Croc: Legend of the Gobbos PS5 – A Nostalgic Platformer Remastered for a New Generation!

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In today’s video game world, remasters come in all forms, but some truly deserve another moment in the spotlight over others. After a long break, Argonaut Games is reintroducing one of its most cherished titles that we believe is more than worthy of a resurgence. The beloved platformer Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, initially released on PS1 during an era when 3D gaming was still novel, may exhibit signs of age, but it’s hard not to be captivated by this remastered gem.

Stepping into this game in 2025 feels like a wave of nostalgia for anyone who cherishes memories of Croc. The first sight that greets you is gobbos inflating the Argonaut Games logo on a large CRT TV, and when you hear the title theme on the main menu, it’s as if all those memories flood back. What’s so delightful about this remaster is how true to the original experience it remains; you can tell that at its core, it’s essentially the same game with the same code, but with modern enhancements and a fresh new look.

Immediately upon entering the game, loading is swift, maintaining the vibrant, artistic aesthetic of the original version with noticeable enhancements, particularly in character design. Multiple graphical settings enable you to apply various filters and visual adjustments; these modifications are useful, though we opted for the default appearance of the remaster as it offers exceptional clarity.

Regarding gameplay, you can navigate Croc using traditional tank controls on the d-pad or choose a more fluid, contemporary experience with analog control on the left joystick. Both options are available at all times. Interestingly, since the game was initially conceived around tank controls, certain situations might benefit from the d-pad more. However, most players will find smooth analog control to be more enjoyable, and it has been implemented effectively, enabling you to race through levels faster than with the older scheme.

The game, compared to modern standards, has basic mechanics, featuring brief stages, adversaries offering minimal challenge, and rather mild hurdles. Despite its ease of play, even with advanced controls, it retains a classic feel due to constraints like limited lives and restarting a level upon failure (Game Over). While newbies and seasoned players might find it easy, the game’s endearing appeal ensures you’ll be grinning during your progress.

In each level, you’ll come across six goblin-like creatures to locate, along with colorful crystals that unlock a bonus room close to the level exit. The layout of the levels is distinctly different; they are divided by many doorways and involve solving simple puzzles where you need to find an item in one room and bring it back to another. Overall, it’s a game with a mostly linear progression, but there are instances where you retrace your steps or discover cleverly hidden secrets, showcasing inventive concepts for its time.

Croc possesses an impressive repertoire of moves, including a powerful jump, a move to break open boxes with his butt, a 180-degree spin, and a tail spin attack, in addition to his ability to scale certain surfaces, traverse monkey bars, and swim submerged. The game frequently utilizes many of these actions, ensuring the platforming remains engaging and well-paced.

On top of maintaining variety, distinct themes for each island offer fresh challenges by introducing novel adversaries and hurdles to overcome. One aspect that stands out in Croc is the engaging boss fights, which while straightforward to conquer, boast creative designs such as a boxing ladybug or a giant fish wielding a trident.

In essence, the remastered version of this game exudes an adorable charm throughout, and its visuals and gameplay have been significantly improved. While some may find it somewhat basic, we appreciated its straightforwardness and found it to be a calming experience.

Transforming this section within the package is the extensive Crocipedia museum area, brimming with numerous attractions for exploration. The collection encompasses a developing soundtrack, vintage photographs, design blueprints, character sketches, and animation trials, as well as numerous interviews with both past and present staff members. This treasure trove is ideal for enthusiasts of the original game or history buffs of gaming in general, offering an abundance of intriguing content that significantly enhances the remastered experience.

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2025-04-02 10:06