Thanks my Belgian bro Oddipus. And of course to the lady of gaming Abe Babe.And you're list shall keep growing Abe Babe, you'll seeeeeeee.
You can read further if you like, but let me tell you that Oddworld has found there home with XBOX.They are a perfect couple.To play the game is everything one would hope, and then some.It is a perfect blend of unique gaming with true old fashioned gameplay,and that's just the beginning.There is nothing like playing it and I will be doing so November 8TH no doubt about it.
The first thing to say would be that this game is the most original of all games, in my opinion. It is a launch title and it is again like I already have stated will be running in my XBOX November 8TH.
There are a couple things that I'd like to talk about that some people may not know of yet. One of them is that there are a possible 200+ hours of gaming in this sweet game. That would be about 3 times longer than the two first 2D side-scrollers combined. That's if you check out all the nooks and crannies.Another is there has been some talk at Oddworld internally of an "EDIT" mode, a possible create character or other ideas that they are not letting on yet that invovle Editing.
With DirectX 8 in place, Munch’s Odysee can also utilize bump-mapping, reflection-mapping, sharp textures,you get higher poly counts,the game can now run on true dynamic lighting, something never done at this level,and with up to 64MB of vram storing information such as maps, data, polygons, and animation are a breeze thanks to the power of the XBOX.
The game's main storyline is a double quest in search for the last jar of Gabbit caviar and to save the Mudokon mom. With this last bottle of Gabbit cavier, Munch the last of the Gabbits can save the Gabbit 's from extinction. As the story goes Munch is captured and taken to the Vykker’s laboratory for research and development.You can see Munch riding a gurney into a surgery room,written on his head is "cut here",without going to deep in more details Abe comes to the rescue, and they form a partnership.
Now you can choose who you would like to play at any given time, deciding which character would be best at the appropriate time.now at first Munch has a broken leg, so Abe pushs him in his wheelchair, but eventually munch rips around in that same wheelchair.The two do not get along due to Munch believing Abe has kidnapped him instead of rescueing him.This goes on for a good chunk of the game.
Munch is amphibious, and is spectacular in the water.Water areas are his strong point.But that's not all by a long shot. Munch has a "skull jack" that has been implanted in his head, he is able to control any machinery and let’s you the player take control of that machinery.Abe can control creatures as in the two previous games.Abe has some new toys as well, a item called a "Blitz Packer", some sort of machine guns.real cool and many unique types to choose from. power-ups are also everywhere,in the form of vending machines,there's an expresso machine which doubles your speed,bubble gum that allows you to bounce off and walk on walls, more machines as well to help you build you're stamina for climbing, and strength inhancers.
The outdoor environment's are massive! the indoor ones are beautifully rendered with true dynamic lighting, many locals refineries, haunted locals, it's very expansive indeed. You can feel it's size, it feels alive as you play, screenshots just cannot convey it's vastness and depth to details.
A perfect example of platform adventuring at its best, obstacles, puzzles,smooth animation is in top form as well, they have motion captured every thing in the world it seems.The camera is also extremely solid,. It seamlessly transitions as you move Abe or Munch around the game,It anticipate's the best possible angle for the action for each moment perfectly, no issues here, which can and has been a concern in 3D games.Teamwork is the key to success,in solving all the games very original puzzles, some of the best i've seen and there are tons of them not just one or two nice ones.Abe has tasks that enable Munch to perform tasks and then together they move on. Very well thought of puzzles no switch or key simplicity here.
Abe's a dork, an anti-hero, Munch is the last of his race,together they make beautiful music somehow, and that's what makes the game extra speacial.One thing I love is the sneaking, the stealth in this game is top notch. For example I snuck behind a Slig, a machine gun using beast, picked him up from behind and walked over to a large disposal unit and threw him in,very funny outcomes follow these type antics,and there are dozens of them. Don't forget it can be a 200+ hour game if played to the hilt.I also threw one out one slig a very high window of a building, on and on like this, it's just great. The game is about sneaking, dirty tricks, and getting the jump on their foes.just out and out fun with a very high level of graphics and A.I.
Gamespeak: Will be a larger variety of commands, and even greater interaction between characters.With many more commands available to the player, more details are coming, not all has been implemented thus far, or at least there not saying for the moment.
The Hand of Odd, an online multiplayer game that will let you explore the Oddworld universe with other gamers is up next, and actually in developement.
Then Squeek's Oddysee, the next in the planned lineup, this series is just getting started, and I for one will be playing Munch and Abe this November 8th on my new shiny XBOX.
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I certainly like the sound of this.
