I bought Oddworld: Soulstorm, back when it released on the Xbox One - which was about 6 months after it released on the PlayStation, due to some sort of exclusivity deal Sony had going with the creators.
Anticipating the game, and prior to it coming out I picked up Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty to replay the first game with new and enhanced graphics.
These games have always been a favourite of mine, ever since playing Abe's Odyssey back in the day on my uncle's PlayStation 1, there was just something about the bleakness of the story and the world these games were set in which gave me the creeps, but also fascinated me. The intro of the first game is something that will always stay imprinted in my mind.
"This is rupture farms..."
Here's the original intro to the first game from the PlayStation 1, it always kind of scared me as a kid, but at the same time, I really liked the game and would always play it.
Here's the new intro, which I noticed has new sound effects and ADR. I never realised that before, considering most other reboots tend to keep the original sound design.
The Reboot
I just noticed there that the new voiceover for the intro seems a bit more chirpy, and when combined with the updated and bright graphics, it doesn't hold the same tone. But, in saying that, it is great being able to revisit that game with modern graphics, so apart from the dip in tone to a more jovial and lighthearted one, it's still pretty good.
Soulstorm
I did actually notice while playing it that this tonal shift from bleak and depressing to a more carefree and happy one is apparent, but in a way, it doesn't ruin the experience, and the story still feels pretty dark.
In the first game, you find out that your people are going to be eaten so you have to try and break out while trying to get as many of them out as you can. The games are 2D platformer puzzle games, and they are a lot of fun and at times a challenge.
This game is no different than its predecessor, it follows the same gameplay style and presents you with many challenges along the way. On a lot of the levels, you'll be given a number of your people to save, and sometimes while trying to complete the levels some people will get killed; this always leaves me with a feeling of sadness, and a want - or need - to restart the section just to try and get everyone through. Not because I'm a "Completionist" but instead, because I legitimately feel bad for these guys and want to get them out of there.
Gameplay
Things are changed up a fair bit with this one because you're given the option to use items to help complete the levels and get around guards. You can create everything from Smokescreen to conceal yourself, to mines to lay for the enemy patrols.
This dynamic feels a little bit strange for Abe, as he has always been more of a sneaky character rather than a fighter. Although it feels weird giving him weaponry, I'm delighted that these new items don't diminish the challenge, instead, they increase the difficulty in a way, because you now need to use a bit of strategy to know what to use and when to use it.
You can even give some of your followers weapons and they can help defend themselves, which is good, however, the AI is incredibly silly sometimes, and you have to help them out a lot, otherwise, they'll get blown up, or shot down.
The sometimes stupid AI of the NPCs isn't a game flaw and is definitely done with the intention to make the levels a little bit harder, especially for any completionists out there.
The Story
So, after escaping with everyone in the first game, Abe has become a living legend, and a semi-folk hero in a way. Through news bulletins in-game you hear about the escape, and the damage control being run in your wake.
You're still being chased down, even though some of the authorities don't believe you exist. Instead of the news broadcasters knowing about the uprising and escape, they have all put forward the idea that the CEO of rupture farms was trying to defraud investors, and in the process killed all of the workforce.
This adds to the reason he is out for revenge on Abe and his people - which is a great narrative twist for this second installment.
At the start of Soulstorm we open with newspaper clippings talking about the Rupture Farms CEO and then cut to an intense train ride with the operators being pursued by Sligs, and they are worried when they realise they're coming up to the end of the line.
Unsure of what to do, one of them starts to try to get Abe's attention, but he's in a world of his own. Then we cut to 12 hours earlier.
The first mission of the game comes about when Abe and his people have their home raided by the Sligs, and they all need to escape them. While getting away, Abe is separated from the others and must get through the levels to reunite with them and help get everyone to safety.
It is like the first game, in the sense that you're the savior of these people and must protect them however you can. It is a lot of fun, and the challenges do keep your mind working overtime throughout.
There is a lot of trial and error in these titles.
Oddworld
Since playing Soulstorm I went down a bit of a rabbit hole with this franchise and have discovered a lot about it, and its creation, as well as the lore and background of the world they're set in.
This is a great video I found with the creator of this franchise, Lorne Lanning, and he talks about so much stuff from his life that shaped the games he made, it's well worth checking out even if you're not a fan of the games.
Lorne Lanning said that there are ideas for 5 games, which tell the story of Abe, and Soulstorm is just the second part.
I remember there being more games; Abe's Odyssey, Abe's Exodus, Munches Odyssey, and Strangers Wrath, but all of those other games aren't really a part of Abe's storyline, and the release of New 'n' Tasty started a refresh of the franchise as a whole, to get back to the roots of the game and stories they want to tell, without being dictated to by a publisher.
The interview with Lorne is very good and for anyone interested in the history of games and how they came about it's well worth watching.