View source for Vexx

{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title      = Vexx
| image      = Vexx Cover.png
| developer  = [[Acclaim Studios Austin]]
| publisher  = [[Acclaim Entertainment]]
| director   = David Dienstbier
| producer   = Kristy Tipton
| designer   = Thomas Coles
| programmer = Chuck Karpiak
| artist     = Gregg Hargrove
| composer   = Nelson Everhart
| platforms  = [[GameCube]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
| released   = {{Video game release|NA|February 11, 2003<ref>{{cite web |date=February 11, 2003 |url=http://www.acclaim.com/company/pressReleases/product/VexxShips.html |title=ACCLAIM ENTERTAINMENT, INC. UNLEASHES NEW VIDEO GAME ACTION HERO ON NEXT-GENERATION SYSTEMS WITH 'VEXX' |website=[[Acclaim Entertainment]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040817185642/http://www.acclaim.com/company/pressReleases/product/VexxShips.html |archive-date=August 17, 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref>|EU|April 4, 2003}}
| genre      = [[Platformer|Platform]], [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]]
| modes      = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}

'''''Vexx''''' is a 2003 [[Platformer|platform game]] developed by [[Iguana Entertainment|Acclaim Studios Austin]] and published by [[Acclaim Entertainment]] for the [[GameCube]], [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]. The game was released in North America on February 11, 2003, and in Europe on April 4, 2003. It follows the main character, Vexx, as he searches different worlds for the wraithhearts to power the rift between worlds and defeat Dark Yabu to avenge his grandfather's death. The game began development in 1999 and underwent a strained development process, during which many features and levels were cut. ''Vexx'' received mixed reviews.

== Gameplay ==
''Vexx'' is a 3D platformer that takes place across a series of nine nonlinear open levels. A set of wraithhearts are hidden in each level, and the player must find where they are located and, in some cases, complete challenges to obtain them. Collecting a sufficient number of wraithhearts unlocks the next level, and players are free to travel between the levels to collect 60 wraithhearts to fight the [[Boss (video games)|final boss]]. Combat takes place primarily through the use of the Astani War Talons, which allow for [[melee]] attacks that can be used in several combinations and can be charged to shoot flames for a brief time.

The gameplay has been compared to 3D games in the ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' franchise, such as ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''.<ref name="GSpotXbox"/><ref name="IGNXbox"/><ref name="NWR">{{cite web |last=Trammell |first=David |date=March 24, 2003 |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/4066/vexx-gamecube |title=Vexx |website=Nintendo World Report |publisher=NINWR, LLC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901003215/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/4066/vexx-gamecube |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>

== Plot ==
In the past, the Astani people of Astara created a rift system that allowed them to move between worlds. However, the Shadowraiths came through the rift, drained it of its energy, and destroyed Astara. Hundreds of years later, Dark Yabu (voiced by [[Brian Cox (actor)|Brian Cox]]), the leader of the Shadowraiths, discovers the village of Overwood and enslaves the Valdani people that live there so they can find the wraithhearts to power the rift. Vexx attempts to resist, but he is spared from Yabu's wrath by his grandfather Vargas, who is killed in the ensuing fight. Vexx sneaks away and discovers the Astani War Talons, which bond to him.

Vexx awakens in the Hall of Heroes, where previous wearers of the Talons are entombed. An old man named Darby (also voiced by Brian Cox) appears and informs him he carried Vexx to the Hall after thinking he was dead. He also tells Vexx that Yabu completely destroyed the village, and that Vexx and Darby are the only survivors. Darby is too old to fight, so he instructs Vexx to collect the wraithhearts and use them to power the rift and find and stop Yabu before he opens the gate to his own world. Before Vexx departs, Darby warns him the Shadowraiths are shapeshifters and to "trust no one along your journey".

After collecting several wraithhearts, Vexx meets up with Darby inside the Landspire, and they encounter Reia, the last remaining Astani warrior. Reia exposes Darby, who is revealed to be Dark Yabu in disguise. Both Reia and Vexx try to attack Yabu, but he escapes, taking Reia's magical staff with him. It is revealed that by collecting the wraithhearts, Vexx was helping Yabu power the gate to his own world.  Since the only way to close the rift is with Reia's staff, Vexx has to activate the rest of the gates and catch up to Yabu to get it back.

