If you are a fan of the previous
Gex games, then all I can say is, “It’s Tail Time!” The reptilian king of quotes is back on the case, this time braving the media dimension to rescue the alluring Agent Extra. Unfortunately, it seems that the name “Extra” was derived not from Marliece Andrada’s obvious bountiful assets, but rather from her rare and occasional “bit” part. Even though the video sequences were on Gex’s “watch,” they were not used in the middle of levels, but instead, only at the end of each successfully completed level. I was hoping that Marliece would have played a bigger (and more interactive) role... I was really hoping to see more of her.
As for the actual gameplay, Gex 3 provides the same fun and humor as the first two Gex games... with some added features. In Deep Cover Gecko, these features include a variety of new “themed” Gex “personas,” where you get to play in different levels, as well as additional characters which you can control in certain secret areas. These include Cuz, Gex’s cousin, which becomes playable if you find and rescue him from Rez and Rex, Gex’s (cute) prehistoric dragon ancestor (think Gon from Tekken). Gex also has a butler who helps out when you’re in a pinch. (He’s much more helpful than Lara Croft’s butler -- he actually shows up near difficult puzzles to give you useful clues about them. One neat feature (which is reminiscent of the Donkey Kong Country games on some OTHER console...) is the addition of “ridable” characters in certain levels -- everything from Humps (a camel) to Scales (a crocodile) to vehicles such as a snowboard and a tank. This game is full of fun features and funny phrases, but this time, Gex’s humor (at least in his exchanges with Agent Extra) have turned to that of an amorous schoolboy. And, as unlikely as it seems, Gex gets the girl in the end -- in a typical “James Bond” style.
