I can say, from the screenshots we'd already seen of Stranger's Wrath HD, that this was exactly what I was expecting in terms of visuals. If not, better!

I'm a little surprised that people are disappointed by the trailer. I mean, I can see why, I guess... but all of those things some of you have pointed out have already been showcased in a screenshot somewhere.

How about looking at some of the good things? The wide shots of the outdoor environments are outstanding! The lighting brings whole new life to some of the environments, such as the cavern on the boat-ride area, or the final part of the trailer where Stranger jumps out into the second city (can't recall the name) from a rock tunnel.

The character models look really great to me. I will give you that the Zappfly perhaps isn't as luminescent as we remember, but I think the Fuzzles look awesome! They still look like Fuzzles, just a little more feral, which would make sense given the area. All the other Live Ammo are looking great as well. I'd have to say my favourite is the Rabid Bolemite, but I've always liked that thing. Something about the blue eyes.

And I'm not sure if I'm seeing this right, but some of the special effects look really improved to me as well. Although it's been that long since I played Stranger's Wrath that it could just be me not remembering. Regardless though, an example is that electro-sphere 1:28. Something about that seems significantly improved.

I've always been told that if you're going to criticise something, layer it between, or compare it to, something in it by which you were impressed. They called it a criticism sandwich.

I understand that you've been waiting a long time - but if you're going to complain, at least try doing it without sounding like a complete dick - you guys are great.

Another Abe game? Why? I'm sick of Abe. Make another Munch game. Unless of course they're referring to Munch's next adventure as an "Abe game", which would make sense considering Abe's involvement with Munch's Oddysee.

In addition to the above, ALL character models have been given an update, ammo models have been given a little reworking in places. The framerate seems a it slicker too.

Anyway, we’d be best waiting for the comparison trailer before dissecting whether or not it’s “improved enough”.

Notice they changed the release date to Fall, but only at the end of the trailer. Sneaky gits.

On the topic of another ABE game. i would love another NEW adventure for abe! not 3d but 2d puzzeling.

i felt the change over to 3d didn't have the nice visuals because of the limitations of the time. also the game play was more run around rather than puzzle solve.

that's not so say i don't like munch ;)

Abe sucks and anyone who keeps asking for another abe game literally does not understand why oddworld is a cool series in the first place

^ Agreed.
Unless they come up with a really compelling story for Abe, I really think his part in the Quintology has been played out. Let the poor bastard retire.

Bear in mind that Stewart Gilray's comment is almost definitely refering to Abe HD, which has already been discussed ad nauseum despite us knowing bugger all about it.

I think they're closer to the MO design. They looked kinda different between MO and the original SW.

Only really in the earlier levels. It got much more colourful once you reached the Mongo River.

I'm genuinely interested in knowing what the community are expecting; I'm not after an argument and I'm not singling you, I'm purely interested in knowing what you feel we could do better; bare in mind I still have a little bit more time before I have to sign off on the art stuff.

Maybe you could make the zappfly more electric then? Like in it's eyes.

It looks like there's none of that specular effect (have I got the word right?) You know, when shiny things appear shiny? Like the caravan/trailers; it looks like a solid block in the shape of a caravan has been wrapped in a low-res paper print out. I think it's pretty good for a HD remake anyway. For a HD remake of an old game from 2001, it's probably acceptable. But, I hope in the new games, you'll do things better than that. I'm sure you will :) It looks out of place to have high poly objects with great new textures put side by side with objects that dont seem to have been reworked at all.

Right now, just a high-res video made with a non-(significantly-)lossy codec so that we can actually judge for ourselves how the game looks.


I say this to pre-empt every other response, given that right now it's impossible for any comment on the videos to be based on any facts.

Is us inclusive of you?

Agreed with Nate. The video quality wasn't good and didn't give the game a chance to shine. I understand that you guys are working with an old engine and I don't expect the hugest, most mind-blowing changes. You're pumping as much life as you possibly can into this and that's great. I look forward to the comparison videos.

Bear in mind that some people are incredibly hard to please, have unrealistic expectations, and that they are the noisier ones.

I think some here expected JAW to remake SW and MO from the ground up, or entirely update them rather than just tweak them up a bit so that they look good on HD screens - And while entire remakes for both of them would be great, it simply wouldn't be worth doing IMO. I'd rather see that effort being spent on new content (not including Abe HD which may actually be worth doing considering AO and AE are such old games).

As I keep saying, I think JAW has done enough to breathe new life into the old titles while freshening them up a little and making them more available - And people seem to forget that if OWI hadn't asked JAW to do anything, these games would simply be confined to an obsolete console and lost forever in the mists of gaming history. And (as much as I dislike MO) that would be a shame.

Other than that I agree with STM's suggestion of making the Zappfly's light blue eyes and body a bit more luminescent. :)

Yes, it is. I know nothing about Abe HD beyond what has been publically announced.





I do know a fair bit about XMobb and why they changed the Mudokon Pop design though. I'll get that stuff out there soon enough.

Changed the Mudokun Pop design? Are you talking about Abe A Gogo?

In regards to the zappfly comment, we're trying to make that happen and have been for a little while. Problem is that effect seems to be hard coded to make use of the Xbox architecture, so our codemancers are doing their best to make it function on the PS3

So in fourteen years we've never previously had an explanation for that? In the art book it said it was 'another long story' or something.

I would suggest that it was a ratings issue.

I was actually the one to bring it up first. But what do I know? I'm just impossible to please, right?

A lengthy explanation has been offered multiple times. I even think it's in the FAQ in this very forum.

Wow...XD jokinnn

The story behind the vanishing of Mudokon fingers has been told over and over, but before the Art Book implicated current events in Japan in the change of the Mudokon Pops ad, I for one just assumed it was a later revision to make Mudokon Pops more marketable.

Ah, right.

"Incredibly hard" is what I said, not "Impossible". And I wasn't singling out just you, look at some of those idiotic comments on the PlayStation blog.

So what were you expecting them to do?

Man, what is it with Oddworld and running into problems in Japan.

I respectfully disagree. Abe has, I think, always been touted as the main hero of the series; he was the catalyst that woke the Natives up to their oppression, the beginning of a slow uprising against the Industrialists; and I don’t believe his story would be over as long as there are more Mudokons to be rescued, more Native species in danger and more Industrial hellholes on Oddworld.

Bringing the focus back to Abe way down the line is fine. Even though they were most likely referring to Abe HD, I wouldn't be on board for a new Abe adventure so soon. Abe hogs the spotlight.

Oddworld is massive. I feel like they aren't doing their universe a justice by constantly focusing on one character on one landmass. We haven't even left Mudos yet. SW was great in that it went in a completely different direction visually and creatively, and it still took place on the same continent. I want them to go even further, and show us just how "odd" it gets. New characters, new locations, new messages. Abe's plight represents only one of Oddworld's many conflicts.

Well who knows where Squeek lives you poop?

My one problem is that I don't think SW is the best game to start with to promote Oddworld. For better publicity, it should have been one with a character more people will recognise- Abe! Playstation's former unofficial mascot, once on par with Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon! Should have released MO HD first, perhaps. Still, it looks good of course :)

Bear in mind that Abe was the posterboy for games... in the 90's. Everyone who knows about Abe already likes and knows Oddworld. Stranger's Wrath is more recent, and the gameplay is more accessible to next-gen gamers. I think from a marketing standpoint, it's better promotional material than classic Oddworld.