After collecting 60 wraithhearts, Vexx finds Yabu in the Shadow Realm, and the two fight one last time. During the battle, Vexx manages to take Yabu's amulet, which gives him more power. Vexx wins and retrieves the staff, but Yabu's death causes the platform on which he and the portal back to Astara stand to crumble. Unable to get back through the portal, Vexx throws the staff through, closing the rift and saving Astara, but trapping himself in the shadow realm.

== Development and release ==

=== Creation and character design ===
Development of ''Vexx'' began in late 1999 by [[Iguana Entertainment|Acclaim Studios Austin]], with the studio wanting to create a mascot platformer for the [[Sixth generation of video game consoles|then-next generation consoles]].<ref name=team-xbox-thomas-coles-interview>{{cite web |author=TeamXbox staff |date=February 8, 2003 |url=http://www.teamxbox.com/article.php?id=505&t=i |title=Vexx: Thomas Coles Interview |website=[[TeamXbox]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030419063625/http://www.teamxbox.com/article.php?id=505&t=i |archive-date=April 19, 2003 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 6, 2017}}</ref><ref name=strategism-youtube-interview>{{cite AV media |author=FaxMeAppleJuice |date=March 6, 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI5gRoXy-kE |title=Vexx speedrun ft. developer Kynan Pearson [FULL STREAM] |website=[[YouTube]] |publisher=[[Google]] |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/BI5gRoXy-kE |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=July 6, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The development team was led by creative director David Dienstbier and designer Thomas Coles and varied in size, ranging from around 22-40 people who had worked on some of Iguana's previous titles, such as ''[[Turok: Dinosaur Hunter]]''.<ref name=team-xbox-thomas-coles-interview/><ref name=ign-unplugged-interview>{{cite interview |title=Vexx Interview |last=Coles |first=Thomas |last2=Deinstbier |first2=David |interviewer1=Fran Mirabella III |interviewer2=Aaron Boulding |work=IGN Unplugged |publisher=IGN |date=March 15, 2002}}</ref> Coles cited several platform games as inspiration for the game, specifically ''Super Mario 64'' and ''[[Banjo-Kazooie (video game)|Banjo-Kazooie]]''.<ref name=gamespot-first-look>{{cite web |last=Torres |first=Ricardo |date=January 14, 2002 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-lookvexx/1100-2838855/ |title=First LookVexx |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020119161341/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/previews/0,10869,2838855,00.html |archive-date=January 19, 2002 |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>

The game was initially titled ''Clip and Mischief'', and starred a rodent-like creature named Clip, who had a small, reptilian sidekick named Mischief.<ref name=strategism-youtube-interview/><ref name=kynan-pearson-blog>{{cite web |last=Pearson |first=Kynan |date=December 19, 2012 |url=https://subtractivedesign.blogspot.com/2012/12/vexx-making-of-part-1.html |title=Vexx: Making Of - Part 1 |website=Subtractive Design |publisher=[[Blogger (service)|Blogger]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706185207/https://subtractivedesign.blogspot.com/2012/12/vexx-making-of-part-1.html |archive-date=July 6, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=July 6, 2017}}</ref> This idea was shelved when the development team thought the concept was too similar to ''[[Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy|Jak and Daxter]]''.<ref name=strategism-youtube-interview/> To differentiate the game, several gameplay mechanics were changed about halfway through development, primarily the focus on one main playable character.<ref name=strategism-youtube-interview/> The development team renamed the main character Jinx based on his bad luck and his knack for getting into terrible situations, but faced legal issues with the name.<ref name=team-xbox-thomas-coles-interview/><ref name=kynan-pearson-blog/><ref name=ign-holiday-jinx>{{cite web |author=IGN staff |date=January 8, 2002 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/09/acclaims-holiday-jinx |title=Acclaim's Holiday Jinx |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706190627/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/09/acclaims-holiday-jinx |archive-date=July 6, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=July 6, 2017}}</ref> The character was renamed Vexx out of the notion that he would try to turn his bad luck onto his enemies.<ref name=team-xbox-thomas-coles-interview/>

