Oddworld Soulstorm - Preview from Gamescom 2019


    We had lost it at E3 2019, but we couldn't help but recover it during the course of this one Gamescom 2019. We were finally able to see Oddworld: Soulstorm thanks to a closed-door appointment with the guys from Oddworld Inhabitants at the Unity stand, since the game was developed with the well-known graphics engine.

    Oddworld Soulstorm - Preview from Gamescom 2019

    For the uninitiated, After the release of Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty, a remake of the original Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, the team of Oddworld Inhabitants decided to try and do something different for the remake of its sequel, Abe's Exodus, trying to rewrite the story and expand the game mechanics.



    From here on, Oddworld: Soulstorm is born, the new chapter that reimagines the Mudokon revolution led by the incomparable protagonist Abe.

    Soulstorm shows the maturity of the Oddworld team and universe since the first steps taken by our protagonist. Through the use of binoculars it is possible to start studying the architecture of the level, the position of the Mudokons to be saved and the position of the enemies. This is a fundamental aspect, given that Soulstorm requires immediate reaction times, compared to the more reasoned ones of its predecessors, and you must always be prepared for what could happen. The portals to save the Mudokon are much rarer this time and it is therefore necessary to pave the way or bring a large group of companions with them, risking their lives along the way. It will still be possible to give them orders, but that mechanic has been simplified to give Abe a chance to focus on clearing the way, rather than worrying about his friends.

    Fortunately, the game addresses these difficulties through various aspects that allow the poor slaves to be much more independent and able to support Abe. To do this, it is the mechanics of crafting have been introduced, that is the possibility of creating objects through the materials collected in the most disparate places of the levels, from checkouts to lockers. These objects, which can be stones, explosives or poisons, can be donated to the Mudokons for self-defense and to help Abe in time of need. Moments that will be very frequent, since it is enough for only one of the enemies to notice our hero to raise the alarm and sow chaos and panic throughout the level.



    Oddworld Soulstorm - Preview from Gamescom 2019
    The stealth approach still exists let's be clear, but it is effective only in sporadic moments, unless the game is rebalanced to give space to the more calm and patient players who prefer to act only at the right moments. Abe can in fact count on various tools to get around enemies, distract them and knock them out without being discovered, including the power of possession already seen in previous adventures.

    Our protagonist, however, is able to better control his power, so now he is able to guide his spirit for a few seconds in order to get to take possession of the enemy on duty, and then decide to eliminate him by blowing him up or leaving him stunned. In Oddworld Soulstorm in fact it will be possible to finish the game without killing anyone and this factor will affect the acquisition or not of Quarma points which will determine the ending and probably other aspects of the game that we do not yet know.

    Oddworld Soulstorm - Preview from Gamescom 2019

    The most jaw-dropping aspect when playing Oddworld Soulstorm is seeing how the game is now set in completely three-dimensional levels with their own physics. The settings are dynamic and interactive, everything can be used to your advantage. The one who can kill Abe, in fact, can also kill his enemies. By blowing up the bases of the various structures it is possible to literally make them collapse on the heads of the unfortunate, including allies. It can often be the most practical solution in a desperate moment of escape.


    The physics is so well implemented that you can play with crafting as well: grab a rock and tie it to a rubber band: this will bounce a couple of times and roll to the ground. However, apply 10 rubber bands, and this will become a stun weapon capable of bouncing endlessly stunning anyone in its trajectory.


    Oddworld Soulstorm - Preview from Gamescom 2019


    Oddworld: Soulstorm doesn't want to revolutionize the series, but it definitely wants to evolve it into something more modern that makes the most of today's technologies. From what we have seen, it is succeeding in full, raising the title to the level of one of the most interesting platformers that we will see during this year. Unfortunately we still don't have an official release date, nor the consoles on which the game will be published, even if being developed with Unity we imagine it will be available on almost any existing game platform. We really can't wait.

    ► Oddworld: Soulstorm is an Adventure-Action-type game developed and published by Oddworld Inhabitants for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PlayStation 5, the video game was released on 31/12/2020

    add a comment of Oddworld Soulstorm - Preview from Gamescom 2019
    Comment sent successfully! We will review it in the next few hours.