Although Velocity isn’t free on PlayStation Plus any more, I think it fits nicely with the recent theme we’ve had around the service, and we may as well continue the trend with Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD. The HD addition to the game’s title makes it status as a remake of the 2005 Xbox game perfectly clear, although the troubles that developers Just Add Water have had in bringing it to XBLA means that 360 owners aren’t getting the remake for now.
Stranger’s Wrath follows Stranger, a bounty hunter, and switches in gameplay somewhat from earlier games in the Oddworld series. As you’d imagine from a game starring a bounty hunter there’s a lot more shooting coming into play in Stranger’s Wrath than in other Oddworld games, although you’re still encouraged to stun rather than kill.
In fact it was the way the game’s only weapon, the crossbow, handles that seemed to leave Dan the most impressed in our review of the game. You can follow the link to get a more in depth look at just why he loved the game’s “Live Ammo” system so much, but I think the fact that the game allows you to fire things called Stingbees and Thudslugs makes some of the appeal evident.
He was less impressed with the game’s random difficulty spikes though, saying that “there were times about halfway through where the difficulty level didn’t just ramp up; it took an elevator to the top floor.” That doesn’t sound all that pleasant. He was also frustrated by the sluggish nature of the game’s third person camera, finding it particularly irritating in boss fights.
Despite finding a few issues with the game, he happily gave it a 9/10 and had this to say about it:
There’s no doubt about it, Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD is punching well above its £9.99 price bracket. The production values coupled with over ten hours of quality gameplay mean the game would easily be worth £40 if stuck on the shelf of your local retailer.
Frustrating difficulty spikes aside, Stranger’s Wrath had me hooked throughout. If TSA did half marks, this would be a well deserved 9.5.
So with Dan’s view on it out of the way, it’s time to throw the doors open to you. Just how much do you like the HD remake of Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath? Do you feel it stacks up well against the original? Have you only come to it recently via PlayStation Plus, or has it been on your hard-drive since release? Does the Live Ammo excite or irritate? If you feel like sharing the answers to those questions, or anything you have to say about the game at all really, just drop a comment below.
As well as your comment, you need to leave a rating for the game. Following Peter’s precedent last week, I’m going to drop the Rent It and Bargain Bin It options for digital games, but for games that are free on PlayStation Plus I’m going to add a Plus It option. Plus It means that whilst you liked the game, you only really feel it’s worth getting for free on a PlayStation Plus subscription. Overall you’ve got three choices: Buy It, Plus It and Avoid It. Pick one of those, add it to your comment (which you need to have in by Sunday afternoon) and you’re done!
Now go on, go shoot something with a Thudslug.
PriceofWar
Easily one of the best PSN only titles out there, you gotsta buy it :)
freezebug2
Superb game, thoroughly enjoyed it and it is worth every penny of that £9.99 to BUY IT!!
*I got the game for free on PSPlus, but would very happily have paid for it*
Quality game ;)
gaffers101
Only played a little bit so far but it’s a ‘buy it’ from me.
DrSmyslov
Losing count of the number of 3rd person games where the camera is a problem.
Maybe this is particularly hard to code for – I can see that could be the case – but it is a fundamental issue that I hope developers pay more attention to in future.
Sympozium
Its oddworld, Buy it.
KeRaSh
I love the Oddworld franchise. Those games are very unique and that’s pretty rare these days. Even the originals with their PS1 graphics are still as fun to play as they have been back in the days. A game that aged well over so many years just shows how great these games really are. And Stranger’s Wrath is no exception.
The Oddworld games take place in a world that has always intrigued me. It is inhabited by the strangest creatures (*cough* pun *cough*) and that is something that sets these games apart from the rest. Another great thing about the Oddworld franchise is the implementation of a pretty dark humor.
The sound design and the gameplay is great. The graphics have been upped to a very satisfying level. The voice work/dialogs are funny. There isn’t a thing I don’t like about Stranger’s Wrath.
Without a doubt my verdict is: Buy it!
I will also buy the Vita version when that comes out, although I hope it’s free for people who bought the PS3 PSN version. It would be worth the second purchase, though. ;)
aycizzle
Really good update to an already good game- buy it!
planejoker
Awesome game had this in my old Xbox and got this again on PS3 9.99 what a bargain ;-), a new oddworld game please or munch’s oddysee remake would be nice