By Abe Babe

May 2004. The week following E3 and here I am scheduled to visit Oddworld Inhabitants studios. Although Stranger was not shown at E3, here would be my chance to catch a glimpse of the next title from the World of Odd.

Of course I won’t be able to say much, as many of you are aware, this title has been under a lot of secrecy for a very long time now. But that is perfectly understandable, what with how the media reacted with Munch’s Oddysee, Oddworld are perfectly justified in keeping it this way. But here I will try to express as much as one is able to.

So on the morning of May 20, I arrived at the Studios of Oddworld Inhabitants. Of course little had changed since the OddTour of 2002. The place was still as amazing as ever, with the ever familiar concept art and magazine covers gracing the walls. However many more awards had been added since the last time. What, with such stunning visuals as Oddworld produce, it is no wonder that such awards are won.

Re-introductions and formalities aside, I was to spend most of the day with none other than Alf and Alf’s Assistant as my kind hosts. First on the agenda was the watching of a demo movie of the game. Here I was able to view the opening cinematic sequence and marvel at the game play levels. And amazed I was! I remember when I was amazed at Munch’s Oddysee. But that had nothing on what I now saw before me. The opening was amazing and made for an intriguing introduction. Stunning visuals, rich environments. Why, even the game play levels had a sense of realism that I had not seen before. They looked like the cinematics! So realistic, so crisp. In some places it was difficult to tell the difference. Beautiful native environments that appeared to go on forever, towns and fortresses. Everything just blew me away. And I’m sure it will blow you all away too!

After that mind blowing experience, it was time for an impromptu appearance in OddChat once my temperamental laptop decided to behave! Although everyone in attendance wanted to ask me questions on the game, I found myself unsure what to say!

Of course, time always flies when you are having fun. Soon it was time for lunch, and on return a quick greet of the Inhabitants, which were all hard at work. Making sure not to hold them up, as we all know how important their work on this game is.

Unexpectedly, I was allowed to sit in on watching Lorne play an advanced level for review and evaluation purposes. I sat with my mouth wide open at the fast paced game play and how he was able to play the game with such ease! Again I was able to see those stunning environments which I had seen previously in the demo movie.

But finally the day had to come to an end, however I was scheduled to play Stranger for myself, time didn’t permit. However, the kind folks who Oddworld are invited me back the next day for a gaming experience of a life time [and mind you, it was difficult to get to sleep that night!]. Oh how I would love to share it all with you. Tell you all that I know. But my lips are sealed. It won’t be long though until you will get to experience the game for yourself.

I played the first level of the game and from what I can say is that this is something you must experience. Game play is exciting, varied and interesting. Elements from different genres combine to make a game that will have something for everyone. Play the game how you want to … make it your game. That’s what I feel you could do. Oddworld’s trademark humor is still there, often having a smile on my face when dialogue was presented. And although I have mentioned it many times already, again the stunning environments. Playing in them makes you just want to immerse yourself in them, explore every single part of them! If I didn’t have limited game play time, I could have spent hours just walking around doing nothing! Whether it be exploring the nature that Oddworld has to offer, or exploring a more civilized town area. I feel this will be a game that will appeal to more than just the Oddworld fans, it will appeal to the more generic gamer, both the hardcore gamer and the casual gamer. But Oddworld fans alike will love this also. In a way it’s different, but it’s Oddworld. I was told that once before by none other than Sherry McKenna. Before anything was known, before the X-Factor documentary was released … that was all that could be said at the time, that it would be unlike any other Oddworld game, but it would still be Oddworld and one would know it. And that held true. Sure it’s not Abe’s Oddysee, it’s not even Munch’s Oddysee. But it’s Oddworld. Odd as can be!