Rex Nebular and the Cosmic Gender Bender
- October 17, 2014
- MicroProse Software, Inc.
Get on SteamA priceless vase is lost on a distant planet that doesn't exist. An irate colonel wants it back. And only one man is experienced enough...skilled enough...and foolish enough to retrieve it: interstellar adventurer and bungling bachelor Rex Nebular! Join Rex as he pilots the Slippery Pig on a crash course for Terra Androgena, a planet populated entirely by bizarre alien women with big agendas of t…
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Reviews
- The graphics are well-made and add considerable realism to the story, despite being low-resolution compared to modern games.
- The interface is sophisticated and user-friendly, making it enjoyable to navigate compared to other inventory-intensive adventure games.
- The inventory-based puzzles are challenging yet logical, allowing players to find solutions without excessive wandering.
- The introduction and some cutscenes are overly lengthy, making the pacing feel slow.
- Finding important objects is extremely difficult due to the lack of cursor changes and the small size of some items, leading to frustrating gameplay.
- The plot becomes tiresome in the last third of the game, with repetitive driving and object-finding that can be overwhelming without a walkthrough.
- humor18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is polarizing, with some players finding it crude and reminiscent of 1990s-era jokes, while others appreciate its satirical take on 50s sci-fi tropes. Those with a nostalgic fondness for classic point-and-click adventures may enjoy the humor, but it may not resonate with everyone, particularly due to its sexist undertones. Overall, the comedic elements are hit-or-miss, appealing mainly to those with a specific taste for juvenile humor.
“If you have the patience of a saint and the sense of humor of a fourteen-year-old boy, you will probably enjoy this game quite a bit.”
“The game premise is a satire of a bad 50s-era science fiction B-movie, where the male protagonist gets trapped on a planet of women (you can probably see where this is going....) some people will find it incredibly funny, many others won't.”
“However, I gave it a go when I installed the game for her, and after sitting through the long cut scene (you can tell I'm used to modern games), I laughed repeatedly.”
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story is criticized for its reliance on gender stereotypes and a mediocre plot, particularly in the final third of the game. While it attempts to explore themes of intergender hostilities through a space quest narrative, it lacks humor and engaging gameplay, resulting in a far-fetched and underwhelming experience. The graphics are noted as a strong point, adding realism to the otherwise simplistic storyline.
“The graphics are well-made and add considerable realism to an otherwise far-fetched story.”
“All genders are still treated as stereotypes in this game, and the traditional mostly-negative attitudes toward genders are maintained; however, the story nevertheless presents an interesting twist on the worst-case consequences of intergender hostilities.”
“You play as Rex Nebular, and your quest is to retrieve the vase from an unknown planet when you're suddenly attacked by female invaders hunting down the male race.”
“My only other criticism concerns the plot for the last third of the game.”
“The storyline and writing are mediocre, and the gameplay and puzzles aren't terribly engaging.”
“It's Space Quest without the humor or clever puzzles.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their quality and ability to enhance realism, despite the game being rooted in 1990s aesthetics. While they effectively contribute to the narrative, the overall visual style is seen as a nostalgic reminder of the era rather than a modern standard.
“The graphics are well-made and add considerable realism to an otherwise far-fetched story.”
- music2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is considered low-grade and somewhat dated, yet it remains enjoyable for players.
“The soundtrack is a bit low-grade and dated, but it’s actually enjoyable to listen to.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally considered unremarkable, with both the puzzles and overall engagement failing to captivate players.
“The storyline and writing are mediocre, and the gameplay and puzzles aren't terribly engaging.”
