When I was 9 and lurking around the aisles of Toys-R-Us for a new Playstation game, I did what any pre-teen boy would do; go by how awesome the box art looked. One game, which I don’t remember the title of but had a nice cover, caught my attention. However, the 30-dollar price sticker was a bit steep. My step-dad picked out a different game for less than 10 bucks. I stared at the box wondering what the hell I was looking at. The strange blue man on the front and the title really stuck out to me, “Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee”. Seeing as we were a bit short on cash, we went with this game instead. History would be made…
Imagine a world so bleak, so dangerous, so bizarre, so violent, so….odd. Oddworld is one of the most unusual, outlandish, and peculiar cinematic platformers ever made. It also holds the prestigious title of being my favorite game of all time! Abe’s Oddysee is an often overlooked, but beloved cult-classic. In the 90s, every console needed a mascot, sometimes several. Mario, Donkey Kong, Sonic, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, etc. Director Lorne Lanning was approached by Sony during the Playstation’s infancy and tasked with creating something unconventional. An icon that would stand out amongst the crowd. One that was outside the box, a character nothing short of…odd. In 1997, a strange figure named Abe would emerge to say “Hello”.
Oddysee takes place in an alien world called Oddworld, go figure? It is a harsh and unforgiving place where weaker species are enslaved by the planet’s wealthy elites. Our unlikely hero, Abe, is a simple floor waxer in a meat processing plant. Rupture Farms is a place that rivals Hell in its horror. The plant has butchered the region’s wildlife into near extinction. Rupture Farm’s board of directors are horrified at the notion of profits plummeting once their supply runs dry. Therefore, “The Meanest Boss in the World”, CEO of Rupture Farms, Mullock the Glukkon assures them he has this all figured out. What the market needs is something new and tasty. His latest product- Mudokon Pops. The secret ingredient; YOU! Abe, horrified by this morbid plan, flees in terror. To make a bad situation even worse, the security camera saw everything. A bounty is placed on his head and he must escape and save his species.
This is not your run-of-the mill platformer and Abe is not your everyday protagonist. Unlike Mario or Sonic, Abe is not cool, slick or confident. He’s awkward, clumsy, scrawny, and fragile. Whether it’s bullets, claws, teeth, or explosives, Abe is emphatically, NOT a man of strength and durability. Odyssey also stands out from other platformers, having what others most certainly lacked, depth. While the game could be considered a black comedy, it has very deep and serious themes. Slavery, genocide, extinction, exploitation, and corporatism are story elements you certainly won’t find in Banjo-Kazooie. Lanning described the game’s narrative and influence as a mix of Star Wars, Sesame Street, George Orwell and even religious scripture(Abe is named after the biblical figure). Truly an odd mix, wouldn’t you say?
Oddysee is a side-scrolling cinematic platformer. Seeing as Abe is an incredibly fragile character, the player must rely on stealth and wits to survive. Armed enemies will shoot Abe on sight and wildlife will chase you relentlessly to eat you alive. A variety of tactics to deal with these obstacles- sneaking in and out of shadows, leading enemies to meat grinders, lethal electric gates. Or my personal favorite, possession. Abe has the power to possess certain enemies. You can utilize their firearms to blow others out of their boots. While Abe is a clutz, you get a really good feel for him while walking and running. He feels like he has weight to him when moving. Climbing up on platforms is very simple- stand underneath and press up to hoist yourself. You can also run and jump- this will be utilized to clear gaps and climb up when being chased by an enemy. It might be a bit tricky at first, but once you get a hang of how Abe moves, you should be able to get by just fine.
The main objective of the game is to save as many of your fellow floor waxing schmucks from being turned into tasty treats as possible. The game utilizes a ‘gamespeak’ feature through a series of phrases and commands. Approach a Mudokon, say “Hello” and “Follow me’ and lead him to freedom! Keep in mind, they’re just as weak and brittle as you are. Stay cautious and take things slow. One HUGE drawback to this title is you can only lead one Mudokon at a time, leading to tedious backtracking. The difficulty has a large learning curve and the checkpoint system is pretty unforgiving. Thankfully the current-gen release implements a rewind feature, very much needed for newcomers.
This is one of the most beautiful games of its generation. Everything from top-to-bottom is packed to the brim with creativity. The world and the creatures who inhabit it are some of the most unique I’ve seen. Mudokons- a peaceful native species. Glukkons- soulless corporate overlords. Sligs- trigger happy security forces, and many more. Environments range from cold and industrial to luscious forests and ancient temples. Two locations stand out in particular- The first being The Stockyards; no man’s land surrounding Rupture Farms. The Stockyards contain a juxtaposed atmosphere of dread and optimism. You have made it this far and freedom is just outside your reach while simultaneously fearing the unknown of what lies ahead. As you progress, the thick polluted clouds begin to clear. The oppressive and industrial environment gives way to a natural landscape with gorgeous cool water colors and a bright shining full moon. Once cleared, this leads into the second. The grandiose Monsaic Line Temple, home to the Native Mudokons. Once you find your way to the Natives, the temple they inhabit is nothing short of breathtaking. The temple is inspired by Native American and Tibetan-Buddhist imagery. The Monsaic Line Temple creates one the most immersive and visually appealing environments I’ve ever seen in a game. Containing ancient statues, shrines and meditating monks, this is where the player starts to explore and learn the lore of the land and his people.
With responsive controls, stunning design, and a fleshed out story, Abe’s Oddysee stands amongst its peers as a frustrating but fun experience. With themes of freedom and rebellion, Oddysee makes this alien world feel surprisingly human. A classic of the genre, I can’t possibly sing this game’s praises enough. This was the game that showed me there was more to games than just collecting rings and jumping on turtles (no disrespect). Games need to take note, don’t be afraid to be …odd. Put down that floor wax, rise against your oppressors, and lead your people to freedom. Odd bless us, everyone.
-Fil Zahnko
Verdict: 11/10 (My own personal bias)