a few points you disagreed on" ... his entire comment was written as a reply to the video, not a separate critique - not sure if you read his whole post "Point being, stick to your day job." - Seeing as the poster wasn't trying to play pretend critic and was simply responding to the video (which requires bringing up already-made-points), it feels pretty safe to say that he wasn't being stupid and that you're just being mean.
This game was actually quite memorable to me as a teen. I enjoyed the soundtrack a lot and the game always felt a tad bit creepy..which I think was my draw to it at the time lol
Vexx is one of my favorite games of all time and I'm really happy to see it finally get some love. Really wish it didn't get rushed the way it did, but weh, still a fun game.
There are great platformers where enemies requires more than one hit, like Megaman series and Ratchet & Clank series. Also, I remember some others that are great but are half-platforming and half-combat, like the Maximo series, the Prince of Persia: SOT trilogy or Guacamelee
I have had this game since i was a child. So even though it has many problems it is still a very special game to me. Alot of the maps are really really cool in my opinion and the music is SO GOOD. Some of the best game music i have ever heard honestly. Sadly the company was going bankrupt so they couldn't make as good of a game as they wanted, but it was a very good try.
i love how many of your reviews focus on the ps2 xbox and gamecube era (my personal favorite game era) whats your favorite to least favorite of the systems if you dont mind me asking
The atmosphere at night with the ring of the bells, the somber music, and the occasional dead people talking in the background, was simply the most amazing piece of work I'd seen back then, and still tops today
honestly mindblown by the fact that i have been apparently watching 8-10 year old videos this whole time. they really hold up. great job. they are really edging me closer into getting back into video games
+NitroRad You said in ALOT of modern sonic games after Sonic heroes had a health bar on the enemies. But if you were meaning from Sonic heroes to Sonic unleashed, then please forgive my ignorance. :p
Ahh Vexx. Man I loved the themes and worlds in this one. And a really challenging last boss crowns the game. And the music... I still listen to Vexx's ost, I really like it.
Wikipedia explains how Acclaim Austin went from Turok to Vexx. They're a renamed Iguana Entertainment, the devs that made the Aero the Acro-bat games on 16-bit systems.
This game was fucking badass, and the platforming super unforgiving but satisfying once done right. Also the atmosphere of this game was top tier. Definitely a great game. Super fucking hardcore.
I played Vexx as a kid and looked up the game for a little nostalgia trip. And hey! Your channel is rad! You put a lot of effort into this video and I think you deserve more views dude!
I would probably have never heard of Vexx if it wasn't for it being stood alone on an empty shelf for Gamecube. Glad you gave one of my favourite childhood platformers a balanced review.
Great review! So much nostalgia. But you were wrong about the sun dial mechanic. The night made all the enemies more dangerous and harder to kill, and time does change without the need of you using the dial. Finally i THINK there were other hearts that you could get only at night time or day time (other than the portals)
Vexx is God Tier. Weird I played the version on the original xbox and I never remember seeing that goofy cutscene at the start. I can see how watching that would ruin the vibe of this game. This game has such a mysterious aura to it based on the deserted empty worlds you enter, the soundtrack, and the riddles you are required to solve for each heart. Super challenging and underrated
Always a bit bittersweet seeing that one mote of creative burst in a studio's history. These 3D/mascot platformers from the 90s and 2000s were often the only chance these studios had at having some measure of creative freedom away from safer projects like sports, racing and casino sims. And granted, they were still following a relatively profitable trend for its time but the creative freedom a 3D platformer allows for a studio is usually a world's difference compared to a racing/sport game or a casino sim.
This game is as edgy as a plastic spoon. Video game designers really need to learn the difference between "dark and edgy" and "mature and methodical." Great review as always, looking forward to the eventual Rayman retrospective.
I have not seen many people who know of this game on youtube. I actually came across this because of PB gamer °-°. but I'm gonna subscribe just because you acknowledged one of my favorite game's existence ;)
I agree with everything. And the final boss battle took me almost 1 day and half (give or take) to finally finish the game. It's probably the hardest boss I've ever played. You have to get in a ninja-like mindset, zone out everything around you and just do a perfect run. It's PUNISHING, but once you beat him... you feel like you can fly.
I've been searching for this game for years after patrolling your videos and hearing you make a comment about it in your vex the voodoo doll video I found it. Thanks dude.
I unironically love Vexx. Timbervale is almost identical to Bob-omb Battlefield in design, and the music is actually enjoyable for me. Acclaim made some good games that I remember fondly, and still can enjoy (such as Turok Evolution and the aforementioned Vexx). Also: for the second sumo match and the mummy, I noticed you were not utilizing the long jump much at all. It is the ONLY way to beat them, pretty much, They're pretty easy to chain. It took me about 6 or 7 tries on the sumo round 2. Oh, wait. PS2 version. Ouch. Gamecube version was what I played. It loaded decently.
