Are Munch's Oddysee and Stranger's Wrath worth it?

[Michael]

Oddworld as a fictional universe is very thorough. A great deal of effort has gone into crafting a perfectly realised, believable alien world. In SW, there was quite an odd (not in the good way!) mix of both alien and somewhat frustratingly human machinery and architecture.

Throughout the series we have been led to believe that Oddworld is a dark, foreboding planet ruled by aliens. It is unbelievable that aliens, completely unaware of our culture, would design and build things the same way- take the narrow, hand rail-less walkways from the industrial buildings of AO/AE. Humans would never build such a death-trap factory. That's what made it alien and a fitting part to the dark nature of Oddworld.

Why did SW have human tractors and caravan trailers? What is strange is that there was also a can-shaped tractor machine which loosely resembled the design of greeters and snoozers, which fitted very well with Oddworld's alien atmosphere.

I guess the point is that everything should be consistently alien and authentic to Oddworld, if our suspension of disbelief is to remain intact. When we start seeing any kind of contradiction to that alien world, in terms of references, character design, or architecture etc, it breaks the believability of the world which has been so painstakingly crafted. For what? If it's just cheap referential humour, that's a pretty big sacrifice, and one which I would say simply isn't worth it.

[OANST]

If you mean the fourth wall, then I agree with you entirely about Munch. But Stranger? Where did Stranger break the illusion of a self-contained universe?

I totally meant the fourth wall. I said third because I'm stupid.

But you really don't see it in SW? The Clakkerz and the Grubs are both just large talking versions of animals we have on Earth. Again, I'm not saying they broke the wall. They just keep winking at it.

[Bixer]

The general consensus seems to be that neither Munch's Oddysee nor Stranger's Wrath hold a candle to the first two games, so I guess I'll just stick to those for the time being! It's not like I'm in any danger of getting bored of them, I'm currently working my way through Abe's Oddysee for what must be the gazillionth time.

[OANST]

Stranger's Wrath is a pretty damn good game, though. It's a huge step in the right direction if you look at MO.

[Wil]

I totally meant the fourth wall. I said third because I'm stupid.

But you really don't see it in SW? The Clakkerz and the Grubs are both just large talking versions of animals we have on Earth. Again, I'm not saying they broke the wall. They just keep winking at it.

I wouldn't call that the Fourth Wall, but I see what you're saying. I don't think my opinions on the Stranger's Wrath character designs are any secret. The wagons in Stranger are an excellent example. It makes me wonder why OWI went with that design instead of the barrel-based architecture in concept art.

Basically me and my housemates have recently acquired an original Xbox, so as a humongous fan of Abe's Oddysee and Abe's Exoddus I've naturally been contemplating buying Munch's Oddysee and Stranger's Wrath. The only thing that's made me reluctant is the average reviews they've both received.

Average scores according to Metacritic:

Abe's Oddysee: 85
Abe's Exoddus: 88
Munch's Oddysee: 80
Stranger's Wrath: 88

Not really that offputting, surely.

[Connell]

Average scores according to Metacritic:

Abe's Oddysee: 85
Abe's Exoddus: 88
Munch's Oddysee: 80
Stranger's Wrath: 88

Not really that offputting, surely.

But the reviews from the average Joe's like me and you speak the truth.

Abe's Oddysee: 90
Abe's Exoddus: 89
Munch's Oddysee: 64
Stranger's Wrath: 74

[OANST]

Stranger's Wrath should be an 80. If it wasn't and Oddworld game, I would give it a 90.

[Chubfish]

Average scores according to Metacritic:

Abe's Oddysee: 85
Abe's Exoddus: 88
Munch's Oddysee: 80
Stranger's Wrath: 88

Not really that offputting, surely.

I would never let a review score, let alone one from Metacritic, determine what game I should play but I am sure people read these and think they're all the truth.

Still, I wonder why people think anything that has an 80~ score is bad since that's pretty high. But you should never let a review score decide for you. If you like Oddworld, it's at least worth a look, but if you're not that interested then just watch videos or something, that'll give you a good idea of what the game is about.

