Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee
[Xbox]

Oddworld has actually lost a lot of it's oddness in this sequel. Adding in "Vendos" which are various vending machines throughout the world that allow Abe and Munch to jump higher, run and wheel chair faster has really made this game more of a joke than the sneak to live style I enjoyed in the PSone predecessors.

The story is one of those story's that I'll work through and stay with just to see what happens to the characters, but it's not the kind that keeps me fully entertained and coming back for more. A lot of the games elements make it more of a chore to advance than a fun experience. Munch's Oddysee flows pretty solidly for the most part, but it just has points that leave me wanting to take it out, case it, and trade it in for store credit. The originals were platformers at heart, but there was only one direction to go. In this one, Abe and Munch are required to do a lot of strange circular platforming and it just doesn't work to well with the stubborn controls and awkward camera. The camera is controlled with the D-pad which calls for strange finger movements during rapid gameplay. Instead of using the right analog to manipulate the camera like they should have, they assigned the right analog to bitch slapping (Abe) and zapping (Munch). In case you're wondering, the enemies in this installment are ultra tough and Abe and Munch aren't exactly the best suited for taking them on hand to hand.

One more gripe. Most of Oddworld is fairly entertaining with adorable characters and sickening acts of violence that make me want to hurt the bad guys which is a good sign for the story developers. Most of the time this story does a good job of keeping me involved and such, but there are many moments where I'm left wandering aimlessly in a huge world with no direction what so ever. This is BAD.

The graphics are very impressive for a title released right along side the launch of the X-Box. The sounds of the adorable things are cute and happy. The sounds of the evil things are annoying and repetitive. Farting and burping never gets old. Especially hearing 20 Mudokens laughing their asses off and knowing I caused it with flatulation. Munch's Oddysee is worth a rent. If you like the series like I do, then it's worth it's price tag of $9.99. Just play it...

Experience 7.5
Control 6
Graphics 8
Sound 7
Overall 7.5

---Frayed