Vexx's design changed several times during development. Designers initially submitted ideas for a character that Acclaim would be proud to have as their own brand mascot.<ref name=ign-unplugged-interview/> The development team soon came to the conclusion that the character should be designed around the gameplay mechanics, and not the other way around.<ref name=ign-unplugged-interview/> As Coles explained, "[[Mario]] is not a great character because he's Mario and he's designed out of nowhere. He's Mario because of the games he's been in and people have grown to love him."<ref name=ign-unplugged-interview/> After creating the core gameplay mechanics, Acclaim did focus testing and worked on finalizing the design, taking inspiration from many sources.<ref name=ign-unplugged-interview/> Vexx's gauntlets, for example, were inspired by a character's gloves from the comic ''[[Battle Chasers]]'', and the team found them perfect for applying effects to give them the moveset they wanted.<ref name=strategism-youtube-interview/> Though the development team tried to create a focused story for the game, they left Vexx's backstory open-ended to allow players to more freely identify with the character as an everyman hero.<ref name=team-xbox-thomas-coles-interview/>

=== Technological development ===
Technology development on the game began in the first half of 2000, with the first game assets being created in November 2000.<ref name=team-xbox-thomas-coles-interview/> Early work on ''Vexx'' was done on PC, since the then-next generation consoles had not been released yet.<ref name=team-xbox-thomas-coles-interview/> The game was always planned to be released on all three platforms, but the team found it easiest to transition to the Xbox, due to its use of the same development tools.<ref name=team-xbox-thomas-coles-interview/><ref name=gamespot-first-look/><ref name=ign-feature>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/15/vexx-3 |title=Vexx |last=IGN Staff |website=[[IGN]] |date=January 15, 2002 |access-date=July 6, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706192107/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/15/vexx-3 |archive-date=July 6, 2017}}</ref> As development progressed, the team branched out and had people working on all three versions simultaneously.<ref name=team-xbox-thomas-coles-interview/> Acclaim tried to play to the strengths of each console, supporting, for example, [[Dolby Digital]] on Xbox and [[Dolby Pro Logic#Dolby Pro Logic II|Dolby Pro-Logic II]] on the PlayStation 2 and GameCube.<ref name=team-xbox-thomas-coles-interview/> With the exception of these and minor tweaks involving the platforms' controllers, the three versions are identical.<ref name=team-xbox-thomas-coles-interview/> ''Vexx'' was developed at the same time as ''[[Turok: Evolution]]'', and though the games were developed by different development teams at Acclaim Studios Austin, they share the same engine and many of the same resources.<ref name=ign-unplugged-interview/><ref name=ign-feature/>

=== Late changes and release ===
The game was unveiled at [[History of the Electronic Entertainment Expo#2001 (May 17–19)|E3 2001]] as ''Jinx'' and re-introduced as ''Vexx'' on January 14, 2002.<ref name=gamespot-first-look/><ref name=ign-holiday-jinx/><ref name=ign-feature/> ''Vexx'' was originally slated for an October 2002 release, but was delayed for the team to have extra time to polish the game.<ref name=gamespot-first-look/><ref name=ign-feature/> The development team was inspired by the then-newly released ''Super Mario Sunshine'' and its use of previews showing players where to find the shine sprites in the game, and added similar previews in the form of arrow indicators as a last-ditch effort to make the game easier for casual players.<ref name=strategism-youtube-interview/> ''Vexx'' was finally released in North America on February 11, 2003, and in Europe on April 4, 2003. The game was published by [[Acclaim Entertainment]] for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[GameCube]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] [[video game console]]s.

