Remasters of all sizes and styles are commonplace within the present online game panorama, and albeit, some deserve the return to the limelight greater than others. Argonaut Video games, itself revived after a protracted hiatus, is bringing again considered one of its best-loved titles that we predict greater than earns its proper for a comeback. Croc: Legend of the Gobbos is a cult favorite PS1 platformer from a time when making 3D video games was nonetheless new, and whereas in some methods it reveals its age, it is tough to not be charmed by this remastered basic.
Hopping into this sport in 2025 is a nostalgic overload for anybody with fond recollections of Croc; the very first thing you see is the gobbos inflating the Argonaut Video games emblem, taking part in out on an enormous CRT tv. Particularly while you hear the title theme on the primary menu, all of it comes flooding again, and what’s so pretty about this remaster is simply how devoted to the unique expertise it’s; you possibly can actually inform that is primarily the identical sport with the identical code, solely with some mod-cons and a contemporary coat of paint.
Loading is instantaneous as you hop into the sport correct, which retains the colorful, stylised look of the unique with clear enhancements, particularly to character fashions. A number of graphical choices will let you apply varied filters and visible tweaks, that are appreciated, although we caught to the remaster’s default look as a result of it is so crisp.
As for the way it performs, you possibly can transfer Croc with both his basic tank controls on the d-pad, or go for a a lot smoother, trendy expertise with full analog management on the left stick. You need to use both of those always, and what’s fascinating is that, as a result of the sport was initially designed across the d-pad’s tank controls, there are some eventualities the place that is truly the higher choice. Clean analog management goes to really feel finest for many gamers, although, and it has been carried out nicely, permitting you to essentially velocity by ranges in a manner you possibly can’t with the previous scheme.
The sport may be very simplistic by in the present day’s requirements, with brief ranges, enemies posing little risk, and pretty tame obstacles. Simple although it might be, particularly utilizing the fashionable controls, that is nonetheless an old style expertise, which means restricted lives and beginning a degree over in case you do hit Sport Over. Newcomers and veteran followers alike would possibly breeze by, however once more, the sport’s inherent appeal will imply you are smiling whereas it occurs.
There are six gobbos to search out in every degree, in addition to particular colored crystals that open a bonus door close to a stage’s exit. The extent construction is sort of distinctive; they’re all segmented by quite a few doorways, with some easy puzzles requiring you to search out one thing in a single room and return to a different. It is broadly a really linear sport, however there are some examples of doubling again on your self or discovering well-hidden secrets and techniques that present some novel concepts for the time.
Croc himself has a strong transfer set, with a beneficiant leap, a butt-slam to open packing containers, a 180-degree flip, and a tail spin assault, to not point out the flexibility to climb sure surfaces, swing on monkey bars, and swim underwater. The sport makes common use of most of those, giving the platforming an excellent tempo.
Additionally serving to to maintain issues contemporary is completely different degree themes for every island, which introduce new enemies and obstacles to deal with. A spotlight of Croc for a lot of is the characterful boss fights, that are all fairly easy to defeat however have enjoyable designs, like a boxing ladybird or a big fish with a trident.
Total, the sport itself has numerous cutesy persona, and appears and performs higher than ever with this remaster’s additions. Its simplicity would possibly depart some a bit of chilly, however we discovered it to be refreshing and enjoyable.
Elevating the package deal is the Crocipedia, a surprisingly massive museum part with heaps to see and do. The soundtrack, work-in-progress music, previous pictures, design documentation, character mannequin sheets and animation exams, and many speaking head interviews with present and former workers is all right here. For followers of the unique, or simply followers of gaming historical past, there’s a lot to chew on right here, and it actually provides worth to the remaster.
Conclusion
Whereas the sport itself inevitably reveals its age with its simplistic design, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos stays an cute and enjoyable platformer on this remaster. The revamped visuals pop whereas staying true to its old fashioned look, and the analog management offers a a lot smoother method to play. The Crocipedia fleshes issues out, offering numerous element in regards to the making of this pioneering 3D title.
