Croc: Legend of the Gobbos Remaster Review

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During the late 90s, there was a significant surge in the caliber and fame of 3D platformer games. This upsurge occurred after the release of the original PlayStation and Nintendo 64, giving developers an opportunity to explore a relatively uncharted three-dimensional realm that was seldom seen on earlier gaming consoles.

1996 saw the emergence of groundbreaking technology, which spawned an array of remarkable game titles. Titles such as Super Mario 64 and Crash Bandicoot in 1996, followed by Spyro and Banjo-Kazooie in 1998, revolutionized the landscape of gaming for millions. These 3D mascot platformers marked a significant turning point in the medium, leaving an indelible impact on gaming that reverberated throughout history.

Right smack in the heart of other titles that eventually grew into enduring, cherished franchises, there was the initial release of “Croc: The Legend of the Gobbos” in 1997. Although the game would later receive accolades from certain critics and enthusiasts, it must be said that at the time, it was a somewhat divisive experience overall.

The controls and fundamental layout of Croc’s game were less impressive compared to Super Mario 64, setting a challenging standard indeed. Despite

It came as something of a shock to find out that a remake of the 1997 classic game is set for release in 2025, considering its roots in the ’90s. One might wonder if

I jumped in to find out.

A Respect For Its History

As a gamer, I must say the most delightful moment I experienced with the Croc remaster was immersing myself in the charming “Crocipedia” they included with the game. Just like many other retro remasters and collections we’ve seen lately, the team behind this project really outdid themselves by taking us back to the golden age of the series in the 90s, stirring up a wave of nostalgia.

1. Experience brief glimpses into everyone associated with the project, enjoy adorable and charming Japanese advertisements from back then, explore an assortment of entertaining merchandise, and skim through vintage magazine articles from extinct publications.

2. You’ll encounter snapshots of each team member, laugh at retro Japanese TV commercials, check out fun memorabilia, and peruse old magazine features from defunct publications.

3. Enjoy bite-sized bios of the project contributors, chuckle at vintage Japanese commercials, browse collectible merchandise, and leaf through magazines no longer in circulation.

4. Delve into brief profiles of everyone working on the project, giggle at old Japanese TV ads, explore fun memorabilia, and skim through out-of-print magazines.

5. Take a peek at short introductions for the entire team, laugh at nostalgic Japanese commercials, browse amusing merchandise, and flip through discontinued magazine issues.

You can find an easy-to-follow guide on making your own Croc plush toy, which is simply charming and endearing. It’s clear that the creators have such affection for the original character they brought into being, and seeing all this collected information was genuinely heartwarming.

Before diving into the game itself, I thoroughly explored Crocipedia. This preliminary investigation filled me with optimism, as I believed that this remaster would find innovative ways to adapt to contemporary gaming standards. Despite the possibility that the game might not have aged gracefully over the past 28 years, I was confident that I would still enjoy playing it.

I can be a little naive at times.

Mild Modernization

Croc opted for a unique method in its remastering process. Unlike other retro titles that are often reborn as complete overhauls of their former versions, games such as the Spyro Reignited and Crash Bandicoot N. Sane trilogies serve as notable examples of a more faithful remastering approach.

Compared to some other games that make a grand announcement about remasters, Croc chose a more subtle approach when referring to it. The graphics are still blocky and simplistic but have been updated with a modern shine suitable for 4K gaming, and it runs noticeably smoother from beginning to end.

Still, I couldn’t help but think that this also ultimately felt like a pretty low effort endeavor.

On one side, it’s quite fascinating to witness a classic game revived with graphics that align closely with how we visualized it back in the 90s as kids. Every gamer has experienced the surprise when revisiting an old title and thinking, “Wow, this doesn’t look as good as I remembered.” Thus, there’s something appealing about Croc, as it seems to have aimed at updating the game to meet our nostalgic expectations.

On the other hand, I found myself musing that it seemed rather casual in its execution. The game allows you to switch between the original and updated visuals, with an added option for VGA or CRT filters for a touch of nostalgia. It is here that the striking resemblance between this game and its 1997 counterpart becomes quite evident.