Due to time constraints and insufficient funding, much content was cut during development. ''Vexx'' originally featured six worlds, with each world containing three levels, forming a combined total of 18 levels.<ref name=strategism-youtube-interview/><ref name=gamespot-first-look/><ref name=ign-feature/> The worlds idea was eventually scrapped, and half of the levels were cut from the game to focus on the remaining nine a year before the game was released.<ref name=strategism-youtube-interview/> The game originally featured six bosses, including a troll boss featuring heavily in pre-release footage who eventually ended up as an NPC.<ref name=strategism-youtube-interview/><ref name=gamespot-first-look/><ref name=ign-feature/> The game's day/night cycle was supposed to play a significantly larger role as well, with the development team trying to create a light/dark world akin to ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]]''.<ref name=strategism-youtube-interview/><ref name=gamespot-first-look/><ref name=ign-feature/> Several suit power-ups were also cut from the game, including an underwater suit that allowed Vexx to swim faster.<ref name=strategism-youtube-interview/>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| NGC = true
| PS2 = true
| XBOX = true
| na = true
| MC_NGC = 71/100<ref name="MCGC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/vexx/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=Vexx critic reviews (GC) |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=Fandom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210172252/https://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/vexx |archive-date=February 10, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>
| MC_PS2 = 63/100<ref name="MCPS2">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/vexx/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Vexx critic reviews (PS2) |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220003300/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/vexx |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>
| MC_XBOX = 70/100<ref name="MCXBOX">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/vexx/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Vexx critic reviews (Xbox) |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220003304/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/vexx |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>
| Edge_NGC = 3/10<ref name="Edge">{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |title=Vexx |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]] |issue=122 |date=April 2003}}</ref>
| Edge_PS2 = 3/10<ref name="Edge"/>
| Edge_XBOX = 3/10<ref name="Edge"/>
| EGM_NGC = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Hsu |first1=Dan "Shoe" |last2=Tsao |first2=Jennifer |last3=Byrnes |first3=Paul |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/7/7d/EGM_US_165.pdf |title=Vexx (GC) |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=165 |date=April 2003 |page=128 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320153527/https://retrocdn.net/images/7/7d/EGM_US_165.pdf |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>{{efn|Three critics of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' gave the GameCube version each a score of 9/10, 7.5/10, and 6/10.}}
| EPD_XBOX = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |author=Bonnie |date=March 21, 2003 |url=http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=10866&full=1 |title=Vexx (Xbox) |website=[[EP Daily|The Electric Playground]] |publisher=Greedy Productions Ltd. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030526170217/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=10866&full=1 |archive-date=May 26, 2003 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>
| EuroG_PS2 = 3/10<ref name="EuroG">{{cite web |last=Reed |first=Kristan |date=April 7, 2003 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-vexx-ps2 |title=Vexx (PS2) |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030429032304/http://www.eurogamer.net/content/r_vexx_ps2 |archive-date=April 29, 2003 |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>
| GI_NGC = 8.25/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Vexx (GC) |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop]] |issue=119 |date=March 2003 |page=84}}</ref>
| GI_PS2 = 6.75/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Vexx (PS2) |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |issue=120 |date=April 2003 |page=68}}</ref>
| GI_XBOX = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Brogger |first=Kristian |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200303/R03.0729.1729.47800.htm |title=Vexx (Xbox) |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |issue=119 |date=March 2003 |page=87 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031201022901/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200303/R03.0729.1729.47800.htm |archive-date=December 1, 2003 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref>
| GSpot_NGC = 6.3/10<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Ryan |date=February 10, 2003 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/vexx-review/1900-2910628/ |title=Vexx Review (GC, PS2) |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314063852/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/vexx-review/1900-2910628/ |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>
| GSpot_PS2 = 6.3/10<ref name="GSpot"/>
| GSpot_XBOX = 6.3/10<ref name="GSpotXbox">{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Ryan |date=February 14, 2003 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/vexx-review/1900-2910956/ |title=Vexx Review (Xbox) |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[Fandom (website)|Fandom]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203165221/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/vexx-review/1900-2910956/ |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>
| GSpy_NGC = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Benjamin |date=February 23, 2003 |url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/vexx/5639p1.html |title=GameSpy: Vexx (GCN) |website=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051201222534/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/vexx/5639p1.html |archive-date=December 1, 2005 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref>
| GSpy_PS2 = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Benjamin |date=February 23, 2003 |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/vexx/5640p1.html |title=GameSpy: Vexx (PS2) |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051216050958/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/vexx/5640p1.html |archive-date=December 16, 2005 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref>
| GSpy_XBOX = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Benjamin |date=February 23, 2003 |url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/vexx/5641p1.html |title=GameSpy: Vexx (Xbox) |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051218080636/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/vexx/5641p1.html |archive-date=December 18, 2005 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref>
| GameZone_NGC = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=McElfish |first=Carlos |date=February 26, 2003 |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/vexx_gc_review |title=Vexx - GC - Review |publisher=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210200953/http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19677.htm |archive-date=December 10, 2007 |url-status=live |access-date=February 18, 2016}}</ref>
| GameZone_PS2 = 8.9/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Bedigian |first=Louis |date=February 23, 2003 |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/vexx_ps2_review |title=Vexx - PS2 - Review |publisher=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005005625/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19677.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=February 18, 2016}}</ref>
| GameZone_XBOX = 8.3/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Knutson |first=Michael |date=February 21, 2003 |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/vexx_xb_review |title=Vexx - XB - Review |publisher=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010131030/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19677.htm |archive-date=October 10, 2007 |url-status=live |access-date=February 18, 2016}}</ref>
| IGN_NGC = 7.2/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Hilary |date=February 10, 2003 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/10/vexx-4 |title=Vexx (GCN) |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203165230/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/10/vexx-4 |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>
| IGN_PS2 = 7.4/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Hilary |date=February 10, 2003 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/10/vexx-5 |title=Vexx (PS2) |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203165229/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/10/vexx-5 |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>
| IGN_XBOX = 7.6/10<ref name="IGNXbox">{{cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Hilary |date=February 10, 2003 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/10/vexx-review |title=Vexx Review (Xbox) |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203165228/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/10/vexx-review |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>
| NP_NGC = 3.3/5<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Vexx |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]] |volume=168 |date=May 2003 |page=139}}</ref>
| NWR_NGC = 7.5/10<ref name="NWR"/>
| OPM_PS2 = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Steinman |first=Gary |url=https://archive.org/details/official-us-playstation-magazine-issue-67-april-2003/page/n91/mode/2up |title=Vexx |magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=67 |date=April 2003 |page=92 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040525141348/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1489882,00.asp |archive-date=May 25, 2004 |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>
| OXM_XBOX = 7.9/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Vexx |magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future US]] |date=April 2003 |page=77}}</ref>
| XPlay_XBOX = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Hudak |first=Chris |date=February 21, 2003 |url=http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0%2C24330%2C3417829%2C00.html |title='Vexx' (Xbox) Review |website=[[X-Play|Extended Play]] |publisher=[[TechTV]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030221122526/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3417829,00.html |archive-date=February 21, 2003 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]''
| rev1_NGC = 8/10<ref name="Maxim">{{cite magazine |last=Steinberg |first=Scott |date=February 12, 2003 |url=http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_4854.html |title=Vexx |magazine=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] |publisher=MaximNet, Inc. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030304072914/http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_4854.html |archive-date=March 4, 2003 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref>
| rev1_PS2 = 8/10<ref name="Maxim"/>
| rev1_XBOX = 8/10<ref name="Maxim"/>
}}