Oh my gosh, I love this game! I bought it for my 360 but I upgraded to a One and gave my 360 away. I gave Vexx away as well since I couldnt play it on the one. I really wish they would make it BC but if that ever happens it's going to take a very long time unfortunately
This game has have plenty of problems, so it's an... alright experience, as you said. Although, as an 11yo in 2004 I thought it was the greatest thing ever. Kidz huh. When I was around 19 though I finally beat it, and Dark Yabu was *_indeed_* as hard as you said here Nitro. Believe it or not however, his last phase is _even _*_harder_* . The Gamecube version (the one I own) has shorter load times. I do wish you beat him though, as the ending may be short, but it's badassery (yes, even with the edge and Reah's crappy voice acting) bumps up the rating at least a _little_ bit. Also, the story is _a lot_ more in depth in Reah's diary logs, (which you listen to her read), as well as a small comic drawn by the character artist manu1 on Deviant Art. And, I feel like the edge is a good thing, especially since it's not overkill. It's a wonderful change from the upbeat atmosphere and designs seemingly _required_ for Platformers. As is the combat. The beating-the-hell-outta-your-enemy combat is again a much welcome change to 1 or 2 hits. Even more so because it's mostly optional. Multi-hit combat adds an extra bit of challenge to Vexx (and any Platformers that attempt this), for those who want it. A remake is _definitely_ in order, and loooonngg overdue. Maybe as an older, long-haired Vexx fighting his way out of the Shadow realm? Or, adding that kind of transformation to his Rage gauge, instead of shooting blue stuff? Or even enhancing his abilities, and granting him ones he doesn't otherwise.
When you mentioned the combat I remembered of a platformer I believe nailed it pretty well. The TMNT: return game, also from the PS2. In that game, combat and platformimg were completely separated, so it didn’t stall the platformer segments, and also, *it was good* .
Hey, the back of wario land shake it has a similar phrase to vexx. "Forget the princess, save the money!". Fun to see how changing the tone of a tagline can make it from edgy to funny
I think that Acclaim just went from the wrong ambiance. They tried the edginess, but Vexx has a more "epic adventure" feeling to me. Just listen to the main theme. 🤔
6:41 The graphics are much better on the Xbox and Gamecube versions as they run at a much faster framerate, have more special effects to them, and in the Xbox version, has some fancy bumpmapping on the textures. The Gamecube obvoiusly couldn't handle bumpmapping and had limited space on such a tiny disc, so Acclaim applied some decent workarounds to get it running at a respectable framerate, and at the very least, be as easy on the eyes as possible, such as prerendering the bumpmapped textures and applying them as the default texures, and making the rocks in the level backgrounds and the fire effects on the grimkins' heads sprites. There really is no excuse as to why the PS2 version is such a miserable port. It has the worst textures of the three, has constant framerate slowdown, is missing many of the elemental effects (i.e. the ripple effects and water drops on the screen whilst underwater, the fire on the grimkins' heads), and is too damn dark, thus necessitating the brightness on the screen being cranked up. Trust me, the Xbox version makes for a MUCH smoother experience with the Gamecube version being a decent alternative.
I remember playing this game on my older cousin's original xbox, it was a really fun game to play because I was a kid. Years later, I bought it for the PS2 and played it as an adult. Since I am a completionist, I went to do the challenge of 100% completing this game. I remember that most of the hearts gave a challenge, which I enjoyed, but the stage that made me rage so much was the final stage. Imagine doing the last stage while going from one end of the level to the other end to get all the 100 orbs. I did not have a fun time. I didn't have fun either when I rage so much that my roommates asked what was wrong when the final boss killed me. I was able to 100% complete this game, but the final boss, it made me rage much. It was a fun game, but the difficulty spikes near the end of the game.
One of the most appropriately named games I've ever played. It's up there on my rage quit list. I was just a kid, and I probably sucked but good grief was Vexx a pain to play.