In simpler terms, it seems like they’re just updating an old game without any real need, and the outcome isn’t very impressive considering today’s gaming standards. However, from a historical perspective, it’s an interesting concept. Still, it probably won’t convince many gamers to revisit Croc.

The Same Boring Gameplay And Levels

1997’s version of “Croc” is particularly remembered for its tank-like controls. Developers were still experimenting with the best ways to navigate 3D spaces, leading to a rather awkward and difficult-to-manage movement system in “Croc”, which felt clunky compared to most other games of that era.

2025 brings us the pleasure of playing the classic game ‘Croc’ with standard joystick controls and a right stick for flexible camera adjustments. The tank controls on the d-pad are still there if you fancy a trip down memory lane, though I’d advise against it.

Level designs are extremely basic and now painfully easy with modern controls.

Despite the new control system being pleasant, it can’t conceal the truth that Croc hasn’t been particularly enjoyable compared to most games within the same genre.

Modern game controls have made the level designs feel very fundamental and excessively simple. The health system in Sonic, where crystal-like rings shatter when you sustain damage, becomes frustrating when you’ve amassed around 80 of them, yet can only restore 2 upon receiving a hit.

Adversaries are rather predictable and persistently reappear following a brief interval. The items to gather lack excitement in their discovery, except for unlocking a brief additional scene at the end of each stage, which often fails to impress.

The crocodile seems to glide as if he’s constantly on an icy surface.

Platforming games often lack precision, and they seldom offer enjoyment or intrigue. Puzzles consist mainly of moving a crate or hanging from the bottom of a chain-link platform to bridge a gap.

The boss battles in this game are disappointingly dull, uninspiring, and exasperating. They seem oddly bereft of sound effects for incoming attacks, and they conclude unexpectedly with a “mission accomplished” screen after you deliver your third clumsy-feeling tail-attack on the enemy.

In the end, there isn’t much about Croc that’s engaging or compelling enough for a repeat playthrough. Frequently, I would pass up on a Gobbo hidden in a room because the effort required to reach it didn’t seem worthwhile, and even if I did collect it, it wouldn’t make a difference in the grand scheme of things.

Instead of rushing through every stage in platformer games straight for the exit, ignoring any optional elements along the way, indicates that I may not find those additional collectibles entertaining or valuable. This suggests a less than optimal gaming approach.

Only For The Extremely Nostalgic

In the end, it’s hard to imagine “Croc” remastered appealing to anyone beyond those who were its original players from 1997, particularly those seeking a dose of nostalgia to help them get through their day. For this specific group, I’m certain they’ll be thrilled with the collection that takes them back in time.

By 2025, longtime enthusiasts of platform games who haven’t yet played Croc may discover no compelling reasons to engage with it. Frankly, I question whether even the children of today would find much pleasure in the brief 5-6 hour adventure, given that there are numerous more engaging modern alternatives available.

It’s unfortunate, indeed, when one reaches such conclusions after playing the game, for it seems disappointing. I understand there are many who fondly remember this game from their childhood. The developers, no doubt, take pride in the product and aimed to revive the beloved character Croc as a tribute to their shared past. However, these thoughts are hard to swallow when you’re navigating through a game that feels outdated and lacks excitement in today’s gaming landscape – a platformer that may not be necessary in its current form.

It’s not necessary for every classic game to receive an updated version or remaster just to attract attention again, as I doubt a contemporary audience would demand a full-fledged revival of the series based on

If you’re familiar with whether or not this game appeals to you, feel free to reminisce as you explore it further.

Closing Comments

Regrettably, there seems little reason for Croc: The Legend of The Gobbos to return in 2025. Even in 1997, the game suffered from awkward controls, unoriginal environments, and lackluster level design that were surpassed by its more successful peers. Although this remaster offers a smoother experience with updated graphics and movements, it’s hard to argue for its necessity. Fans who adored the game in the past will likely enjoy it, but this is essentially a nostalgia-driven update. It appears that the developers hold a deep affection for their scaly protagonist, but unfortunately, this isn’t enough to make Croc an engaging 3D platformer for most players today.

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2025-04-02 10:10