''Vexx'' received "mixed reviews" on all platforms according to video game [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MCXBOX" /><ref name="MCGC" /><ref name="MCPS2" /> It is regarded by critics as a typical platform game that excels in previously established rules of the genre while doing little to expand the premise. Ryan Davis of ''[[GameSpot]]'' praised the game for its variety of tasks and its combat system but criticized it for its weak story, lack of innovation, and poor design.<ref name="GSpot"/> Hilary Goldstein of ''[[IGN]]'' praised the variety of tasks and the platforming aspects of the game while criticizing the lack of interesting enemies and the static nature of the character's abilities.<ref name="IGNXbox"/> Kristan Reed of ''[[Eurogamer]]'' gave the PlayStation 2 version a poor review, harshly criticizing the game for retreading previous platform games without meeting the standards set by previous entries.<ref name="EuroG"/> Fennec Fox of ''[[GamePro]]'' said of the Xbox version, "With some polish (and a better soundtrack), ''Vexx'' could take on the top of the heap; as it is, it already beats all of last year's second-tier platformers."<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Fennec Fox |url=http://gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/28193.shtml |title=Vexx (Xbox) |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |issue=175 |date=April 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209234231/http://gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/28193.shtml |archive-date=February 9, 2005 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 18, 2016}}</ref>{{efn|''[[GamePro]]'' gave the Xbox version 4/5 for graphics, 3/5 for sound, and two 3.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.}}

{{clear}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20030207111747/http://www.vexxthegame.com/index2.html}} at the [[Internet Archive]]
* {{MobyGames|id=/9578/vexx/}}
{{Iguana Entertainment}}
{{Portal bar|Video games}}

[[Category:2003 video games]]
[[Category:3D platformers]]
[[Category:Acclaim Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Acclaim Studios Austin games]]
[[Category:GameCube games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:Science fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games about demons]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games set on fictional planets]]
[[Category:Xbox games]]