Overview – developed by Inresin and published by Super Rare Originals/Gamersky Games, The Gecko Gods is a platform adventure set on mysterious islands, where players take control of a tiny gecko. As the gecko, explore the ruins of a forgotten archipelago and solve the puzzles to uncover the mysteries they hold. This title is available for PlayStation 5, Steam and Nintendo Switch, with a link to each version of the game at the bottom of this review.
Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank Super Rare Originals for providing the copy of The Gecko Gods used for this piece, via the Keymailer service. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.
Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review. There is little in terms of a narrative that is presented, so I will be going straight into discussing gameplay, with available plot details sprinkled throughout. Please Note, images used for this piece are taken from official sources.
Gameplay – The Gecko Gods is a relaxed puzzle-adventure, where the player takes control of a little gecko, arriving on the shore of a mysterious archipelago. While exploring the island, the player will encounter the spirits of the Gecko Gods, who will guide the player on their quest. During the start of the adventure, the player will only be able to explore one of the islands. However, as the adventure progresses, players will be able to explore more of the islands.
While on each of the islands, the player will be able to climb any surface that they come across, allowing players to cling to walls and ceilings. The little gecko will also be able to jump, dash and swim across pools of water. There will also be environmental elements to interact with, including switches, moving platforms and levers to open gates. Many of the puzzles will have multiple steps to them that need to be solved to progress.
There will also be platforming elements to the various puzzle challenges, including hitting gongs, jumping through hoops and ringing bells. By completing the different puzzle challenges and objectives, they will be marked off the list and lead to interesting effects on the islands. Upon completing the challenges of the first island, the player will be able to access the boat, which allows the gecko to explore outside of the first island.
The sailing between islands allows for players to engage with open ended exploration, where the islands away from the first can be approached in any order. As the player explores the different islands, they will encounter guides, either through tablets or birds, who will provide hints on objectives. These will then be added to the quest guide, allowing players to track their progress, with objective area shown as circles on the different maps.
While this is a rather laid back adventure, there are some dangers present during the adventure. In some areas, there will be enemies that will attack the gecko. If the player takes too much damage, they will lose their tail and then be knocked out, sending them back to the last checkpoint. But players can fight back by dashing at enemies to defeat them. The open water will also harm the gecko, causing damage if they fall into the ocean.
Away from the main objectives, the player will be able to complete side objectives while exploring. While wandering through the islands, the little gecko can eat up various insects, with each new insect being added to a special page on progress screen. There will also be relics that are hidden around the islands, which players can find as they explore. These special collectables will also be added to the special collection page.
Throughout the journey across the islands, the player will be able to collect golden symbols. The main way is from destroying jars and pots, which will drop points when they are smashed by dashing into them. Enemies will also drop the points when they are defeated by the player. These points are added to a pot that is carried throughout the course of the adventure. Players can use these points to purchase special cosmetic items for the gecko.
As players explore, they will find special mirrors that players will be able to interact with. When one of these points has been found, the player will go into the cosmetics menus, where special colors and patterns that can be purchased. These items varying amounts of points to unlock, which are deducted from the player bank. The colors and patterns that can be purchased for the gecko unlock during the adventure, with many cosmetics to discover.
Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.
Controls – there is a relatively simple and intuitive control scheme for the Gecko Gods, offering players an easy to pick up and play experience. All of the inputs needed to experience the adventure are on the face, with the thumbsticks controlling movement and the camera. While the experience is generally smooth, there are a few little hiccups with control when getting stuck on corners, with the camera being difficult to control at times.
Difficulty – there is a relatively low level of difficulty, making this game approachable by players of all skill levels. This is due to a laid back and relaxed atmosphere, with the threats to the player being few and far between. The only real challenge for players is to solve the puzzles, which can require some wandering and can take time to figure out. This makes the Gecko Gods an excellent choice to be played with children, or as a family.
Presentation – visually, this title has a soft and vibrant look to it, with an excellent use of color and textures that give a soft shaded look. This works well for the game to give it a relaxed atmosphere, which is further enhanced by the music, which has soft compositions that add to the gentle feel. The game performs well, with fluid performance and no issues with lag. Sadly, there are some minor issues with pop in, as the render distance on switch is a little short.
Final thoughts – I had seen this game a few years back when the reveal trailer dropped in 2022, but there were several delays before being released this year. When the opportunity to cover the game was offered to me, I was more than happy to pick it up. I very much enjoy this adventure, as the gentle atmosphere and relaxed gameplay offer a refreshing experience. The platforming and puzzles have some challenges to them, but they are accessible by all players.
This is an excellent adventure, which encourages exploration with the ability to climb on all surfaces. However, there are some minor issues with this ability, as players can get stuck on surfaces, fall suddenly and have some difficulties finding the right direction. Thankfully, these are just hiccups that don’t sour the overall experience. I recommend this game to everyone that enjoys adventure games, as it is perfect for families and those who want a relaxed experience.
In the end, I give The Gecko Gods a final score of 4.25/5. This is an enjoyable and pleasant adventure, with a soft shaded look and relaxed environment that allows players to enjoy the game at their own pace, offering rewarding exploration and balanced platforming puzzles. If you want to check this game out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.
Link to Nintendo Switch version (HERE)
Link to PlayStation version (HERE)
Link to Steam version (HERE)
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