Developer: Just Add Water, Oddworld Inhabitants
Publisher: Oddworld Inhabitants
Platforms: Switch, PC,
Tested on: Switch
Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee – Review
Oddworld is a franchise that has thus far spawned five titles. Some are currently undergoing some remastering in order to make the series somewhat relevant again. A while ago we took a look at Stranger’s Wrath, which is the fourth game of the series, to now have a gander at Munch’s Oddysee, which is the third part of the quintology. This release order is somewhat strange, as it would have made more sense to follow the original release order. Nonetheless, this time we get to play as Abe, as well as Munch, in this new (old) Oddworld adventure.
Story
Munch’s Oddysee takes place after the two initial Oddworld games, and the game also allows you to view a very long cutscene portraying what has happened in the first games. We have to say that the cutscene is a bit tedious to watch, as it moves really slow and feels a bit dated to have it presented this way. Nonetheless, the Oddworld storyline is quite interesting, albeit grim. This game takes place when the Vykkers are pretty much wiping out Munch’s entire race. The toad-like creature seems to be the last survivor of his kind, and is now on his way to become another victim of the meat industry of this universe. Abe, the hero of the previous games, gets the assignment of saving this lonely creature and then embarks on a quest where the two of them have to combine their powers against the evil Vykkers.
Overall the story is quite simple, but very detailed. You’ll get a lot of information, even though it’s pretty much all about taking down the evil corporation that is turning nearly every living creature on the planet into food.
Graphics
As this is a remastered title, things remain a bit rough around the edges as only the source material has been edited. This means that things can look a bit dated, especially when looking at the game’s different environments. The character models, and even the cutscenes make up for a lot and they still ooze that typical Oddworld look and feel. We noticed a few janky camera angles here and there, but other than that, the game does have a fun style, with a certain dark atmosphere looming over everything the game throws at you.
Sound
The sound design is decent, but the voice acting feels more annoying than a novelty in this day and age. The overall music and SFX quality is okay, it’s nothing spectacular. The music fits what is going on, and the sound effects, which can be a bit annoying during combat, properly convey what action your character is taking or enduring. Some effects can get a bit tedious, such as the repeating grunts of enemies or the very high pitched chanting sound of Abe.
Gameplay
Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee is a very old school adventure platformer that has a fair amount of puzzles for you to solve. You’ll play the game as Abe and/or Munch in the different stages the game throws you in. Each of the two characters has their own set of abilities, advantages and disadvantages. Abe is well-versed in platforming sections on land, and he can also possess enemy units, while Munch is great for water sections and he can zap his enemies.
The offset of the game is quite simple. You’re thrown in different levels, and you simply have to unlock the next portion of said level. Each part is often locked with gates you have to open by collecting enough Spooceshrubs, which are green orb-like things scattered all around the levels. Other than that, you often need to save other innocent beings, who will aid you in combat, but will also contribute to the good or bad ending of the game, depending on if you go out of your way to save these critters.
We have to say that the controls sometimes feel a bit clunky, and this is somewhat due to the awkward camera controls and the dated UI. You have no real indication of when an enemy will kick the bucket, or how much hits your own character(s) can take. The game also works with a manual save option, which is something to take at heart, as this is not common in games anymore. Nonetheless, you can save at any point in the game, which is certainly a plus. Some things are not ideal though. As you pass some checkpoints, it’s possible that the game will put you in a segment, with enemies, but all your saved critters dead, forcing you to restart the level, as on your own you’re pretty much useless in combat.
Conclusion
Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee is a fun trip down memory lane. The game offers a classical adventure experience that still plays fairly well, even when feeling dated at certain parts of the game. The game could have been a lot better with a proper overhaul of the sound design, as some parts make the game even more dated and a tad annoying. Nonetheless, if you never had the chance to play through the Oddworld games, this might be an interesting release to check out. Those who played the original games will probably not encounter anything life-changing, but it might be fun to replay this classic.
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