Even though it's 2021 this is still one of my favorite games. Maybe because it's tied so much into my childhood, but as a kid I really enjoyed it. I can't say that the game sucks, but the game certainly had some seriously difficult for no reason areas. Need I mention the room with the breakable blocks which you needed to break very precisely in order to get to the top and get a heart? I bet you I wouldn't be able to get through that room to this day. I really didn't have nearly the same issue with the bosses. The sumo was as far as I remember, mildly annoying but nothing too terribly difficult. Don't remember much about the mummy, and Yabu wasn't too crazy to deal with his first phase. His second phase was a little challenging timing wise with that single ground pound attack, but otherwise everything else was pretty simple, especially his third phase which is basically a gimme aside from the cheap shot he might be able to pull off at the very end. As relatively meaningless as the ending cutscene is from an overall story point of view, I still cant help but enjoy it. Also this game might have been singlehandedly responsible for really sparking up my imagination into what it is today. It merely gave it the spark, but left nothing in terms of itself to skew my imagination. Though I did think the talons were the coolest things in the game. There are more combos btw. There is a four hit hesitation combo. Wait half a second after the second hit and you will do this charge up ground aoe attack followed by an uppercut on the fourth attack. There's also this crazy ultra combo rage attack that I haven't figured out how to trigger on purpose, but goes as far as you want to a point. Also at night the enemies get tougher by about 50% or so and do more damage. It's not only a way to do those sundial portals, but also a way to not deal with night time enemies if you find it in time. It is a very good game not because it is an objectively good game. It of course has tons of flaws, but to me, it is an all time favorite because it had quite an impact on me while I was young.
It's nowhere close to being the best platformer out there, but it does have a lot of heart.
+GamingTheSystems I see what you did there.
Why did you sa- OH I GET IT
Ayy Lmao.
GamingTheSystems
#BadPunz
Not sure why, but as a kid, i always wanted or thought it would be a dope cross over with Rayman 2. Since you know, enslavement theme. That and also with Kya.
BEFORE YOU COMMENT SAYING I CALLED HIM GEX, 15:36
NitroRad But wait, I think you called him Gex there...
+NitroRad do you like skylanders?
+NitroRad *IT'S TAIL TIME*
ok
+ThePreciseClimber 4:16
"The talons bound to him for an eternity."
No wonder he's so angry.
Poor guy can't beat off, ever.
Or wipe himself after using the bathroom.
@@Abyssal86 both of these are fucking sad
Or scratch any itches he may have
Or pick his nose.
Actually, if the player doesn't do anything, Vexx would sometimes scratch his inner ears, so pretty sure he knows what he's doing.
"changing the time of day does nothing!"
it makes enemies stronger.
OmegaChase1002 I Agree and I like it but it’s very minor they could have made the time of day change constantly so that it became a threat rather than someone like me just changing it to day
So, basically Dead Rising logic.
@@JoakimOtamaa but not better
@@JoakimOtamaa youre really gonna sit here and tell me the day and night transitions of simons quest werent annoying.
I almost bought the rights to Vexx a few years ago, wish I did now, but didn't have the money back then :(
I was pretty close to buying the rights to Blinx a couple of months back
Wow, that's cool.
where do u check for stuff like that?
mikallink Craigslist haha
I don't get it. How are you everywhere? You are literally the only RUclipsr I am subscribed to that I see in the comment section of videos repeatedly. I didn't even get to this from a recommended video or anything. I searched for it and yet here you are again. How very strange. Perhaps we think alike?
I'm pretty surprised there was no mention of the world and atmosphere. It isn't the most amazing I've ever seen, but some areas are pretty breathtaking in just pure, wondrous atmosphere
He shat on that because it's "edgy"... he also said that the last area was un fair hard, so yea...
@@kristijanpetrovski2576 It _is_ pretty edgy, but not _too_ much. I beat the game years ago, and well, let's say he's not exactly exaggerating.
It takes almost pixel perfect movements to beat him.
@@KaminariHouse Is any media depicting anger edgy? No. Edgy is negative term used by millennials.
And I also beat this game, and still own it. Maximo, is way harder. Some parts of Jack were also harder (unlimited continues make it simpler). It's not un fair. It's not pixel perfect requirement. Especially not by the time you make it to the last level.
@@kristijanpetrovski2576 I don't understand what people's deal about a cartoony platformer from the PS2 era being edgy. Nobody complained about that when jak 2 did it, so what's this game's excuse?
@@LicensedGuitarist2000 Do you mean, why is the youtube video crapping on it for being "edgy"?
If that's the question, I don't know why, it might be because it is just an easy target, to crap on a theme that is not liked nowadays. It's not even very story or cutscene heavy but what ever, it was a great platformer...
Apparently there's some kind of "super mode" that I found entirely by accident just recently - you can activate by pressing R and Jump (that's what the meter in the top right is for) that makes you stronger and lets you throw projectiles until it runs out.
This was my childhood. Have been playing it all the time. Beating it and replaying it over and over again since about 2006 and am currently replaying it now. So I still think it's the best.
