Now I haven’t performed an Oddworld sport for the reason that first sport 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 stage. However the Oddworld universe has at all times had a singular appeal that has saved the bizarre sequence at the back of my thoughts, and within the cultural zeitgeist by twenty years of remakes and re-releases. Which brings us to the newest title within the sequence – the discharge of the remake Oddworld: Soulstorm on the Change. So let’s test 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 basic puzzle-platforming, stealth and technique parts 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 sport. To save lots of his buddies, cease the evil Mullock, and uncover extra concerning 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 fulfilling 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 quite a bit.
Trying again on the unique Abe’s Exoddus, Oddworld: Soulstorm makes numerous adjustments. Apart from some new story, characters, and ranges, there are some particularly fashionable additions. There’s a badge rating system, which acts as an achievement listing for every stage, and Abe is now capable of loot treasures and craft gadgets – normal options for any big-name sport. There’s additionally a toggleable ‘streamer mode’ which brings up a show for stats like time spent on the present stage and a demise counter – nothing obligatory for the layman however I suppose a streamer’s viewers may admire it.
One factor that did irk me concerning the revamped sport regards the two.5D and 2D parts coming collectively. Throwing gadgets in a 2D arc alongside a curvy 2.5D path brought on me just a few complications. At one level, attempting to position 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 valuable merchandise. I additionally encountered a few minor respawn glitches and thought the sport may clarify some capabilities slightly higher however these have been nothing main.
Oddworld: Soulstorm is a darkish and miserable sport. I don’t know if I discovered it significantly distressing as a result of Abe’s childlike deamanour and large, 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 every thing I saved taking part in and it was nonetheless a heck of numerous enjoyable and that’s an indication of an excellent sport in my guide.
Score: 4/5
