Croc: Legend of the Gobbos Remastered brings back a beloved and cute 3D platformer from the late 90s, offering a mix of nostalgia and modern refinements. The game follows Croc, an adventurous young crocodile, as he embarks on a journey to rescue the Gobbos from the villainous Baron Dante and his minions. This remaster retains the charm of the original while enhancing the experience with updated visuals, smoother controls, and additional content. While it successfully revives a classic for longtime fans, some aspects of the game still feel stuck in the past and it doesn’t rise to the level of Spyro’s remastered adventures.
One of the most notable improvements in this remaster is the visual overhaul. The environments are more detailed and colorful, bringing new life to the game’s diverse worlds, from icy landscapes to volcanic caverns. Character models have also been refined, giving Croc and his foes a more polished look while staying true to their original designs. However, some textures and animations show their age, reminding players that this is ultimately a remaster rather than a full remake.
The biggest gameplay upgrade comes in the form of the controls. The original’s tank-style movement has been replaced with a more fluid and modern analog control scheme, making Croc’s platforming much more responsive. This change addresses one of the biggest frustrations of the original release, allowing for more precise jumps and better movement overall. That said, some of the level design still feels rigid and occasionally struggles to match the smoother controls, especially in sections requiring tight platforming.
Another highlight is the inclusion of the Crocipedia, a new feature that serves as a behind-the-scenes look at the game’s development. It provides insights into Croc’s origins and concept art, making it a great addition for fans who want to dive deeper into the history of the franchise. This extra content helps flesh out the remaster beyond just graphical and gameplay improvements, adding a layer of appreciation for the game’s legacy.
Despite these improvements, some design choices remain a point of contention. The camera system, while slightly refined, can still be cumbersome in certain areas, occasionally making platforming sections more frustrating than they need to be. Additionally, while the game’s charm remains intact, the straightforward level design and lack of modern platforming innovations might leave newcomers feeling underwhelmed compared to more recent genre entries – or even better examples from Croc’s own era.
Overall, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos Remastered succeeds in preserving the heart of the original while making meaningful improvements where it matters most. The enhanced visuals, smoother controls, and added content make it a worthy revisit for fans of the classic 3D platformer era. However, some lingering issues with the camera and level design prevent it from fully escaping the limitations of its time. For those with fond memories of Croc’s adventure, this remaster is a welcome return – but newcomers might find its old-school design a bit rough around the edges.
Score: 7.2/10
Press Play Media 