What's funny is that during the in-game cutscene right before the final boss where Vexx confronts Yabu, most of the time he'll just grunt and then point his hand at him and beckon him to fight, but sometimes an alternate version of this scene will play out where instead, Vexx just straight up flips him off, completely uncensored.
To this day, I still have no idea what triggers this alternate version of the scene to play out. Like I don't know if there's a random chance of this happening or if you have to do something to trigger it, but it has happened twice while I've been playing the game. I've never seen any reference to this even existing anywhere online, and I wish I could catch this on video to show proof.
There's a Speedrun here on RUclips where one of the Devs chats with the runner. He mentioned that it has 1 in a 1000 chance of flipping off Yabu lol it actually happened the first time I fought him and never again, I thought I was insane.
I just discovered this channel and I'm pretty happy to finally see someone talking about real underated and lesser known games!
I tested on this game at Acclaim NY and I am sorry that you felt the need to play it. It was terrible... oh and completely stripped down to meet the deadlines. Originally you could climb everything, when they took that out just near completion it made all those mistakes stand out, like the platforms to go down but not back up, you were supposed to climb out.
There was also more areas as well.
That actually explains a whole of things I always wondered about. It would be cool if you could do some sort of video or essay or something about cut content.
@@nekomaru856 Hopefully Throwback Entertainment do the game justice (They own the ip now), if they decide to make a remake sometime in the future. Hopefully they survive long enough to do that, so I bookmarked their webpage. I enjoyed the game and didn't find it edgy, sure it was hard sometimes, and it was light on story so I could just focus on the platforming.
Having replayed this game quite recently and 100% completing it, I must say, I enjoyed it a hell of a lot more than I thought I would. I can't deny the flaws about the game you mentioned, as they are very valid arguments and could have been taken into account if a sequel was released.
I found the controls to work very brilliantly. They were tight and responsive, and it was very easy to judge long-distance jumps and such. I feel as though the level design is very creative and imaginative, and just one look alone makes me want to explore the mysteries surrounding it and obtain every Wraith Heart. Most of the cheap sections can be bypassed if you know what you're doing, and this results in satisfying shortcuts and stunts that can easily be pulled off with enough confidence. The flip-kick, like you mentioned, offers an amazing unintentional double-jump to help correct a difficult landing, and the air-to-ground force attack can break Vexx's fall on many occasions. This, coupled with the mostly 60FPS framerate, allows for a very tight and precise platforming experience. For me at least, when I want Vexx to make a specific jump, I can clearly visualise it and make it happen the moment the thought crosses my mind. Baring in mind I played this on the Gamecube though, so I didn't have the same problems as the PS2 version thanks to more comfortable controllers and better hardware to shorten the loading times.
The game is pretty difficult, and some of the spikes in difficulty are a bit inconsistant, but for the most part, I didn't really have any problems. I enjoyed the challenge the moment I got used to Vexx's controls, as I sometimes veered off the beaten path and tried solving things my way if it was at all possible (e.g. in the Citadel of Shadows, I got to the first heart by taking one of the easier high paths toward a different heart, only to leap off that route toward the end of the route I was supposed to take). This got me thinking; Maybe this game is made purely for the hardcore platformers. The challenge seemed fair enough to me, with a few annoying exceptions, and it was because of the variety in level design and missions that there never was a dull moment for me. I was always being challenged, and as a result, every achievement I accomplished made me want to recapture that glory.
For the most part, I didn't actually mind the combat of the game either. I felt as though it added to the experience, and since every enemy drops health pick-ups, it added more incentive to defeat them. I felt it works best with more than half of the enemy roster, though I can definitely see frustrations rising with the armed enemies with axes and such, as they are just a ball-ache to fight and probably not worth the time to do so. All in all though, if they built the combat around platforming like they did in the first half of the game for an entire game, it'd be even better.
While the game is pretty edgy to a sometimes baffling degree, it does allow for the dark and warped worlds to be that much more interesting to explore. Half of the fun for me was just travelling and platforming my way across each world. It can be straining to do over and over again on some of them. Citadel of Shadows is a bit bullshit when you have to collect 100 of those soul thingies, but I often found myself with a lot more of them than I thought I would, so getting them all to form a heart was never an issue for me.
