Soulstorm Speculation: Flammable Brew vs. Inflammable Flatulence

[kjjcarpenter]

Since the announcement of Oddworld: Soulstorm, there have been many hints about a mysterious new gameplay mechanic that proves to be quite explosive.

Intelligent new mechanics, twisted new devices enabling highly explosive deviousness.

Several subsequent sources last year saw Lanning drop a few hints concerning flammable brew. This included an interview with The 1099, where he states that the mechanic would be "active" and "integral" to the gameplay, and another interview with Waypoint, where he said:

Brew is sticky, and highly flammable. A long time ago, we designed mechanics for liquid fire, like napalm, but with the ability to splash surfaces and coat things, and then ignite it. We've got that going now. And what falls out of that is actually extreme comedy.

There was also an early ARG clue:

FL4MMABL3

If I was a guessing man, I'd wager this flammable brew involves the oppressed mudokon labour force fighting back against the Cartel, turning the source of their addiction into a weapon. As such, I imagine the flammable brew to be something similar to Molotov Cocktails.

So what about the farts? Are they relevant alongside this new mechanic? I didn't see any reason why both farts and flammable brew couldn't exist side-by-side, until I stumbled across this ancient quote from Paul O'Connor, dated May 30th, 2000. It concerns farts in Munch's Oddysee:

Lorne feels we overdid [the farts] last time and has been leaning toward taking it out, but if we come up with a good purpose for it, then it will stay.

Apparently Lanning didn't like the farts too much, at least not to the absurd extent of Exoddus, where Abe turns his own flatulence into an ephemeral warhead. The G4 video reveals Sherry McKenna's similar aversion to this ability. If Soulstorm is an attempt to right the wrong of a rushed Exoddus, does this mean that deadly farts are being withheld? How will you feel if Abe can no longer rend sligs into mincemeat by breaking wind?

Discuss!

[Vlam]

As such, I imagine the flammable brew to be something similar to Molotov Cocktails.

I thought the same thing.

So what about the farts? Are they relevant alongside this new mechanic?

I think it would be a shame to get rid of it. If we're right then this "new mechanic" would still be about Abe throwing an object (as already seen in AO, AE and NnT).

[Silver angel]

Moments with farts always made me smile. Though I'm not fan of toilet humor, in game where so much voilence, dark themes and blood, light fun moments are very good aspect. So if they leave both mechanics, I'll be very grateful.

[V_O_T]

New n tasty was a remake so keeping the original stuff was in their focus. Some of the additions didn't sit well with me like the health bar and bottle caps but I could see why they added it.

But because this is a new game, I welcome any addition that was cut from the original exoddus. What I take away from Whats mentioned above, is a more in depth system that adds to the foundation of say, the rock and grenade throwing. More things to throw and interact with in the world. Perhaps the sticky brew might halter sligs in their tracks while you get time to pull a lever to drop a saw blade on his head. Or maybe we will see more vykker products, where we can use them make the floors slippery and enemies/friends will slide into their comedic doom's.

I would love to see more of the critters play a part as a cosmetic addition to the game. Like in nnt they mentioned boombats getting into the factory.

[kjjcarpenter]

From the MO Interview I just posted:

It's like, some stuff, like emotions in the last game, we had gone over-the-top on, and we went, "This is just becoming very lifelike, but it's just not fun anymore. This is more like being a therapist than being in a fun experience."

Perhaps we'll see a downplay of emotions in Exoddus ... er, Soulstorm, as well?

[Silver angel]

The main question is how Abe gonna flame that brew? Does he always carries matches with him, or what?

[kjjcarpenter]

The main question is how Abe gonna flame that brew? Does he always carries matches with him, or what?

He'll strike two bottle caps together and make a spark.

[Silver angel]

He'll strike two bottle caps together and make a spark.

Why not

[OWI_Alex]

[Vlam]

Perhaps the sticky brew might halter sligs in their tracks while you get time to pull a lever to drop a saw blade on his head.

Or maybe it will be like Wario Land 3:



0:47.

[MrsKJJ]

Or maybe it will be like Wario Land 3:

A good mixture of both Molotov cocktails and flatulence.

[tmakz]

Hmm so nu and old sounds good

[Vlam]

But because this is a new game, I welcome any addition that was cut from the original exoddus.

Speaking of which, Abe might be able to slap Sligs (as suggested by the beta version of AE):

[STM]

That wasn't the beta version, you could slap sligs in the PS1 version of AE.

[Xavier]

In the PC version too.

Vlam, you did play Exoddus, right?

[Varrok]

I bet he prefered Munch's Oddysee for the GameBoy Advance

[Vlam]

I completed the game without knowing that.

[moxco]

I don't think inflammable means what kjj thinks it means.

[kjjcarpenter]

I don't think inflammable means what kjj thinks it means.

(I don't actually know if you're serious or not.)