Oddworld Collection
Genre: Compilation / Puzzle-Platformer / 3D Platformer / First-Person Shooter / 3D Action-Platformer
Players: 1-2 (Local Alternating)
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Review:
Oddworld Collection, released on Nintendo Switch in 2021, is a physical-only Compilation of modern versions of three of the first four games in the Oddworld series (only the second game, Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus, and its recently-released remake, Oddworld: Soulstorm, are missing). While each of the games in this Compilation takes place in the same world and features Platforming elements, the three games all play very differently.
Here’s what I thought of each of the games in this Compilation:
| Game | Genre | # of Players | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty | Puzzle-Platformer | 1-2 (Local Alternating) | B- |
tl;drOddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty is a remake of the first game in the Oddworld series, the stealth-focused Puzzle-Platformer Abe’s Oddysee. The presentation here is great, and the world and its characters still have a fantastic personality with a lot of dark humor. However, the gameplay is hampered by stiff, laggy controls. Overall it’s still worth a look if you find the world of the game or the stealth elements appealing, but it’s definitely not for everyone. | |||
| Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee | 3D Platformer | 1 | C+ |
tl;drOddworld: Munch’s Oddysee is the third game in the Oddworld series and the first to feature full 3D gameplay. While this port of the HD re-release has aged pretty well in terms of visuals, the gameplay fares far worse, with some pretty frustrating camera issues and tedious busywork taking up much of the gameplay. Fans of the series may still find this game worthwhile, but most will want to skip it. | |||
| Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD | First-Person Shooter / 3D Action-Platformer | 1 | C+ |
tl;drOddworld: Stranger’s Wrath is a port of a 2005 Xbox First-Person Shooter with 3D Action-Platformer elements. While there are some creative ideas at work here, at every turn this game is marred by poor design choices that make the game needlessly tedious, and missing options that really feel like they were needed. The result is a game that still has some fun to offer, but you have to put up with a lot of frustration to actually enjoy it. | |||
In short, each of these games has flashes of brilliance, mostly the great characters and world, but that brilliance is dulled by gameplay issues in each, with the latter two 3D games having the worst issues thanks to terrible camera controls in both. The best of the lot is probably Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty, which is simultaneously both the oldest and newest game out of this trio, being a remake of the first game in the series. This release of the game has nice visuals that actually look excellent by today’s standards, and gameplay that’s mostly decent (though stiff, sluggish controls definitely mar the experience).
Those getting this cartridge will be happy to know that all three games are contained on the cartridge, no download necessary. What’s more, if you were looking to get all three games in this set, this cartridge costs $10 less than buying the games separately. If you’re an Oddworld fan with a Nintendo Switch, this is a pretty good package.
While you may find Oddworld Collection worthwhile if you’re a fan of the Oddworld series or if you’re enamored by its world and characters, those who aren’t big fans of this series will find this collection to feature a lot of dated gameplay that makes it hard to enjoy that world when you’re fighting the camera and controls. While none of the games here are bad, it’s hard to give this collection a glowing recommendation when enjoying it means putting up with their many, many flaws.
tl;dr – Oddworld Collection is a physical-only Compilation that includes Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty, Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee, and Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath. While all three games are creative and have a great world and enjoyable characters, all three games suffer from gameplay issues, and the latter two games in particular are marred by a horrendously bad camera. You probably won’t want to get this package unless you’re a big fan of the series looking to get these games on Nintendo Switch.
Grade: C+
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