User Rating: 8 | Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee XBOX
Oddworld is another Xbox exclusive; it was supposed to come out for the PS2 but switched to the Xbox. It is developed by Oddworld Inhabitants, and published by Microsoft, released on the day of the launch and continues to be a strong selling game. This game combines puzzle solving, comedy, awesome graphics, and a totally new look for the Oddworld series in its 3D world. This game uses childish humor, however even the most mature adults cannot resist laughing at the antics of Abe and Munch. When first playing this game you will need to get used to the controls because of the full use of the analog left analog joystick, this will take about an hour. Although the levels do seem repetitive, the different puzzles, comedic movies, and the option to use both Abe and Munch in the game make it a fun and entertaining game to play for a long time. If you like puzzle solving, odd creatures, and immature humor this is the game for you. Graphics The graphics in Oddworld are fantastic. Each character has very high detail and the Oddworld surroundings are even better. When you are walking, or hopping around the world, you will notice shadows cover you than disappear, it will take you a second but then you realize the shadows are actually the clouds blocking the sun! This is one of the first games to incorporate that feature. One thing you have to also understand is that this is a made up world so things are not supposed to look exactly like they would in real life so what you have to focus on is detail. The ground and grass are done very well, you can see his footprints when you walk (or footprint) very well and when you land after being shot up you can see a cloud of dust fly up around you. The movies in between levels are phenomenal; the detail that has gone into every character is incredible. You can tell that they spent a lot of time on the movies and it paid off because they complement the graphics in the game perfectly. The only negative thing about the graphics in Oddworld is that it is so detailed that sometimes you cannot see where you are going because you are in a cave, or the sun is being blocked by a cliff or a cloud. This gets very annoying and will frustrate you a lot of times throughout the game. For most Xbox games the graphics are one of its best qualities and Oddworld is no exception. 9 out of 10 Sound Effects/Music The sound effects in Oddworld are done very well. You can tell the difference of whether you are running, walking, or sneaking. All of Abe's friends talk to you, and it’s pretty funny when you say hello to a group of them because each one of them hears you and responds. Of course it wouldn't be an Oddworld game without burping and farting, this as they probably spent a lot of time on it sounds very realistic. The explosions are also done very well, and when you land it sounds very much like a person hitting the ground falling from very high up. The music in Oddworld is not very obvious when you are playing the game, but it is there. Of course you are not concentrating on the music you are listening to you are concentrating on the game. This game does not let you play your own music, probably because the music is very well matched with the stages of the game such as when you are in a very important part the music gets louder and faster. The characters voices are very funny sounding and along with their antics will make you laugh which makes you enjoy this game even more. The sound effects and music are done very well in this game. 9 out of 10 Gameplay When you first get started playing Oddworld, it will look entirely different than any other Oddworld game you have ever played. It is in 3d, and this is a whole new world for Abe and Munch to go through. It will take you about an hour to get totally used to the controls and game play. At first it is very hard to control Abe and get him to go where you want to go most of the time. This is why they have the very first level, which is for you to get used to the controls. You will also need to get used to which buttons make Abe say the right things because you do not want his friends to get mad at him, you need full co-operation from them to do anything. The save system is the best I have ever seen, it automatically saves when you get to the next level, but there is also a quick save that you can do that will save your game in the exact spot that you are in. It is really nice to have that option, unlike the older games that you would have to start the level all over again. Also it comes in handy if you are about to go into a dangerous place that has a lot of bad guys in it you can save it there so you can try over and over if you keep getting killed instead of starting from the beginning of the level again. The main downfall of the ease of play in Oddworld is that it is very hard and takes very long to get used to the controls, and even when you are used to the controls it still takes a while to get used to how far he can jump and when to switch the camera mode to where you can see everything. 7 out of 10 Long Term Fun You will have fun with this game for a long time. There are many different levels with a lot of different puzzles for you to have fun with for a long time. It takes a long time to beat especially if you are not a "binge" gamer where you play games for like eight hours straight just to beat the game, if you do that this game will be boring after you beat it. It will take you a long time to beat this game because it is so challenging; you will go through almost a whole level and realize you left one of Abe's friends somewhere, or you forgot to get enough fruits, then you will have to go through the whole level again and find them, which is actually fun and not as annoying as it would seem. 8 out of 10 Reviewer's Tilt 8/10 Overall This is a fun game with a few drawbacks that makes it a great game. One of the drawbacks is the camera that you always have to readjust. The other is the controls that you have to get used to. However, the amazing graphics, sound, and game play make up for the little flaws that this game has. If you are an Oddworld fan, you definitely need to get this game, if you just like the game I would suggest that you rent it first. This is a puzzle solving, funny, adventure game that will keep you entertained for a long time. 8.0 -Ben Berry
