Despite being born on PlayStation, the last Oddworld game turned out to an Xbox exclusive. It was a fittingly strange quirk of fate for a series that built its reputation on being bizarre.
Thankfully, the balance is now redressed as Stranger's Wrath HD - six years on - arrives on PS3. And, thankfully for us, it holds up well.
A hybrid of shooter and platformer, Wrath places you in the poncho of the titular Stranger. His job: bagging bounties to pay for an operation - one that's going to cure him of a mysterious affliction.
What makes the game stand out - apart from the fact you play as a cat-like version of Clint Eastwood and accept bounties for man-sized chicken people - is the ammo you use. It's alive. You hunt it across lush, but admittedly narrow, prairies before using it to capture bounties.
Sounds mad, but it works well, adding to the humour and sense of place. Bolomites (essentially spiders) will wrap up enemies ready for you to bag them, while Zapflies (electrically-charged flies) stun opponents. There's a decent variety of critters to collect, and the depth here comes from picking the right ammo for the right job.
Cut-scenes are still quality, but while levels buzz with colour, they do feel quite empty and corridor-like. Platforming is also perfectly fine, although having to constantly click R3 to enter first-person during combat is a chore.
But Stranger's Wrath remains fantastic value. It's a great remake and a perfect fit for PS3 - the most sensible thing about this quirky gem.
Comments
18 comments so far...
sened9 on 21 Dec '11 said:
"Having to click R3 to go first-person"
You have to click R3/RS in Skyrim as well but you never said anything about that.
Solaris on 21 Dec '11 said:
People with a ps3 and a bit of soul for gaming should buy this in an instant.A clasic game that deserved so much more sales than it got,on the original xbox(still have my game) and love it.
Reegeee on 21 Dec '11 said:
That seriously is the best negative ever.
Macaqueattack on 21 Dec '11 said:
Absolutely great game, I can't recommend it enough
dwhlufc on 21 Dec '11 said:
Just bought it,still downloading though.
TheLastDodo on 21 Dec '11 said:
I want this but I'm hoping to pick up Vanquish and Bayonetta for a tenner on friday.
What should I go for?
Multiplayerking on 21 Dec '11 said:
Indeed. What's that about CVG? Care to explain?
Megatrons_Fury on 21 Dec '11 said:
Listen up DODO
If you buy this remake instead of getting VANQUISH and BAYONETTA for a tenner i will take back my birthday greetings for you on sunday.
Dont be a DODO.. Buy a 3DO.....
And both games from Platinum games
rhyfel on 22 Dec '11 said:
if you dont download many games do your self a favour and download "strangers wrath" ive got the original on the xbox and its one hell of a underrated classic, and now its in HD its gona look just as good as it plays. there's not many bargains to be had in the games industry now but this game is definitely one.
laminated0 on 22 Dec '11 said:
corkscru74 on 22 Dec '11 said:
Can I be the pedantic person that points out it's pronounced "rawth"?
Revellation on 22 Dec '11 said:
The game looks good and everything, but I'm assuming this review will be in a later issue of PSM3? A lot of stuff from the mag is being published on here before or at the same time it's released in the shop. I just feel a little ripped off is all.
ensabahnur on 22 Dec '11 said:
Fantastic game, go buy it, go on, off you go.
Kezwar on 22 Dec '11 said:
You don't have to in Skyrim, you're supposed to play it first person but the option is there.
balhallam1 on 22 Dec '11 said:
Bought and downloaded it last night. Very good and easy to get into! I would recommed it to anyone!
Does anyone know if Munchs' Oddessy is going to get a HD makeover. Love to get this as well as this is now the only Oddworld game I haven't played.. Thought I saw it was going to be released on PS3 somewhere?
Solm on 23 Dec '11 said:
You owe it to yourself to play this game even if you played the original. Download it now.
Welsh Jester on 23 Dec '11 said:
They really need new Abe games, i had a good idea that they could make a full game with 2D sections and 3D. Basically the game is in 3D but 2D gameplay plus 3D gameplay, with the camera switching depending on the level design. Wasn't fussed on the 3D one but the 2D ones were awesome at the time.
sheah1 on 27 Dec '11 said:
Changing perspective is nowhere near as important in Skyrim as in this (where you have to do it all the time), hell, most people will just stay in first person all of the way through. Stop taking stuff out of context to discredit an author for no reason.