As for the bosses, well I'm not sure I entirely agree there either, mainly for the first 2. The sumo guy is pretty easy to defeat the first time around, and even the second time once you've learned how to dodge his attacks and what ques to look for. The Mummy bossfight is ridiculously easy when you realise all you have to do is avoid his rolling attacks, too. But Dark Yabu? I will not argue with you on that one. He's not impossible to beat, as I did so on the second day of my play-through after getting the last heart. but god damn, just getting to the second phase is bad enough. Most of his attacks hit without warning even when you know the pattern, and the process of flipping him over to attack his weapoint would have been appreciated and admired if it weren't for the bullshit army of Shadow Wraiths you have to defeat while avoiding meteors, and the shockwave attacks that he sneaks in during the second phase. Once you finally do get past that part though, the fight is much easier, and kind of clever. You defeat one more wave of Wraiths and dodge a few meteors before some of them suddenly home in on you. I realised at that point I couldn't avoid them, and when Vexx's talons started glowing, I knew I had to punch them back at him Ganondorf-style. Despite how incredibly unfair and unbalanced the final boss was up until that point, I could almost forgive it for the satisfaction I got from lanching the final meteor toward Yabu and finishing him off.
All in all, I definitely understand your point of view on the game's shortcomings, but I was surprised at just how much more I enjoyed the game and got more value out of it than I initially thought I would going back to it all these years. Regardless though, your video made me want to replay it in the end, and thanks to that, I wouldn't have had a blast with it like I did! The flaws you mentioned like balanced difficulty and better bosses with wind-up animations to give the player a better chance to react and attack, could all be very substantial improvements in a sequel, though I can only dream at this point because of Acclaims successful attempts at company suicide. Maybe someone could buy the rights and make a kickstarter project or something like that?
Bufudyne that was very long for a RUclips comment
Can you state with any accuracy if the Gamecube version cuts any content from the other version due to disc space?
Did you expect anyone to read that,or...?
I felt like this comment was your way of playing pretend game reviewer/critic. First most people won't read a comment that long on a video especially not the creator and secondly almost everything you said was a revised version of what he said besides a few points you disagreed on. Point being, stick to your day job.
"I felt like this comment was your way of playing pretend game reviewer/critic." - You're assuming something that is unfounded to conclude AND cutting him down for it
"First most people won't read a comment that long on a video especially not the creator" - You responded to a post that's 2 years old and has been read and upvoted by 45 randoms - and while we don't know Nitro Rad's opinion on long posts, it's not unreasonable to say that he may potentially appreciate them more than 45 randoms do
"secondly almost everything you said was a revised version of what he said besides a few points you disagreed on" ... his entire comment was written as a reply to the video, not a separate critique - not sure if you read his whole post
"Point being, stick to your day job." - Seeing as the poster wasn't trying to play pretend critic and was simply responding to the video (which requires bringing up already-made-points), it feels pretty safe to say that he wasn't being stupid and that you're just being mean.
"It makes Gex do an uppercut." Looks like another 3d platformer left some influence. ;)
"Airborn kick" woops
I mention during the ending slate that I said that.
NitroRad lol still, well made videos man.
i just want to say that Vexx changed my life.
Did it awaken your goth side?
same
I really need that EDGY Clip as a seperate Webm
E D G Y
It's called Vex because it gives you SO MUCH VEXATION!!!
I played this on GameCube and I could be remembering wrong but I thought it looked a bit more vibrant on that system. Dunno if it plays better.
4:14 when he called Vexx "Gex" I completely lost it, hilarious. Idk why that tickled me so much.
This game was actually quite memorable to me as a teen. I enjoyed the soundtrack a lot and the game always felt a tad bit creepy..which I think was my draw to it at the time lol
Vexx is one of my favorite games of all time and I'm really happy to see it finally get some love. Really wish it didn't get rushed the way it did, but weh, still a fun game.
There are great platformers where enemies requires more than one hit, like Megaman series and Ratchet & Clank series. Also, I remember some others that are great but are half-platforming and half-combat, like the Maximo series, the Prince of Persia: SOT trilogy or Guacamelee
Anyone get really disappointed when the sundial was revealed to be ultimately useless? It's a cool idea! Do something with it!
One commenter said that it makes enemies stronger, but apparently it’s a negligible difference.
I have had this game since i was a child. So even though it has many problems it is still a very special game to me. Alot of the maps are really really cool in my opinion and the music is SO GOOD. Some of the best game music i have ever heard honestly. Sadly the company was going bankrupt so they couldn't make as good of a game as they wanted, but it was a very good try.
i love how many of your reviews focus on the ps2 xbox and gamecube era (my personal favorite game era) whats your favorite to least favorite of the systems if you dont mind me asking
Brady Thomas least: ps3 xbox 360 xbox one wii u
favorite: ps2 ps4 wii gamecube xbox (the original/ only real one) gba ds psp ps vita Sega genesis
He said Ps2 XB and GC era, not all consoles.
