Now I haven’t performed an Oddworld recreation for the reason that first recreation got here out again within the late ’90s, and even then I used to be a dumb child who couldn’t get any additional than the second degree. However the Oddworld universe has all the time had a singular attraction that has saved the bizarre sequence at the back of my thoughts, and within the cultural zeitgeist by way of twenty years of remakes and re-releases. Which brings us to the latest title within the sequence – the discharge of the remake Oddworld: Soulstorm on the Change. So let’s verify in with the Oddworld lads!
Oddworld: Soulstorm is a puzzle-platformer from the aptly named studio Oddworld Inhabitants, and is an adaptation of 1998’s Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus, in addition to a sequel to Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty which got here to the Change in 2020. Soulstorm combines Oddworld’s traditional puzzle-platforming, stealth and technique components with an up to date search for Abe and Oddworld, leading to a HD cinematic journey nearly indistinguishable from the 90s classics.
The sport sees protagonist Abe the Modokon main his fellow fish-lookin’ slave brethren on one other perilous journey for salvation after their short-lived completely happy ending on the finish of the earlier recreation. To avoid wasting his buddies, cease the evil Mullock, and uncover extra in regards to the Soulstorm beverage everybody appears to be ingesting, Abe should limber up. You’ll be hopping, climbing, rolling, sneaking, throwing, possessing and liberating all day lengthy. It’s an satisfying gameplay loop, and good factor too as a result of together with the excessive issue, infinite lives and fast respawn you’ll be doing all of it so much.
Trying again on the unique Abe’s Exoddus, Oddworld: Soulstorm makes a number of adjustments. Apart from some new story, characters, and ranges, there are some particularly trendy additions. There’s a badge rating system, which acts as an achievement record for every degree, and Abe is now capable of loot treasures and craft objects – normal options for any big-name recreation. There’s additionally a toggleable ‘streamer mode’ which brings up a show for stats like time spent on the present degree and a loss of life counter – nothing vital for the layman however I suppose a streamer’s viewers may recognize it.
One factor that did irk me in regards to the revamped recreation regards the two.5D and 2D components coming collectively. Throwing objects in a 2D arc alongside a curvy 2.5D path brought on me a number of complications. At one level, attempting to put a mine earlier than a close-by enemy Slig alongside a curved path led to it touchdown an inch exterior Abe and the baddie’s strolling path and a wasted treasured merchandise. I additionally encountered a few minor respawn glitches and thought the sport might clarify some capabilities a little bit higher however these had been nothing main.
Oddworld: Soulstorm is a darkish and miserable recreation. I don’t know if I discovered it significantly distressing as a result of Abe’s childlike deamanour and massive, unhappy, moist eyes, or his boatload of hardships, or as a result of I killed too many Mudokons. Or perhaps it’s simply ‘cos it bummed me out as a child. All I do know is that regardless of all the things I saved enjoying and it was nonetheless a heck of a number of enjoyable and that’s an indication of recreation in my e book.
Ranking: 4/5