http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/november01/oddworldxbox/
They gave it a 84. The same place that gave the great Halo a 85. Halo has been receiving mid to upper 90's everywhere else. I quess they have that required taste that's needed for Oddworld games over at Gamespy.
Here is the review:
Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee (Xbox)
It's an odd, odd, odd, odd world.
By - Raymond "Psylancer" Padilla
Never has a developer been so aptly named as Oddworld Inhabitants, the company resonsible for crafting Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee. This bizarre creation, which mixes puzzle and platform gameplay into an adventure, is one of the most offbeat games ever made. It's a testament to the Xbox's ability to make developer's visions come to life and, more importantly, a brain-teasing good time for gamers.
There are two protagonists in Munch's Oddysee: Abe and Munch. Gamers familiar with the Oddworld series will remember Abe as the Mudokon hero of the first few games. This time he teams up with Munch, the last of the Gabbits. These are definitely two of the weirdest-looking heroes in gaming history. Mudokons are humanoid in shape, but have lizard-like skin, big eyes, red ponytails, and mouths that look like they're sewn together with leather. The amphibious Gabbits, on the other hand, are much smaller, but have disproportionately large heads, even bigger eyes, and a single leg.
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Equally uncanny is the game's story line. The enterprising, but amoral, Vykkers Labs (creators of the Butt-Flo laxative and Gum-Rot candy) have killed all but one of the Gabbits to produce a delicacy known as Gabbiar. The company uses Mudokons as slaves and tests its products on the cute Fuzzles. Abe and Munch must stop the Glukkons, free the Mudokans and Fuzzles, and most importantly, get the last batch of Gabbit eggs to ensure the survival of Munch's race. The story sharply contrasts with game's cute (in a peculiar way) characters adding to its dark humor. Abe and Munch are adorable in their flatulent and burp-spouting ways, but they're dealing with genocide, slavery, animal experimentation, and environmental destruction.
Yeah, the story and characters sound totally messed up, yet they're totally believable. Part of the reason is the game's outstanding graphics. In the outdoor areas, the trees, rocks, and water are immaculately detailed. The same goes for the indoor levels, which have a gritty, metallic, and sterile look. The numerous environments of the game have lifelike detail, enabling you to suspend your disbelief. While the Oddworld games on the PlayStation had the gameplay and humor spot-on, they still looked like games. The power of the Xbox has finally allowed Oddworld Inhabitants to make its vision come to life.
Adding to the games personality is its excellent voice acting, most of which is provided by Oddworld CEO Lorne Lanning. The playful comments by Abe and Munch are distinct and unique. They're alien enough that they fit the characters, but at the same time have a certain charm that makes you identify with and want to root for them. Although the music is appropriate for the game, it's mostly forgettable. You won't be humming any tunes from this game the same way you would tracks for Mario or Zelda games.
Next: Gameplay...
Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee (Xbox)
It's an odd, odd, odd, odd world.
By - Raymond "Psylancer" Padilla
Munch's Oddysee uses basic gameplay elements and implements them in unique ways. There are standard platform tasks like running, jumping, navigating, and collecting items, in this case, Spooce. However, they are integrated into some very clever puzzles and cooperative gameplay that really add depth. Each character has unique abilities. Abe is nimble on land, can get other Mudokons to help him, get Spooce to grow, and create orbs that can temporarily possess enemies. Munch is a mercurial swimmer, has a kinship with Fuzzles, and thanks to a Glukkon-implanted device, can emit electricity from his head which is great for zapping villains and controlling machinery. Figuring out which character and what powers to use makes for gameplay that is far more cerebral than that found in a typical platform game.
Gamespeak is another vital part of the game's mechanics. As previously mentioned, Abe can coerce his fellow Mudokons to aid him. However, they are very lazy and not very bright. Abe must tell them when to follow him, stay, fight, and help. Munch can instruct the Fuzzles in a similar manner. Gamespeak combined with the duo's specific powers and the typical platform conventions make for some compelling puzzles. One of my gripes about the game is that the controls, Gamespeak in particular, aren't always responsive. You'll dole out commands only to watch your allies stand around and get pummeled. Sometimes the initial fight command is listened to, but your team won't move on to the next enemy. Yes, Mudokons are supposed to be dim, but they should know to defend themselves rather than stand there while they get smashed.
To give you an example of a puzzle I'll deconstruct an early level. The duo reach a rise that Munch cannot jump to so Abe must throw him up. Next they reach a lake so Abe is stuck. Munch will swim, collecting Spooce along the way, and reach land. There he will free some Fuzzles and Mudokons, revealing a lever that activates a launcher where Abe was standing. After Abe is hurled across the lake, he will get the freed Mudokons to chant, which unlocks a launcher in the lake. Munch will swim to the newly revealed launcher and get hurled to the top of the mountain. Conveniently there's a crane control that Munch uses to drop some explosives on enemies and clear a path for Abe and the others. Abe and the gang beat up the remaining slavers and reunite with Munch. Finally, the Fuzzles are freed and the Mudokons chant, revealing the level's exit.
Finding the elegant solution to the puzzles makes the game engaging early on. The plethora of abilities, power-ups, and machinery at your disposal really require you to think. Thankfully the game's excellent tutorials make things easy to understand. My favorite puzzles are the ones that had me so caught up in the game's conventions, that I overlooked the simple and obvious solution. The unlimited continues ensured that I never got too frustrated and remained engaged. Having said that, the game does get repetitive. Gamers that do not have a predilection for platform and puzzle games will probably not get into the game; despite its originality, it will not create any converts.
Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee is being positioned as the Xbox's Mario 64 or Crash Bandicoot. However, it really transcends that role. Although the aforementioned games were great and certainly furthered their genres, Munch's Oddysee is the kind of title that will get game development noticed as an art form. It's so obviously a labor of love. The characters and story are unlike anything on the market and ooze personality. This is by far the most creative Xbox launch game, but it suffers from repetitiveness and unresponsive controls. Still, it will clearly appeal to platform-game aficionados, those that feel they've outgrown the genre should give it a try as well.
Next: Scores...
Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee (Xbox)
It's an odd, odd, odd, odd world.
By - Raymond "Psylancer" Padilla
Pros: Clever gameplay and puzzles; superb voice acting; imaginative and realized world.
Cons: Forgettable music; gameplay can get repetitive.
Pros: Dazzling graphics; some large, yet detailed levels; Pixar-like cutscenes.
Cons: Controls can be unresponsive; ally AI is problematic; sound effects don't really push the system.
Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee is the type of game that will help game developers garner respect as artists. From gameplay to story to graphics, it's incredibly imaginative and intelligently fun.
Game Reviews Rating System