Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee

"An awesome adventure/puzzle game only for xbox"

Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee has been out for awhile now but I didn't pick it up until recently. I bought it online hoping that it would be a fun, trippy kind of game. Did Oddworld live up to my expectations? The answer is definately a yes.

The game starts out with a cinema cut-scene followed by a newspaper article. The cinemas look top notch. The characters and settings are colorful, bold and yes they are trippy. After watching the opening cut-scene, you know you are in for a bizarre game, if you didn't know that already. The creatures in Munch's Oddysee are creative and inspired. Both Munch and his cohort Abe are cool dudes with attitude. Abe is really the star of the game but Munch fits in nicely thanks to different abilities than Abe. Munch is a great swimmer, a skill which is often necessary, and can shock enemies after drinking the proper beverage called zap. Munch is very slow until you happen upon a wheelchair for him and then he really speeds up. Abe Can jump way higher than Munch and can possess various enemies to help out with the stages in different ways. Speaking of the stages, they are just the right length but can get too difficult at times. I encountered more than one stage where I absolutely could not figure out how to go any further. That frustrated me and I had to seek help to get through tough spots. Never the less, Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee is a gratifying experience overall.

I talked about the graphics and a little about the gameplay and now for the controls. There where times when I couldn't get my Mudokon friends to do what I wanted them to. They would often just stand around when I needed them to fight or not follow me when prompted to. This took away from the gameplay a tiny bit. The controls are otherwise good enough.

I gave this game a 9 because it's a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It is so satisfying to figure a part out that was stumping you or complete a level. I like to play the game 1 level per sitting. Even though I've already completed the game I want to play through it again and that sais alot about it's replay value.
I beat the game with angelic karma which means that I rescued most of the mudokons (abes species), fuzzles ( little mcnugget looking dudes) and egg crates. This wasn't easy. The other endings are neutral karma and bad karma. Again there is incentive to play through it again.

I really like this game (obviously) and would recommend it to any fan of puzzle and/or adventure games or people who like characters with alot of charm and personality. I sure hope there is a sequel on the horizon. I also liked the story, about how Munch needed to get the last can of gabbiar to renew his species of which he is the only one left and abes quest to free his brother mudokons. The evil money-hungry vykkers, and gluckons are out to enslave all of Abes people and use gabbit lungs (Munch's race ) for a product. This game is also funny (Butt-flo laxative and gumrot candy) XBOXDUDE OUT

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/12/06