Oddworld: Soulstorm - Enhanced Edition

We like the Oddworld series, and we wish Soulstorm were better. The ingredients are there: the world itself and Abe's story have a uniquely grimy charm. No section of Soulstorm's 15-hour adventure feels quite like the last, with enough new enemies and mechanics introduced to keep things both interesting and challenging. Yet at the same time, technical issues mar the experience much like the dirt and rust that covers Oddworld, and small inconveniences add up to make completing the game much more trying than it should be. We hope one day an Oddworld game will be a must-play adventure worthy of the series' late-'90s prestige, but Soulstorm on Switch hasn't quite freed Abe and the Mudokons from the fetters of poor performance and archaic design.

The transition from single-screen pre-rendered backgrounds to fully realized 3D environments has breathed new life into level design of Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition. Stages wrap around each other, utilizing added depth creatively. The expansive vistas of Oddworld's alien landscape look incredibly realistic, showcasing the capabilities of the Unity engine, which has evolved from a budget choice for hobbyists to a platform capable of rendering imagery on par with AAA Unreal Engine 4 titles. The clashing tones with the storytelling and gameplay are regrettable. The developers should have leaned more into the silliness of the premise instead of take itself so seriously. Being able to fart on command was a crucial pillar of Oddworld and seeing it gutted is utterly depressing.

Oddworld: Soulstorm – Oddtimized Edition is a darker take that tests the titular Abe in a much bigger quest. The high-quality cinematic style is impressive, and the game plays well overall. It's less humorous than the original, and lacks that nostalgic factor fans of the '90s versions may have. Yet it's still a challenging and entertaining platformer that will test your patience and prowess.

Overall, there were too many irritations in Soulstorm to win any of my enthusiasm. Every play session left me somewhat frustrated, and I often had to talk myself into booting it up. If you're dying to revisit Abe's Exoddus, this is certainly the best way to accomplish that. I just wish it was a little more fun and a little less janky.

Oddworld: Soulstorm Oddtimized Edition brings the latest chapter in the Oddworld series to the Nintendo Switch and with it come the outstanding, immersive plot, a wide world to explore and a very demanding series of puzzles and obstacles to overcome in a very fitting way with the Oddworld name. At the same time, some of its underlying issues regarding more frustrating points such as the use of trial and error brought on by some instances of level design have not been fully dealt with, but overall this is a very welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch catalogue and one that is certain to appeal to Oddworld fans.

Oddworld: Soulstorm is probably the best Oddworld game, and the Switch port doesn't disappoint.

Oddworld Soulstorm remains one of the best games of last year and one of the best platformers of recent years.

Oddworld: Soulstorm is a chapter that tries to change the cards on the table a bit, trying to package itself as a more prudent purchase towards a wider audience.

‎Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition is a fantastic platform game with a lot of originality. This improved version of the game has fixed many of the issues with which the game was originally released in April. The overall result is a challenging, fun game full of black humor that satisfies a lot. If you like platform games, this should surely be among your interests.‎

A darker retelling of an outspoken hero, thrust into his role. With a few kinks to iron out, Oddworld Inhabitants have given Abe life anew. Now with next-gen goodness!