@alex magee gameplay
I love how he never asked _you_ what your favorites were, yet you imposed your opinions on him anyway. lol
@@LOOMING_WRAITH_OF_BAD_OMEN I mean, if you put a comment on youtube people are bound to reply at some point even if it has nothing to do with them
The atmosphere at night with the ring of the bells, the somber music, and the occasional dead people talking in the background, was simply the most amazing piece of work I'd seen back then, and still tops today
"The talons bound themselves to him FOREVER!" man i'm crying!!
Saw the Diamond Dogs jacket in the thumbnail. Had to comment about how cool it was. ✌
honestly mindblown by the fact that i have been apparently watching 8-10 year old videos this whole time. they really hold up. great job. they are really edging me closer into getting back into video games
Actually, Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations don't have that health bar intact with enemies. They was did away when Sonic Colors was released. :/
When did I say Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations had a health bar for enemies
+NitroRad You said in ALOT of modern sonic games after Sonic heroes had a health bar on the enemies. But if you were meaning from Sonic heroes to Sonic unleashed, then please forgive my ignorance. :p
"A lot" doesn't mean all.
Yeah.
It also doesn't mean two.
You are a man who truly loves Ty the Tasmanian tiger.
Ahh Vexx. Man I loved the themes and worlds in this one. And a really challenging last boss crowns the game.
And the music... I still listen to Vexx's ost, I really like it.
+Suomu Not many people seem to appreciate those aspects, so I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Like the quality to glad im not the only one as well
Same, I love the soundtrack and theme of the game!
Wikipedia explains how Acclaim Austin went from Turok to Vexx. They're a renamed Iguana Entertainment, the devs that made the Aero the Acro-bat games on 16-bit systems.
This game was fucking badass, and the platforming super unforgiving but satisfying once done right. Also the atmosphere of this game was top tier. Definitely a great game. Super fucking hardcore.
I played Vexx as a kid and looked up the game for a little nostalgia trip. And hey! Your channel is rad! You put a lot of effort into this video and I think you deserve more views dude!
The sumo wrestler matches and shadow? Clones mini games....takes me back to childhood days of renting games...🤤😢😢 Nostalgia..
The jump kick gave me Sonic Lost World flashbacks, when you double jump, you will do a little back flip.
you think THIS is edgy? you haven't played Shadow the Hedgehog.
Alexander Potec is that klonoa 2 klonoa?
You think THOSE are edgy!? You gotta play DmC: Devil May Cry.
Lugbzurg *gets “fuck you” flashbacks*
The game cut me with all that edge.
@@lugbzurg8987: actually don't it's trash
I would probably have never heard of Vexx if it wasn't for it being stood alone on an empty shelf for Gamecube. Glad you gave one of my favourite childhood platformers a balanced review.
7:53 Nice naruto running animation.
NitroRad's review on Vexx. Much nostalgia.
I guess you'd say that the final boss was rather VEXXing.
Great review! So much nostalgia. But you were wrong about the sun dial mechanic. The night made all the enemies more dangerous and harder to kill, and time does change without the need of you using the dial. Finally i THINK there were other hearts that you could get only at night time or day time (other than the portals)
Vexx is God Tier. Weird I played the version on the original xbox and I never remember seeing that goofy cutscene at the start. I can see how watching that would ruin the vibe of this game. This game has such a mysterious aura to it based on the deserted empty worlds you enter, the soundtrack, and the riddles you are required to solve for each heart. Super challenging and underrated
This was the first game i ever played on xbox it came with it wow so long ago
This was one of the first games I got as a kid when I first got the ps2 some crazy memories
you forgot that the enemies turn dark if you are at night
Always a bit bittersweet seeing that one mote of creative burst in a studio's history. These 3D/mascot platformers from the 90s and 2000s were often the only chance these studios had at having some measure of creative freedom away from safer projects like sports, racing and casino sims.
And granted, they were still following a relatively profitable trend for its time but the creative freedom a 3D platformer allows for a studio is usually a world's difference compared to a racing/sport game or a casino sim.
Sundial also changes the health levels of the enemies! That's about it, I think.
This game is as edgy as a plastic spoon. Video game designers really need to learn the difference between "dark and edgy" and "mature and methodical." Great review as always, looking forward to the eventual Rayman retrospective.
I have not seen many people who know of this game on youtube. I actually came across this because of PB gamer °-°. but I'm gonna subscribe just because you acknowledged one of my favorite game's existence ;)
I agree with everything. And the final boss battle took me almost 1 day and half (give or take) to finally finish the game. It's probably the hardest boss I've ever played. You have to get in a ninja-like mindset, zone out everything around you and just do a perfect run. It's PUNISHING, but once you beat him... you feel like you can fly.
