#Oddworld strangers wrath plot twist full#

The title is just chock full of little details that make it stand out – for example when in first-person mode, the living ammo moves and animates on its own – stunkz will fidget impatiently while bees will point their stingers outwards ready to be fired. Another feature I loved was the use of lens flare, particularly when running through vast stretches of desert and looking up at the sky. Thankfully the team at Just Add Water took extreme care in porting Stranger’s Wrath to the handheld, leaving it as a stunning title that can go toe-to-toe with the majority of Vita-native games. Sixth-generation games have made their way over to Vita with mixed results – some still look great ( God of War), while others lose their lustre ( Jak II). Each location feels unique – whether it be the dusty desert settlements of the Clakkerz or the frosty Viking-esque areas around the dam, they all evoke certain emotions yet feed into a connected and coherent feeling world.įew games have kept me as enthralled as Stranger’s Wrath in recent memory and once the game kicks into overdrive in its second half, I couldn’t stop playing until I saw it through – which is about the biggest compliment I can give. This feeds back in to another element of the plot, which is its environmental message which is superbly on-point. Ultimately just like Abe’s adventures before him, Stranger has to confront an unethical corporation and tyrannical leader (who isn’t nearly given enough screen time sadly) to help liberate a native species and the way it unfolds is truly special. I felt compelled to help out and the rush I got from hearing these creatures rallying alongside me was thrilling.Īs expected, the world built here is captivating – a continuation of previous Oddworld titles (with a few backwards nods in there for good measure) yet with its own unique twists. There aren’t many side characters, but the ones who are here are brimming with energy and unique quirks – whether it be the irritating southern Clakkerz or the timid Grubb, you’ll come across species and people who just instantly connect you to this bizarre world and make you root for their cause. There is a good chunk of humour injected through the side-cast, which helps lighten the tone during the game’s darker moments. Stranger himself is stoic and unlikable at first, but watching his transformation from self-serving hitman to legendary warrior is inspiring and I was rooting for him all the way. Partially, this is due to the characters.

Whether or not you have any knowledge of the Oddworld IP, Stranger’s Wrath tells a unique and compelling tale. What starts off as a simple quest to catch outlaws and gather money slowly morphs into something far more sweeping and epic that I wasn’t expecting – meaning I was hooked for the duration of the 8 hour journey. Storytelling is never more than a few sparse cutscenes and the odd comment from an NPC, yet there’s a constant feeling of things happening and the world changing. Overall, this was one of my favorite XBox games, so I am a little biased, but Oddworld Inhabitants did a great job.While previous Oddworld titles focused on the Mudokon Abe freeing his brethren, Stranger’s Wrath introduces a new protagonist – Stranger, a mysterious bounty hunter complete with Clint Eastwood-esque gruff tones and a cowboy hat. The game focuses on his journey to gather enough moolah to pay for a mysterious operation and the ultimate destiny he has to confront along the way. Finally, the twist of Stranger being a Steef was well done and gave a new bit of gameplay variance in the process. The characters were great, and helped to give the game a lighter, more comical tone compared to the main plot line. The progression felt smooth, and I never felt like I was doing lame side missions as part of the main storyline. Regarding the story, I found it very compelling while keeping the mystery of the Stranger throughout. Some parts were quite frustrating, but you were always capable of overcoming whatever obstacle was before you.

The enemies never got boring, and their tactics changed over time.

Switching seamlessly from running around on all fours to pulling out your crossbow is quick and simple.Īs far as gameplay, there was always enough diversity to keep me interested. Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath is one of the best combinations of first and third person I have ever seen.