Guns, Outlaws, talking chickens, natives that look like penises, it doesn't get much better, or much more fun!
I had high expectations for Stranger's Wrath, it didn't have to be a technically great game, but it had to restore my faith in Oddworld, and as this was before it was announced they were getting back into game development, it had to be one last final hurrah for Oddworld, it had to be our last glorious embrace. And in four simple words, I was not disappointed. You can stop reading now, in fact perhaps I should stop the review now? But I shall push forwards-don't give up reviewer!-Whether you like or not.
When I first started I was apprehensive, it was more Spaghetti Western than Oddworld. There were talking chickens and cats instead of green people with their lips sowed together, and there were beautiful sandy towns instead of dark grey industrial factories. Not to mention you had a gun! However there's not much more Oddworld than a gun that shoots cute small creatures…
After I got over the initial shock, my love for Oddworld was rekindled. Now that I've got the auto-biography out of the way, I should probably get on with the review. Stranger's Wrath follows a bounty hunter who goes by the name of Stranger. He needs an operation for some mysterious ailment, and the best way to make money is hunt down bandits, capture them by sucking them into his bag with the X button. Of course it's not as simple as that, before you can get to the head honcho you've got to take out his bandits. Now if the fact that you're shooting cute creatures at enemies isn't enough for you to work this out I'll spell it out for you-Oddworld is not a traditional shooter. Getting through the bandits isn't run and gun, it's a strategic puzzle, and trust me, when there are 20 bandits trying to kill you you'll have to think about what you're doing. You'll have to utilise all the different types of ammo. Perhaps you'll immobilise one group of bandits with Stunkz (they stop a group of enemies) while you lure in a group of enemies with the Chippunk and then blast them with the exploding Boombats. To make matters a little bit harder, you can make far more money if you capture the bandits alive. So while you've got those two groups stunned, you better start sucking them up, of course they don't stay stunned for long...
When you've taken out the bandits you come to the boss. They're not the most complex bosses to take down, but they can prove a challenge to capture alive, as you've got to survive for a fair bit longer, than if you were to just blast them until they died. Nevertheless, they are usually a satisfying climax to a level, and when you're surrounded by bandits and the boss, provide an enjoyable challenge.
Just as the story begins to ramp up, you're hit with a brilliant twist. Unfortunately the twist changes the structure to a far more open yet traditional shooter. No longer is it necessary to capture the enemies alive, and with your ammo being beefed up, it becomes a little more run and gun. That, and the lack of bosses, would make the second half of the game a little less engaging, if the story didn't hit its stride, and in cIassic Oddworld-fair you'll be fighting for natives against the nasty scourge of industry! And boy are the natives' surroundings beautiful! In fact the whole game is beautiful, the chicken-like Clackers are small chubby birds full of personality and zest, and they live in rich 1800s western-styIe towns. The country side ain't bad either, there are rocky mountain sides, dark caves, and old ruins. But it amps up when the second half begins, everything gets much, much bigger, from huge docks, to large cities and industrial complexes everything is beautiful, and with the blue electricity of Zappeflies, and the fiery explosions of Boombats your enemies will be dieing in a way that does justice to their surroundings!
However, it's a little disappointing to hear how poorly recorded the voice acting is. A lot of the time I had trouble understanding what was being said due to the muffled sound of the voices, it's especially odd considering the crisp quality of the sound effects and the musical score. It's a shame too, as the script certainly had its moments, though I must admit that at times the jokes fell a little flat.
I've been a little critical in this review, but they're more from an Oddworld fan's point of view, than a gamer's. It's one of the best Xbox games I've played, it may have its problems, but it should be remembered among the Xbox's best. And despite the criticisms, it's a fine swan-song for Oddworld, (though it isn't a swan-song now!) they managed to take Oddworld in a new direction quite successfully, and perhaps that was the problem with Munche's Odyssey. Maybe it was just too much of the same thing, perhaps Stranger's Wrath was what Oddworld needed to revitalise the series, and my love for it! Either way my love is as strong for Oddworld than it ever was, and I eagerly await their what they come up with next (here's hoping *crosses fingers*). I just hope it's not on the Xbox 360, or I will suffer all over again! Oh, why do I still love you when you torture me so? You're no good for me, Oddworld, but I love you all the same!