I remember playing this like 8 years ago on xbox and i remember the graphics looking alot better along with pretty short loading time.
i was able to beat this game on the Xbox as a child.
iirc the trick against the final boss is just to be in the air as much and long as possible.
I also beat it as kid, it was tough as hell but manageable.
Honestly this game is very underrated. It was an awesome game, maybe its just because of nostalgia idk...
I've been searching for this game for years after patrolling your videos and hearing you make a comment about it in your vex the voodoo doll video I found it. Thanks dude.
I unironically love Vexx. Timbervale is almost identical to Bob-omb Battlefield in design, and the music is actually enjoyable for me. Acclaim made some good games that I remember fondly, and still can enjoy (such as Turok Evolution and the aforementioned Vexx).
Also: for the second sumo match and the mummy, I noticed you were not utilizing the long jump much at all. It is the ONLY way to beat them, pretty much, They're pretty easy to chain. It took me about 6 or 7 tries on the sumo round 2.
Oh, wait. PS2 version. Ouch. Gamecube version was what I played. It loaded decently.
Oh my gosh, I love this game! I bought it for my 360 but I upgraded to a One and gave my 360 away. I gave Vexx away as well since I couldnt play it on the one. I really wish they would make it BC but if that ever happens it's going to take a very long time unfortunately
This game has have plenty of problems, so it's an... alright experience, as you said. Although, as an 11yo in 2004 I thought it was the greatest thing ever. Kidz huh.
When I was around 19 though I finally beat it, and Dark Yabu was *_indeed_* as hard as you said here Nitro. Believe it or not however, his last phase is _even _*_harder_* .
The Gamecube version (the one I own) has shorter load times.
I do wish you beat him though, as the ending may be short, but it's badassery (yes, even with the edge and Reah's crappy voice acting) bumps up the rating at least a _little_ bit.
Also, the story is _a lot_ more in depth in Reah's diary logs, (which you listen to her read), as well as a small comic drawn by the character artist manu1 on Deviant Art.
And, I feel like the edge is a good thing, especially since it's not overkill. It's a wonderful change from the upbeat atmosphere and designs seemingly _required_ for Platformers.
As is the combat. The beating-the-hell-outta-your-enemy combat is again a much welcome change to 1 or 2 hits. Even more so because it's mostly optional.
Multi-hit combat adds an extra bit of challenge to Vexx (and any Platformers that attempt this), for those who want it.
A remake is _definitely_ in order, and loooonngg overdue.
Maybe as an older, long-haired Vexx fighting his way out of the Shadow realm? Or, adding that kind of transformation to his Rage gauge, instead of shooting blue stuff?
Or even enhancing his abilities, and granting him ones he doesn't otherwise.
Man I wanted this game so badly as a kid. I need to pick it up at some point.
The hub looks like Crash 3's.
4:16 GEX Has completely made nitro go insane
One of your best! I love when you focus on obscure titles like this.
4:16 Gex?
I was thinking the same thing gex is the lizard game
vexx is one of my favorite 3d platformers! so hard and fun! a real GEM!
When you mentioned the combat I remembered of a platformer I believe nailed it pretty well.
The TMNT: return game, also from the PS2. In that game, combat and platformimg were completely separated, so it didn’t stall the platformer segments, and also, *it was good* .
I remember a guy I watched got so mad at a final boss he just rage quited and showed himself editing in the ending and went " There I beat it".
this is a classic in my childhood
Pretty cool to find a channel talking about all the old second rate games i used to either have or seen in my old magazines. Subbed bro
Who else came back to this review after SomeCallmejohnny reviewed this game?
Fire armor that makes you invincible? Sounds like the Inferno crates from "Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal" to me.
I've always thought Vexx looked like an edgy Dark Crystal character.
Hey, the back of wario land shake it has a similar phrase to vexx. "Forget the princess, save the money!". Fun to see how changing the tone of a tagline can make it from edgy to funny
I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON WHO PLAYED THIS AS A KID
Honestly this game used to scare the fuck out of me as a kid
7:06 the developers must've been told "add plenty of goth points" and they responded by taking inspiration from The Telltale Heart.
Thank you so much for reviewing this game! I actually remembered playing this game as a kid.
I think that Acclaim just went from the wrong ambiance. They tried the edginess, but Vexx has a more "epic adventure" feeling to me. Just listen to the main theme. 🤔
I happened to have Vexx, too.
4:16 " This will make GEX do little backflip kick" lol
6:41 The graphics are much better on the Xbox and Gamecube versions as they run at a much faster framerate, have more special effects to them, and in the Xbox version, has some fancy bumpmapping on the textures.
