Source: PSM – Number 1 – September 1997
Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee was released for the PlayStation in 1997. While I don’t remember exactly how I acquired it, it was one of the games I had for my PlayStation back in the day. It’s still here on a shelf somewhere.
Oddworld is a fun but difficult game. I don’t think that I ever finished it. However, it has a lot of personality and does a great job creating a dark atmosphere with Soylent Green vibes. Despite the dark feel, it manages to mix in a lot of humor as well. Game play is sort of a cross between a standard 2D platformer and a puzzle game. You control the character Abe with the goal of rescue other Mudokons (the kind of creature Abe is) before they are turned into food. Of course, this is no easy matter. There are a variety of enemies, obstacles and puzzles to overcome. There is a stealth element as Abe can sneak past enemies. Or if it comes to a fight (which it often does) Abe can throw thing (including rocks and grenades) and even occasionally use telepathy to control certain enemies.
Oddworld is an excellent game but it is difficult. Save points are few and far between and you must ultimately rescue at least 50 of the 99 Mudokons. You will have to learn the strengths and weaknesses of your enemies and manage your resources carefully in order to complete this game. Despite it’s difficulty, Oddworld generally got very good reviews and it is well worth playing…even if you don’t end up finishing it.
In addition to the PlayStation, Oddworld was also released for Windows and DOS based PCs as well as the Game Boy. A remake of Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee called Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty! was released in 2014 on the PS4 via the PlayStation Network as well as the PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, PS3, PlayStation Vita and Wii U. I have not tried the remake so I am not sure how it compares. A direct sequel was released in 1998 on the PlayStation titled Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus. This one has also had a recent remake called Oddworld: Soulstorm for the PS4, PS5 and Windows. The third game in the series, Munch’s Oddysee, was released for the Xbox in 2001. This third game was a 3D adventure game and not a 2D platformer though so it is a different experience. I definitely recommend giving the original Abe’s Oddysee on the PlayStation a try and if you like that one moving on to Abe’s Exoddus which has very similar game play with some minor improvements.
The ad above is from the September 1997 issue of PSM. Screen shots are from the PlayStation version of the game.
