Croc Is Pure PS1 Charm Wrapped Around Some Very PS1 Controls
Gaming Up North
The setup
Croc travels across a series of islands to rescue the furry Gobbos from Baron Dante, smashing enemies, collecting crystals and navigating early 3D platforming levels.
Croc is exactly the sort of game I think of when somebody says PlayStation. It is colourful, weird and contains a mascot that somebody was clearly hoping would become massive one day.
There is a lot to like in the levels and Croc himself is still ridiculously likeable, but those tank style controls have not aged kindly. But Croc cheerfully hops around with his unmistakably British "wa-hey!", an exclamation that not enough video game characters make these days in my opinion.
Half the challenge sometimes feels like getting Croc and the camera to agree on where you actually want to go.
I still have a soft spot for it though because it has loads of personality and that proper 90s platformer feel, which unfortunately pales in comparison to Super Mario 64.
But it's got enough of a cult following for it to be remade for modern consoles and PC, so there must be some magic in them old Gobbos.
Positives
Loads of charm, colourful worlds, great character design, pure PS1 nostalgia.
Negatives
Awkward tank controls, camera can be a pain, platforming is less precise than it needs to be.
Verdict
Janky by modern standards, but charming enough that I can forgive a lot of it.