The Gamecube obvoiusly couldn't handle bumpmapping and had limited space on such a tiny disc, so Acclaim applied some decent workarounds to get it running at a respectable framerate, and at the very least, be as easy on the eyes as possible, such as prerendering the bumpmapped textures and applying them as the default texures, and making the rocks in the level backgrounds and the fire effects on the grimkins' heads sprites.
There really is no excuse as to why the PS2 version is such a miserable port. It has the worst textures of the three, has constant framerate slowdown, is missing many of the elemental effects (i.e. the ripple effects and water drops on the screen whilst underwater, the fire on the grimkins' heads), and is too damn dark, thus necessitating the brightness on the screen being cranked up.
Trust me, the Xbox version makes for a MUCH smoother experience with the Gamecube version being a decent alternative.
I've 100%ed this. It took me about two weeks nonstop. I don't dislike it. I don't love it either. But I wish it had a sequel
+LombaxOttsel Really? It only took me two days. Did you play the PS2 version? I've heard that port's the worst one to work with.
I played the Gamecube version
I know anytime I find one of these "obscure" games for the PS2 I can always expect to find a review from NitroRad! That being said STOP HATING ON TY
“The talons bound themselves to Vexx forever.”
How’s he gonna wipe his ass with those things stuck to him?!
I remember playing this game on my older cousin's original xbox, it was a really fun game to play because I was a kid. Years later, I bought it for the PS2 and played it as an adult. Since I am a completionist, I went to do the challenge of 100% completing this game. I remember that most of the hearts gave a challenge, which I enjoyed, but the stage that made me rage so much was the final stage. Imagine doing the last stage while going from one end of the level to the other end to get all the 100 orbs. I did not have a fun time. I didn't have fun either when I rage so much that my roommates asked what was wrong when the final boss killed me. I was able to 100% complete this game, but the final boss, it made me rage much. It was a fun game, but the difficulty spikes near the end of the game.
One of the most appropriately named games I've ever played. It's up there on my rage quit list. I was just a kid, and I probably sucked but good grief was Vexx a pain to play.
7:24 i can't stop laughing
EDGYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone else notice he called vexx gex when he was talking about the combat?
you now remember the ice level
Jsi jeden z nejšikulinkaťoulinkatějších šikulků. :))
Towards the end of the video, I recommend that you take a couple of deep breaths.
This platform game looks really fun to play, I want to try it someday! Great review, NitroRad and keep up the good work! Cheers from Portugal.
BINGO BOINGO! A shot at TY the Tasmanian Tiger! Can't have a Nitro Rad video without one. It's like chips without dip, or peanut butter without jelly.
Even though it's 2021 this is still one of my favorite games. Maybe because it's tied so much into my childhood, but as a kid I really enjoyed it. I can't say that the game sucks, but the game certainly had some seriously difficult for no reason areas. Need I mention the room with the breakable blocks which you needed to break very precisely in order to get to the top and get a heart? I bet you I wouldn't be able to get through that room to this day. I really didn't have nearly the same issue with the bosses. The sumo was as far as I remember, mildly annoying but nothing too terribly difficult. Don't remember much about the mummy, and Yabu wasn't too crazy to deal with his first phase. His second phase was a little challenging timing wise with that single ground pound attack, but otherwise everything else was pretty simple, especially his third phase which is basically a gimme aside from the cheap shot he might be able to pull off at the very end. As relatively meaningless as the ending cutscene is from an overall story point of view, I still cant help but enjoy it. Also this game might have been singlehandedly responsible for really sparking up my imagination into what it is today. It merely gave it the spark, but left nothing in terms of itself to skew my imagination. Though I did think the talons were the coolest things in the game. There are more combos btw. There is a four hit hesitation combo. Wait half a second after the second hit and you will do this charge up ground aoe attack followed by an uppercut on the fourth attack. There's also this crazy ultra combo rage attack that I haven't figured out how to trigger on purpose, but goes as far as you want to a point. Also at night the enemies get tougher by about 50% or so and do more damage. It's not only a way to do those sundial portals, but also a way to not deal with night time enemies if you find it in time. It is a very good game not because it is an objectively good game. It of course has tons of flaws, but to me, it is an all time favorite because it had quite an impact on me while I was young.
The only issue I had playing Vexx was the camera control is total ass. It keeps getting blocked by geometry
I recently rented this from Gamefly but I couldn't sit through it. I sent it back.
Will you review the Jak and Daxter games?
The sundial works, at night the enemies are stronger and more aggressive
4:18 ‘Gex’. Yeah that tracks.
the trick too the final boss is too never not be jumping just jump kick the whole time