Vexx (Xbox) (U)

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Product Information

Product Description

Vexx is an original platform action title that allows players to assume the role of the title character as he embarks on a dark quest to seek vengeance on those who enslaved his people and murdered his grandfather. Armed with 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, Vexx embarks upon an heroic journey to confront the evil Dark Yabu, save his people, and avenge the death of his grandfather.

The game is spread over 18 huge levels spanning treetop canopy villages, mysterious caves, desert temples, underwater cities, deadly volcanoes, and more; each level's distinguishing landmark can be viewed from anywhere in the world in real-time. Day and night cycle with real-time lighting; night time changes the landscape and characters, with enemies becoming more aggressive and the environments more hostile. Hidden sundials allow players to change the time of day and gameplay, and hidden multi-player party games are unlocked as players progress through the single player world.

Ultra-responsive player controls react instantly to player inputs: gamers can cancel a move midway through and fire off extensive combo attacks. A free-climbing mode allows players to climb uneven surfaces and dangle beneath overhangs. Advanced environment mapping provides reflections, glows, and highlights on characters, and clothes, hair and trees respond dynamically to the environment. A highly flexible cinematic camera system, epic soundtrack and 3-D surround sound effects complete the package.

Review

While Acclaim obviously hopes to launch a new character into the video game pantheon with Vexx, it would be wrong to 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.

Playing as Vexx, you collect Wraith hearts. 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 and in 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 and play somewhere else. There are 81 hearts scattered throughout the game, but only 60 are required to fight Dark Yabu. The creatures in each world are easy to slaughter and only a nuisance if they attack at the wrong time or en masse. Those seeking more of a challenge can hop onto the sundial in each level and twist it from day to night. This not only produces cool graphical and musical effects, but brings out a meaner breed of creepy-crawly.