http://www.teamxbox.com/content.php?id=102&p=1
A 4.1 ,out of 5 rating system, but for a true die hard fan of Oddworld such as myself it will be in the 4.8 to 4.9 range, I just know it, I do OK.
By Serenity from Teamxbox,
November 09, 2001
Munch’s Oddysee provides challenging gameplay, stunning worlds, and an interesting storyline, for any aged player. Abe and Munch work together to complete the tasks required of them to successfully progress through the game. I naturally gravitated towards this game because I figured that it would be obtainable for me to play and finish in a reasonable amount of time, and because not much has been published regarding the more advanced levels of the game.
Gameplay
The game begins with a ‘training’ area that shows you how to use the controls to jump, run, and navigate. You begin with Abe, and learn how Mudokon’s collect spooces, chant and open doors. Later on when you retrieve Munch from the Vykkers Labs, you will collect fuzzles by freeing them from their laboratory cages. This may sound frivolous now, but collecting fuzzles will give you a good Quarma rating, and this is crucial to the entire outlook of the game. In fact, if you actually have a bad Quarma rating at the end of the game, you are in for some nasty surprises. Overall bad Quarma throughout the game may end up resulting in a different ending than what you'd get with a better Quarma. Better save those fuzzles.
Another way to keep things going your way is to rescue the Mudokon egg crates as you run into them. You need to pick these up and throw them down the loading chutes. Munch can’t pick these up though, as he has to use a crane to save the fetal mudokon. Vendos are a major help throughout the game. Vendos dispense beverages that allow Munch or Abe to do things like run faster, jump higher, turn invisible, gain health and energy, and upgrade weapons. My favorite Vendo, the Zap Vendo, allows Munch’s headport to throw a lightening bolt at his enemies. It is a very satisfying tool!
Controls
I found the controls easy to use, but there is a learning curve to remembering which buttons do things specifically for Abe, and what buttons do things just for Munch. For example, the B button allows Abe to command his Mudokon friends to do work for him. Munch can use his sonar by pulling the left trigger, and Abe can chant by pulling the left trigger. You can move the camera around by using the directional pad, and center it with the white button. This is especially useful in the Fluoride Tanks level where it is difficult to see around corners and over walls. Controlling the movement of the characters is done with the left analog stick allowing for a smooth, responsive feel to what you have your characters do. The camera can be rotated using the d-pad, allowing you to fully appreciate the lush environments in the game.
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By Serenity
November 09, 2001
Graphics
If you didn’t check out the tons of new exclusive screens from yesterday, you’d better high-tail to the screenshot link to the right. The most impressive detail to me was the quality of the water. It seems to have just the right amount of transparency, and it swirls like real water when Munch swims by. In Abe’s early levels, the trees, similar to pine trees, have excellent detail, the leaves have a realistic texture, and the bark has defining coloration. Early on some people deemed this game childish, or the ‘Mario’ of xbox games. But neither of these ideas is correct. The game has excellent lighting, and retains a ‘dark’ movie like feel throughout the game, (think Dark City). Gameplay is seamless with short loading screens between levels. Each level is extensive, taking 10-20 minutes to clear. The graphics are consistent, and the pre-game movies are worth a second look, just for the clarity of the graphics. Overall, the graphics are nice, but they're not the main strength of the game.
Audio
I found that the noises associated with doing things, such as jumping, swimming, gathering spooces, etc, were very impressive, and unique. When enemies chase you, there is defining, faster-paced music which escalates the situation. Personally, I would have enjoyed more in-game music tracks, as it seemed to get a little quiet for my tastes at times. However, this allowed you to hear every detail of what was going on. You’ll want to explore the “Gamespeak” yourself, to learn what Abe and Munch say to their companions. And of course, the important functions of farting and belching are available as well; just hold the X button.
There are several ‘machines’ used throughout the game-- my favorite being the “Snoozer”, which Munch uses by remote control. It puts the bad guys to sleep and also has a cannon type of gun underneath it to blast it’s way around. There are some other fun machines, but I don’t want to spoil them all for you. Look forward to possessing your enemies, fighting sligs, and saving egg crates.
All in all, Oddworld is an enjoyable game. Not too stressful or repetitive, but with a strong plot and graphics that'll satisfy most. Replay value is medium, and it crosses enough genre lines to make it a good game for a lot of different gamers. If you didn’t get a bundle with this game in it yet, I suggest you add it on when you get your Xbox.
I love this game...........
[ November 09, 2001: Message edited by: Steel Shark ]
TeamXbox reviews Munch........
