Who doesn't like shooting animals out of a crossbow!
Stranger's Wrath flat-out breaks the first-person/third-person barrier, allowing for seamless transition between a first-person shooter, and third-person action game with the click of a button. Both game play modes work well, each offering a unique style of play. Even with each one being so different, they both work equally well, and you will find yourself using each mode just as much s the other, just in different situations.
The first-person mode could be viewed very much like a first-person shooter, with a very different twist. You use actual animals to shoot at your enemies, such as bees that can used in a machine-gun like fashion, and slugs that operate like shotguns. What's more, beyond the basic type of ammo (electric flies) you have to hunt all of these animals. First by finding the animal your looking for, then stunning it. Due to its ease of use, this never feels quite like busy work you have to do to get by the next boss character. It's a very different, innovative system, unlike anything else you've ever played in any other first-person shooter.
The third-person form could be viewed as your transportation mode, you will find yourself using it largely in part to get from one area to another, and taking care of small amounts of enemies. In third-person you have access to three types of attacks. These include a spinning attack, a head-butt, and ramming into enemies enemies. The first two attacks can be used at any time, but if you run in a straight path long enough, Stranger will begin to lope, throwing back any enemies he hits several feet.
Most of the missions in the game center around hunting down outlaws that are barricaded inside compounds. These missions always revolve around finding a way into the enemy compound, taking out the wanted outlaw's gang, and then facing the outlaw themselves. This can become repetitive, however just as soon as you start to lose interest, the game takes a drastic turn that results in a mad dash to the end of the game, as well as a definite lack of repetition.
The graphics in the game have a dusty, western-looking feel to them, and will definitely add to the sensation that you're in the old west. Stranger's character model is highly detailed, and looks nothing like any other character in the game. Unfortunately, the denizens of this world look very similar, and you can often pick out the same character model four or five times in one town. The thugs that you'll be fighting are even worse in this regard, sharing no more than three models between them.
The audio in the game, especially the voice work, is excellent. When using the game speak feature to converse with the town folk, you they often have very humorous things to say to you. The Stranger himself is even better, talking in a very cynical, quiet tone that truly convinces you that he cares about nothing in the world but his own skin. During battles, classic western music is played, but is quickly forgettable. The voice work is truly one of the highlights of the game.
This game is an amazing change of pace from any other game that has ever come out, and is an excellent new addition to the Oddworld canon. The Stranger is one of the best, most memorable characters in years, and despite his apathetic attitude about the world, by the game's finale you will come to sympathize with him regarding the way he views the world. This is an excellent game that is unlike anything you'll ever play.