[Clannfear]

Try Stranger's Wrath man My favourite is Abe's Oddysee but after that - Stranger for sure! Oddworld feel to the max in this one. Munch is (imo) sh!t.

A. Oddysee: 100
A. Exoddus: 80
Munchee: 30
Strangers Wrath: 88

[Sekto Springs]

The wagons in Stranger are an excellent example. It makes me wonder why OWI went with that design instead of the barrel-based architecture in concept art.

One of my biggest issues with SW, besides the obviously uninspired character design, was how equally uninspired the architecture was. Even with the absence of Olds and Farzad, there was still no shortage of really fucking awesome conceptual art for that game. I mean, everything looks better on the drawing board, but I feel like there were a few missed opportunities to make the final appearance far more Oddworldly. And like a good fan, I will not accept any technical or creative limitations as a valid reason for this discrepancy.

At least some of the defunct construction equipment was based on unused concept art for MO. That was kind of neat, but it's not something you notice right away.

[Nate]

At least some of the defunct construction equipment was based on unused concept art for MO. That was kind of neat, but it's not something you notice right away.

What? Where?

[Sekto Springs]

Actually, it might have been Hand of Odd concept art. I don't know. I also don't remember exactly where they are. I think it's where you first find Thudslugs in that little valley on the way to the water treatment facility.

[Wil]

The yellow can-shaped harvester vehicle seen in the art book can be found, modified into a bulldozer, in the tutorial and Eugene Ius mission.

[Crashpunk]

Oddysee : 94
Exoddus: 96
Munch: 80
Stranger's: 85.

I love giving out quick reveiws

[Varrok]

Ratings like "out of 100" are incredibly dumb and pointless.

[Crashpunk]

Not really. It's like the 10/10 scores or 5 stars, They all have reasons behind them.
Metacritic rounds all the critics scores up to make one, definite score and gaming magazine (I'm taking the Official Nintendo Magazine as an example) go by this.

0-19% = Unplayable
20-49% = Poor
50-69% = Average
70-84% = Good
85-89% = Excellent
90+% = Outstanding (Gold Award)

It all makes sense.

[Varrok]

I mean, for one person reviewing, not for multiple reviews combined.

[Wil]

What rating would you prefer individuals give?

[Wings of Fire]

Qualitative ones.

[Varrok]

"Out of ten" sounds more reasonable... 88/100? Why not 87/100

EDIT:
Qualitative ones.

[Wil]

Because they thought it was better than that.

[Varrok]

Because they thought it was better than that.

I think that post deserves a 46,3/100

[Connell]

It doesn't matter if 'out of 100' reviews suck. In this case we can clearly see the general consensus from fans is to avoid Munch's Oddysee, and give Stranger a try... and that Oddysee and Exoddus rock but we all knew that anyway.

[Crashpunk]

Don't avoid Munch's Oddysee! It isn't that bad!

[Varrok]

True, don't!

[Wings of Fire]

I plan to play Much when I run out of other things to do with my life.

Hopefully it's HD and better by then.

[Connell]

Avoid it. It's boring and shit. It's an awful Oddworld game because the atmosphere of the first two just isn't there, and it's an awful game in general because the controls, level designs and many other flaws just aren't up to scratch with modern gaming standards.

[Michael]

All opinions and reviews aside, if the OP was whether or not to buy original XBox copies of Munch and Stranger, I really don't see what the issue is in the first place.

I just checked quickly online on Amazon.co.uk. You can pick up used (but very good condition) copies of Stranger for less than two quid, and again very good used copies of Munch for under one pound (!).

If you really are an Oddworld fan, at those prices just buy them! If it turns out you don't like the games, what have you lost?

One pint of beer
A couple chocolate bars
A train ticket...

List could go on forever

[Wings of Fire]

woah

Train tickets cost a pound in Birmingham?

What the fuck?

[Wil]

Quantitative proof that there's nothing of any worth there.