ODDWORLD- Abe's Oddysee

SYSTEM: Sony Playstation
DEVELOPER: Not sure, if you know please inform us.
PRODUCER: GT Interactive Software
PRICE: N/A
RATED: Teen, ages 13+
PLAYERS: 2
MEMORY CARD: 1 Block

 This review may be a little pre-mature, but I now feel confident enough about the game to give an accurate review as to how I feel about it.

Basically, I've played this twice. Not just two times, but two different ways. The first time I played completely on my own. No suggestions, codes, or even a hint book. The second time I played, I had bought a hint book that reveals where all the hidden Mudokons are (Which are what you are trying to save, more on this later in the review). The difference between the two was amazing. I missed so much the first time that I probably only seen about 20% of what was in the game at the point I stopped.

Here's your basic story to the game: You are Abe. Abe is a Mudokon slave. Abe is an ignorant, but happy floorwaxer in Rupture Farms (The most dangerous slaughterhouse in OddWorld). Rupture farms had driven Meeches, Scrabs, and Paramites close to extinction. Abe's bosses (owners) needed a way to boost profits, so they came up with a plan. They needed a new meat. This meat turns out to be the Mudokons, so it's up to Abe to save his buddies before they end up on the dinner table.

If you have read any of my other reviews, you already know I'm not too big on telling the stories involved in the games I rate. To me, they're good to have, but I generally don't get too involved in the plot. I won't explain this plot any further here either, but I will say it is a very good. Additionally, this game is only the first of a planned five part series that will reveal more about OddWorld as the series progresses.

Even if your like me, and are not into stories, I highly suggest you view the intro screens. The Graphics are some of the best I have seen on the Playstation to date. This game was a big production, and it's very apparent even from a first glance. GT Interactive has done very much to insure that this series would be a hugh success, and as far as I can tell it will be.

The characters are all highly animated, and have very fluid movement. Some of the smoothest I have ever seen. It took a while for me to get the moves down, but once I did, it was pure gaming joy.

In OddWorld, you must solve puzzles, and speak to and convince fellow Mudokons to follow you to safety. The GAMESPEAK you use regualry are: Hello, Angry, Wait, Follow Me, Whistle (High), Fart, Whistle (Low), and Laugh. On top of this, you even have the ability to possess certain characters to help you solve your puzzles. There are no menus, inventory bars, or scoring. You have infinite lives to solve your puzzles. Sounds easy, but it's not.

OddWorld is HARD! REALLY HARD!! As I said before, I ended up buying a hint book, and I'm still near the beginning of the game. This game is hugh, and rescuing all 99 Mudokons is sure to take a great deal of time even with a detailed hint book.

OddWorld is very frustrating too! At one point, I spent about 4 hours a night, for 3 nights trying to save 2 Mudokons. Once I did, I was elated, and promptly saved my game then went to sleep. In the morning I found I had to do it all over again because this wasn't at one of the (invisible to us) save points within the game.

In most cases, frustrating games like this would end up on my shelf very quickly. Oddly enough though, OddWorld keeps sucking me in.  It's way too good to put down!! I may smash a few controllers, but I'm determined to save all 99 Mudokons and quickly buy the next in the series (Which will be released very quickly).

I really only have three gripes with the game. Two major flaws, and one minor. None bad enough to keep me from recommending this game though. Number one major flaw: The save points. In a game like this you should be able to save anywhere. I hated playing for hours to complete a task, only to find I couldn't save till a few more were completed. The game is hard enough as it is, you shouldn't have to repeat complex tasks that you already completed. Number two major flaw: When you save, you cannot overwrite your previous save without deleting first. If you don't delete, the game will automatically save in your next open slot on your memory card. Quickly filling it up. Why this was left out, I cannot understand! It is very frustrating to have to delete a file, before you save. It takes a great deal of time, and is quite annoying for a game that you wish to save often (especially when your un-sure of where the save points are). There should've been an "Overwrite file" prompt in the game. Number one minor flaw: You can only talk to, and deal with one Mudokon at a time. I would've liked to see a way to control more then one at a time.

Other then the previous gripes, the game is near perfect. It is original, has great graphics, fluid animation, great sound effects, great graphical effects, and is one of the best 2D games ever made. Yes, it is frustrating, but trust me, you'll love it!!! It's not for little kids, but everyone else will have a blast!
 
 

RATINGS
GRAPHICS 98%
SOUND 97%
GAMEPLAY 85%
ORIGINALITY 95%
REPLAY VALUE 88%
OVERALL 93%