Introduction

Welcome back to the wonderfully bizarre world of Oddworld, where you can expect nothing less than a platter of oddities served with a side of existential dread and a sprinkle of violence. Oddworld: Soulstorm is a 2.5D platformer that takes our unfortunate hero Abe—yeah, that soul who’s more confused than a dog on rollerblades—and puts him into what can only be described as anarchy in the midst of his attempt to liberate his fellow Mudokons from the fetishistically evil Glukkons.

Gameplay

Ah, gameplay. You know, the action part where you wish you had a better thumb skill but then you just end up mashing buttons harder than you should? Soulstorm loads you with inventory management like it's a yard sale. You can loot items from enemies and the environment, craft some weapons like smoke bombs (because why not?) and even use duct tape—yep, the same magic tape we all grew up understanding as a sticky miracle—to apprehend foes without committing homicide. Little did I expect to learn that awkwardly sticking things together is part of my rebellion against a corporate overlord. The game plays like your childhood nightmares of being chased down by a cartoonishly evil corporate menace, with added double jumps, changeable identities, and a health meter that sounds complicated but really just tells you that, yes, you are very much alive… for now. And don’t forget the Quarma system, which can be a moral high ground or a grave reminder that saving anyone’s skin is largely about you and your conscience, and depending on how you feel about in-game murder, you might just wiggle away with different endings. Exploring the world offers numerous secrets and collectibles, and it rewards those who dare to stray off the beaten path. As Abe, you’ll wander through large levels, fumble through hidden treasures, and play games of cat-and-mouse with Glukkons while trying to save as many of your beleaguered kin as you can. Whether you choose to be a violent rebel or just a duck-tape-wielding pacifist is entirely up to you, but be warned: the ending may nag at you like an annoying text from your parents.

Graphics

Graphically, Soulstorm resembles art that fled from a strange dream where all the colors decided to be both vibrant and grotesque at the same time. Imagine a blend of Tim Burton's nightmares mixed with environmental warnings about corporate greed. Wrapped in this knitted sweater of chaos is animation that is both smooth and buttery, a delightful treat as empty as your stomach after playing for hours. The character designs remain delightfully grotesque, and each creature appears to have just consumed too many energy drinks before posing for their portrait—especially the Glukkons. Honestly, I half-expect them to show up in a reality show about bizarre dietary habits.

Conclusion

Oddworld: Soulstorm is a wild ride, whether you're cartwheeling through a dystopian factory or attempting to negotiate a peace treaty with duct tape. Despite its fair share of glitches and menu frustrations more annoying than your buddy who can't stop talking about his conspiracy theories, there's enough charm, challenge, and wacky gameplay to make Oddworld fans feel right at home, and a few chuckles along the way. For those new to the franchise it’s a mixed bag, like cereal that comes with a little toy you'd probably lose under the couch. Is it a perfect game? No. But is it a compelling, albeit bizarre, installment in an iconic series? Absolutely. With a score of 7 out of 10, I’d say it’s worth saving a Mudokon or two while you enjoy a slice of this oddity.

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