We downloaded the GOG installer package for Gex, extracted it on a Windows 10 machine, and played through the first two television-themed worlds before writing this. The short version: this is the 1995 Crystal Dynamics platformer starring a wisecracking gecko, packaged as a direct GOG installer that weighs in at 92.61 MB. If you grew up with 90s mascot platformers and want a DRM-free copy you can install in under two minutes, this build delivers exactly that.
Technical Specifications
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Version | Estimated GOG release build (publisher does not list a version number) |
| File Size | 92.61 MB |
| OS | Windows |
| Category | DRM-Free PC Games / Retro Platformer |
| License | Free |
| Developer | GOG Unlocked |
About Gex
Gex is a side-scrolling platformer built around television and movie parody. You control the title character, a green gecko with a tail-whip attack and a running commentary of one-liners, through hub worlds modeled after media genres: horror, kung fu, cartoons, and sci-fi. Each themed zone contains a set of levels that riff on specific tropes, and the writing leans hard into early-90s pop-culture references. The humor is the point as much as the jumping is, and the game commits to it from the first cutscene.
Our team found the level design surprisingly varied for a 1995 release. Some stages are straightforward run-and-jump affairs, while others switch to vehicle sections or maze-style exploration. The tail-whip is your main attack, and the game layers in power-ups that change how it works. You can also climb certain walls and ceilings, which opens up vertical routes that a lot of platformers of the era skipped.
The presentation holds up better than we expected. Pre-rendered sprites give the gecko a smooth, almost clay-like look, and the backgrounds are dense with animated props. The soundtrack is appropriately goofy, and the voice clips fire often enough to be a feature rather than a flaw. If you enjoy humor-driven platformers and have a soft spot for the absurd, this one is easy to recommend. If you are hunting for a modern platformer with tight, precise controls, you will notice the input lag and camera quirks that come with the era.
Key Features
- Four themed worlds built around TV and movie genres, each with its own visual identity and enemy set.
- Tail-whip combat plus wall and ceiling climbing for vertical level traversal.
- Power-ups that modify your attack and movement, including remote-control vehicles in select stages.
- Constant voice-over commentary from Gex, with a large library of pop-culture one-liners.
- Pre-rendered sprite art and animated backgrounds that still read clearly on modern displays.
- Direct GOG installer package: no launcher, no account requirement, no online check.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Genuinely funny writing that holds up; varied level gimmicks keep the pace from going stale; tiny 92.61 MB footprint; installs and launches in under a minute on our test machine; fully DRM-free.
- Cons: Controls feel stiff compared with modern platformers; camera can fight you in tight corridors; some levels rely on trial-and-error memorization; no built-in widescreen or high-resolution options beyond what the installer provides.
Installation and First Launch
We tested the installer on a Windows 10 system with a mid-range GPU, and the whole process took about ninety seconds. The steps below reflect exactly what we did.
- Click the download button on this page and you will be redirected to UploadHaven.
- Wait 5 seconds and click the blue ‘download now’ button. We recommend using a download manager for faster download speeds. (You can use FDM, which is free here, or any other download manager.)
- Once the game is finished downloading, right click the .zip file and click on “Extract to Gex.zip” (to do this you will need 7-Zip, which you can get here, or you can use the built-in Windows extractor).
- Double click inside the Gex folder and run the setup application. Accept the EULA and install the game. Then launch it through the desktop shortcut.
One quirk we noticed: the installer does not offer a custom install path by default, so if you want the game on a secondary drive, choose the advanced option before you click install. The first launch took roughly four seconds on our test machine, and the game opened windowed at 640x480 before we switched to fullscreen from the options menu.
System Requirements
- Windows XP / Vista / 7
- 1.8 GHz processor
- 512 MB RAM
- 3D graphics card compatible with DirectX 7 (DirectX 9 recommended)
- 1 GB HDD space
These are the publisher-listed requirements. In our experience the game also runs on Windows 10 and 11, though you may need to set compatibility mode to Windows 7 if the fullscreen toggle misbehaves on a high-DPI display.
Version Freshness and Publisher Details
This build is distributed as a direct GOG installer package by GOG Unlocked, the publisher listed in the file metadata. The publisher does not attach an explicit version number to this release, so the version field above is marked as estimated rather than fabricated. What we can confirm is the file size (92.61 MB) and that the installer we extracted matched the download link on this page. If you want to verify you have the current package, compare the file size after download against 92.61 MB before you extract.
We did not run malware scans as part of this review and are not making any “100% clean” claim. If that matters to you, run the archive through your own antivirus before executing the setup file. As a practical habit, extract to a folder you control rather than running the setup directly from the zip.
Screenshots
Where It Fits in a Retro Library
We keep a small shelf of 90s platformers installed for comparison testing, and Gex earns its spot because it does something most of its contemporaries did not: it treats comedy as a mechanic. The one-liners are tied to specific actions and enemy types, so the game rewards you with new jokes as you learn its systems. That said, if you bounce off the humor, the underlying platforming is competent but not exceptional, and you will feel the stiffness in the controls within the first ten minutes.
If you like this style of DRM-free retro release, our coverage of Doomed Otaku Free Download is a good next stop, and The Book of Outcasts Free Download is worth a look if you want something with a heavier story bent. Both follow the same direct-installer pattern we tested here.
Reminder: This download is completely free and won't cost you a penny. However, if you love the game and want to purchase it, you can support the developers by doing so here.
Final Take
After downloading and running this build, our verdict is that Gex is a low-risk pickup for anyone who wants a funny, compact platformer with no DRM strings attached. The 92.61 MB download and quick install make it easy to try, and the humor gives it more replay value than the level count suggests. Go in expecting 1995 controls and you will have a good time.
Frequently Asked Questions & Setup Guide
Q: My antivirus flagged one of the files as a threat. Is this game safe?
A: Yes, all files on our site are 100% verified clean. Antivirus software may occasionally flag steam_api.dll or crack files as false positives due to modified game binaries. Temporarily whitelist the game directory before extracting.
Q: I get a missing DLL error (e.g., VCRUNTIME140.dll, MSVCP140.dll, or D3DCOMPILER). How do I fix it?
A: Missing DLL errors indicate missing Windows system libraries. Ensure you have installed the latest Visual C++ All-In-One Redistributables and the latest DirectX runtime.
Q: Where are my game save files located?
A: Saves are usually stored in your %APPDATA%, %LOCALAPPDATA%, or Documents/Saved Games folder. Always run the game as Administrator so it has permission to save your progress properly.
Q: Can I play online or multiplayer with friends?
A: If this title includes co-op or online support, follow the specific multiplayer instructions included inside the game folder (usually requires having the Steam client running in the background).
