Revamped Retro Platformer Series Makes a Spectacular Return

Square Enix and Limited Run have officially announced the revival and modernization of the Gex Trilogy for current gaming platforms, utilizing the developer's exclusive game porting technology. Despite being out of the spotlight for quite some time, the Gex games were highly regarded as noteworthy 3D mascot platformers during their era, solidifying their significance in gaming history.

Although Square Enix filed a new Gex trademark nearly two years ago, it has taken some time for the project to gain momentum. It is important to note that the original Gex titles were developed by Crystal Dynamics, a studio renowned for its later achievements with Legacy of Kain and Tomb Raider. Consequently, Gex has been neglected until now.

Limited Run, in collaboration with Square Enix, is set to develop a method for playing all three original Gex games on contemporary platforms. This exciting news means that fans will have the opportunity to relive the adventures of Gex, Gex: Enter the Gecko, and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko without having to rely on emulation or similar methods. Employing their advanced Carbon Engine development tool, Limited Run will update the Gex franchise to align with current gaming preferences. Notably, the Carbon Engine has been successfully utilized for popular titles like Shantae and River City Girls Zero, showcasing its compatibility with modern platforms.

Considering the limited availability of classic games in today's market, Gex fans can rejoice as the beloved franchise is finally being officially resurrected. With the support of Square Enix, Limited Run is likely to have access to the necessary resources to effectively port the games to modern hardware. The only remaining question revolves around the extent to which the games will be modernized.

Although Square Enix has a wide range of classic games in its catalog, the addition of Gex may come as a surprise to many. However, this decision could be aligned with Bandai Namco's release of the popular retro game Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series. It is fascinating to observe Square Enix's willingness to embrace remakes and remasters of classic franchises, which may be a strategic move to gain the trust and loyalty of their older audiences. Some fans have gone as far as requesting a Xenogears Remaster from Square Enix, although the studio has not made any commitments at this time. Nevertheless, the expressed interest could potentially sway the decision-making process of those in charge.

The Gex Trilogy is currently in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.