What I expect from Oddworld: Soulstorm

EDIT: I have new feelings about Munch's Oddysee, and will post a review at some point. The posts I've made, which include the old views I had, will stay unedited, to showcase that my views have changed from then.



NO KIDDIE TONE: I hated Munch's Oddysee, not just because it was boring and not really funny, but because it felt like a dark Nickelodeon cartoon. That would be fine if this was a Nickelodeon series to begin with (Invader ZIM is a great example of a dark Nick cartoon), but it started off and continues to be a darkly comedic game series that deals with adult themes (corporations endangering and killing off natural species, stepping on the little guy, destruction of heritage, etc.). Munch treated these issues in a terrible way, and gave more focus on the style and humor than the the themes and story. Oddworld works best when all those elements are worked on simultaneously. It also made the humor very child-like, with a big example being dialogue. When you are able to possess a Slig, you can make them give insults. While you could do that in the first two games, they were made to sound like alarm or machine-like noises, adding to the "foreign civilization with it's own culture" feel the first two games shown. Here, they're in English, and very juvenile. "Poo-brain!", "Hey, Butt-wipe!", and others are not hilarious and disgusting, they're embarrassing.


MAKE IT CINEMATIC: All the games, even Munch, made you feel like you were watching, and playing through, an animated film, both with the cutscenes and the gameplay. If they can bring it to the next level with this game, I'll be very happy.


MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL: Oddworld's games are famed for being beautiful, with a level of detail that's usually reserved for feature films. Now that we have other games that have that same beauty, we need the company to truly step up the visual bar.

I truly hope Oddworld does Soulstorm justice, as I want to see them put out a truly beautiful, mature product.

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD review

EDIT: I have new feelings about Munch's Oddysee, and will post a review at some point. The posts I've made, which include the old views I had, will stay unedited, to showcase that my views have changed from then.




Deep in the heart of Western Mudos, outlaws run rampant, ransacking supply wagons, holding water facilities hostage, and just generally being a threat/nuisance to the sentient chicken population. Enter Stranger, a bounty hunter with a serious need for some cash... a possibly life-saving need. But as he soon finds out, looking out for yourself can make you blind to danger, and he'll need all the help he can get (and give) in order to correct a most awful wrong.

The game, made by Oddworld Inhabitants and re-worked by JAW Ltd. is a vast improvement from their previous game, Munch's Oddysee. This time, the 3D environments are beautiful, and the character models and movement feel alive. The story is also very good, as it deals with the themes Oddworld is known for (stepping on the little guy, wasteful uses of nature and it's bounty, etc) in a new setting for them (the "lone wanderer in the west" theme). Gameplay sections are intense, the boss fights are truly boss, and the music is SO WONDERFUL.

Also, the ammo you have isn't bullets, but creatures. You fire animals, is what I'm saying. Hilariously brutal animals. From the bullet-like Stingbees to explosive Boombats to insulting Chippunks, you have a whole arsenal of weird and wonderful creatures at your disposal. Need to blow away a bunch of outlaws? Shoot a Boombat. Need to lure an enemy out? Fire a Chipmunk and watch him come to stamp out the annoying rodent. Want to shock them up a bit? Fire a Zappfly and knock 'em unconscious with the electricity. So much variety to these creatures, and that's not even taking into account that you can upgrade them later to more dangerous versions. Plus, the crossbow you shoot them out of has two slots, meaning you can have two of the ammo types available for you. Again, so much variety.

All in all, this is a wonderful game as well as a wonderful remastering job by JAW Ltd.

Oddworld: Soulstorm announced

Today, Oddworld Inhabitants announced the re-do/remake of Abe's Exoddus, naming it Oddworld: Soulstorm. Unlike the first remake (New n Tasty), this one seems to be going in a darker direction, which is a relief to me; although I loved New n Tasty, what set the original Oddysee game apart was its dark and sad tone with humor sprinkled in, unlike the "humor with a dark tone" style the remake had. I truly hope Oddworld isn't messing with us, because what I want is a proper return to the first game's tone done with glorious HD visuals and moody music.

Here's the link:http://www.oddworld.com/soulstorm/

And now, the obligatory welcome post

Welcome to Super-Blog, your home for cool news and content. I'm new to this thing, so I hope you all enjoy it!