Review: Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD (PS Vita)

Posted on January 16, 2013 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation Vita

Developer: Just Add Water

Publisher: Oddworld Inhabitants

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Score: A

Even if you’ve already bought and played the PS3 version back in 2011 or still own the original 2005 Xbox release, it’s absolutely worth picking up Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD on the Vita just to see how well the game was tweaked for the system. As with the console version, the reworked HD visuals from the Xbox game, smooth animation, newly recorded voice acting and other features translate quite nicely to Sony’s portable. It also holds up incredibly well as a stellar single-player game thanks to a great story with an excellent plot twist or two, some fine and witty dialog and a great Oddworld vibe that’s still fresh today as it was back in 2005. There are some issues with the touchpad and game camera being a wee bit too touchy, but otherwise, the game is a solid effort that’s long and often challenging if you’re trying for the least violent means of playing through the game. Continue reading →

Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD Is Vita Bound – That’s A Buy Right There, Folks…

Posted on December 6, 2012 by geelw

Excellent. In case you missed it back on the original Xbox and last year, on the PS3 as a PSN download, well, here you go. Oddworld Inhabitants is getting Stranger’s Wrath out on Sony’s portable and I say it’s a buy because it’s still one of the best games you’ll ever play thanks to its innovative gameplay elements combining FPS and third-person action/platforming) along with a strong story that’s funny and touching. Oh yeah, and that Stranger is quite a likable fellow for being a bounty hunter and all. And the game is pretty darn long for what it is. And it sure looks mighty pretty in HD. And a whole lot more “ands” too. Keep an eye peeled for it soon enough…

Review: Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD

Posted on December 27, 2011 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation 3

Developer: Just Add Water

Publisher: Oddworld Inhabitants

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: A

It’s been far too long since an Oddworld game has appeared on a console, but it looks as if the drought is finally over in a huge way. One of the best original Xbox games finally returns and yes, makes an even more spectacular PS3 debut. After playing through Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD, I’m thinking a few of this year’s “Best of 2011” lists will need to be rewritten to add this gem. This outstanding remake features reworked HD visuals, lovely 60 frames per second animation, newly recorded voice acting and even better sound design than the original game. It also holds up incredibly well as a stellar single-player game thanks to a great story with an excellent plot twist or two, some fine and witty dialog and a great Oddworld vibe that’s still fresh today as it was back in 2005. Continue reading →

Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD Remake Trailer: This Game NEEDS TO Be On A Disc!

Posted on September 16, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/gJ0PefsSTwY?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

With the blessing of Oddworld Inhabitants, The fine folks at Just Add Water have been hard at work on an HD remake of one of the best (and still under appreciated) original Xbox games ever made. While it looks absolutely spectacular, the game is currently only set for a PSN release, which stinks for those gamers who’ve never played the original, don’t have PSN accounts or happen to be “unlucky” Xbox 360 owners (the original game wasn’t backward compatible). I really, REALLY think this game absolutely NEEDS a disc version, even if it’s part of a multi-game set in the future. Even better, I bet that a lot of folks would pay for an Oddworld HD Collection on disc similar to the solid HD collections Sony and other publishers are putting out on the PS3. Hopefully the PSN version will sell well enough to make this happen, as I’m not the only one who wants to see this game get a little more of a permanent form at some point…

Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath PS3-Bound In 2011 Via PSN

Posted on September 4, 2010 by geelw

In more fantastic gaming news, one of the best (and supremely under-appreciated at retail) original Xbox games is headed to the PlayStation 3 next year, courtesy of UK developer JAW (Just Add Water), creators of the excellent PSN/PSP “retro” arcade shooter, Gravity Crash. The unique “western” themed Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath was a single player focused first-person shooter/action game (with the ability to switch to third-person on the fly), excellent enemy AI, a capture or kill bounty system and an innovative “live ammo” aspect (among other amazingly well-designed features ahead of their time). And the story was great, also (in case you hadn't guessed). Despite excellent reviews, the game didn't perform that well at retail and soon afterward the Oddworld series dropped off the map until recently.