By Abe Babe

How time flies. Just over three months ago I got my Xbox and Munch's Oddysee. Several weeks later the initial review was written. Well here we are back again for the final review. I never meant to leave it this long, hey, the Xbox is actually out here in Australia tomorrow, so what better time to get my act together. Well it wasn't so much that... I wanted this to be a proper review, none of these quick, I've played the game ones that you see on the gaming sites. Not that there's generally anything wrong with that, but being an Oddworld fan, it's different. So almost two times through playing Munch's Oddysee, here it is... Oddworld-Web's final review! All I can say is that these were totally stunning. From start to finish every one of these was a masterpiece! Not only were they detailed in every way, but they also combined a great storyline and humor. Intertwined with the main FMVs are a series of shots featuring the Daily Deception. These take you through the storyline and often feature a report on some part of the game that you have just completed, but also give updates on Queen Margaret's health status. Overall, the FMVs were very effective and are one of the highlights of the game in particular, the final FMV which will be covered later. As I continued to play the game I found myself finding more about the characters. My initial impressions that I adored Munch and Abe were still kept intact. However as the game progressed I also encountered many of the industrial characters including Big Bro Sligs and Vykkers. Now these guys were totally hilarious. Some of the dialogue kept me laughing for a long time. Oddworld certainly knows good humor! Another unique twist is that when you had possessed an industrial character you could actually go up to another industrial character and start insulting him. Although this would almost always end up in a brawl, it was another unique twist on the game.

Although I covered Abe and Munch in the initial impressions, I will touch on them further here. Back on the comical side of things, if Abe or Munch farted/burped, the other had a lot of funny things to say. Throughout the whole game, these characters were two that I could relate to. I could see parts of myself in both of the characters which helped me to relate to the game a lot more. This was especially the case the second time around. Fuzzles remained adorable, and Mudokons ... well they were Mudokons, always great guys, even if they do complain a lot! I found the gameplay through the entire game to be just what I expected it to be. Always challenging, but not too difficult that you weren't able to get through an area. If anything, my only complaint would have been that the last level (Vykkers Suites) was a little too easy, I actually found the second last level to be the most difficult of the game.

I found that all characters were easy to control, in particular Abe and Munch. Although usually when one controlled a baton Slig you would get pulverized to death by your opponent.

The only thing that was missing from the gameplay was the lack of hidden Mudokons and areas. There were a few dotted throughout the levels, but not as many as I would have liked. Being someone who loves to explore, I usually like hidden areas and things that are hard to find. Although this was a disappointment, it was only a minor one in the scope of things, and did not make me have a negative feeling about the game at all, it was simply a personal preference thing. My final impressions of the controls were much like my initial impressions. I find the Xbox controller to be very comfortable to use and the button positions are just right.

The use of the A button as the action button just made the game so much more simpler. Remember having to remember all of the button combinations in the first two Abe games on the PlayStation. Sure you got used to them, but it was never as easy as this. Stand in front of a Vending machine and press the A button, you've got a power-up. Use it to read information screens, pick up Mudokons when you are standing behind them, jump when you are almost anywhere else. In my opinion this was one of the best things about the controllers.

The other buttons worked well also. The pressure sensitivity helped, enabling the use of one button for two features (i.e. Greet/Greet All, Work/Attack, etc). Once again, no more remembering of too many combinations.

The thumbstick also proved to be very effective in it's use. I liked the position of it at the top of the controller as opposed to the bottom of the controller on the PlayStations systems. It too had pressure sensitivity which allowed for different actions such as run, walk and sneak. Overall I still couldn't find a complaint with the camera system. I found it very smooth to use and it always seemed to follow my characters around well. The only point during any time I played that I found a flaw was during the ... level. I was jumping up the ledges on the sides of the mountains and Abe disappeared from my view. It just seemed like a delay as quickly the camera did catch up with him. And I must admit that I had changed the angle previously. Other than that, it was almost flawless, I even found running on thin ledges to be fine, as the camera always put me in a position where I wouldn't have to keep adjusting it to run straight. The only future improvement I could recommend would be a zoom feature if you wanted to be closer to the character rather than back from them. What else can I say. The more I played the more impressed I was with them. The detail during the game play levels was totally amazing. Even the clouds overhead gave shadows on the landscape below. Every attention to detail had been included in the game, from detail on the characters faces to that of the buildings, trees and other landscape features. One even wonders if graphics can get better than this!

The sound was interesting. I loved the native sounds of the outdoor levels, and also just the general game play music. The only thing I didn't like was sometimes the techno music which played when a bad guy was near didn't turn off like it usually does. As I'm not a huge techno fan this got a little irritating. However when the music was on in small and appropriate amounts, it was effective and brought that sense of urgency to the game. I was also impressed with the sound effects, little things like hearing the native environments around you. And the fact that you could hear groups of Mudokons and Sligs talking when nearby was also a good addition to the game. Although I have yet to get the bad ending (and doubt that I will, as I hate killing Mudokons and Fuzzles), the final FMV for the good ending it superb. Not only does it display the life like graphics of all of the other FMVs, but it also is a cinematic masterpiece. This FMV makes you want to laugh one minute and cry the next. Focusing around the final possession of Lulu and the winning of the last can of Gabbiar, we see Lulu as a smart and slick Glukkon willing ... or maybe not so willing to give it all. An array of characters at the auction give it a little bit of extra atmosphere and detail. While the ending of the FMV gives us a little bit of a surprise, but you kind of wonder if it is going to happen. It's no wonder this FMV was nominated for several awards, it makes for a wonderful finish to the game and leaves us Oddworld fans looking for more. The best Oddworld game ever! Munch's Oddysee has quickly become may favorite of the Oddworld games so far. Without sounding repetitive, I love the game. Everything about it is wonderful, from the characters, to the graphics, the gameplay and the FMVs. It is a game that could be played by a large audience, suiting those in an early teenage level with the adorable characters, but also captivating enough for adults to play. Put in the fact that like the previous Oddworld games, this one brings us with several messages (animal testing, environmental issues, exploitation just to name a few) to think about both during and after playing. It certainly makes for a change in a world where many games are just shoot-em ups. Sure Oddworld has it's dose of violence in there also, but it is tastefully done and appropriate for the game.

Not that ratings are to be compared here, but if I were to give it a rating, 10/10.