The whole idea of Spooce seems to make sense, since more spiritual Mudokons would have greater spiritual powers. However, in terms of gameplay it just doesn't work. Early on Munch's Oddysee was being heralded as not so much a game but a life simulator. What we ended up with was of course far from that, and if I have to run about arena-designed levels popping melons I'm going to be very upset. SpooceLocks are the most stupid thing ever on Oddworld. What's wrong with flintlocks, chimelocks and shadowlocks, huh? They were beautiful in Abe's Oddysee, they should come back, along with a more traditional style of possession, without having to stand about chanting over a SpooceBud for ten minutes.
Having said that, they could have a gameplay purpose. In the rain maker pre-MO video, Mudokons were carrying SpooceShrubs and arranging them about the Storm Circle, presumably since they had some mystical property to them. If we do have Storm Circles (they'd better actually make it rain instead of just make water levels rise with no explanation) and other similar Native services in the next game, having to find enough SpooceShrubs could work out as a nice little side-mission so the game can progress.
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