Oddworld: Soulstorm

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.

64%Game Brain Score

gameplay, story

stability, grinding

60% User Score Based on 360 reviews

Critic Score 69%Based on 31 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $0

Buy NowGet on Steam €31.99 Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store Buy NowGet on Epic Games Store Buy NowGet on PS Store $0

About

Oddworld: Soulstorm is a single player platformer game with fantasy and comedy themes. It was developed by Oddworld Inhabitants and was released on June 21, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and neutral reviews from players.

"Oddworld: Soulstorm" is a single-player fantasy platformer game with a delightful story, awesome visuals, and a good soundtrack. The game features intelligent new mechanics, twisted devices, and a dark parable about a volatile society. However, it is known for having lots of grinding and being very buggy, with updates and fixes ongoing. The game offers a fresh narrative and a complete story retake, aiming to break new ground for the Oddworld series.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

60%

Audience ScoreBased on 360 reviews

gameplay41 positive mentions

stability48 negative mentions

The game features stunning graphics and beautifully designed environments that enhance the overall experience.
The story is engaging and expands on the Oddworld lore, introducing new characters and deeper themes.
The crafting system adds a new layer of gameplay, allowing for creative problem-solving and multiple approaches to challenges.

The game suffers from numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustrating experiences.
The AI of both enemies and allies is often unreliable, leading to situations where Mudokons can die unnecessarily or fail to follow commands.
The removal of quicksave and the reliance on checkpoints can make the game feel tedious, as players must repeat long sections after dying.

gameplay
192 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
66%
13%
The gameplay of "Oddworld: Soulstorm" has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the new mechanics and visual improvements, while others criticize the clunky controls, bugs, and frustrating design choices that detract from the experience. Many fans of the series feel that the game fails to capture the charm and precision of its predecessors, leading to a gameplay experience that can feel tedious and unfair. Overall, while there are elements of innovation, the execution has left many players disappointed, particularly those familiar with the original titles.
- “I have always liked the 2D Oddworld games because of their unique setting, interesting and grim story, and challenging but fair gameplay.”
- “The gameplay itself is varied and clever, offering a mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, and strategy.”
- “Gameplay is multi-faceted and action-packed; there are tough enemies, challenges, puzzles to solve, and you just get to go to a lot of beautifully strange places and do amazing stuff.”
- “Unfortunately, Soulstorm is a massive step down from the original games. I understand that a lot of new mechanics were desired, but the game is so filled with bugs and unfair mechanics that all of those innovations mean nothing when the core experience is so frustrating.”
- “The gameplay is so clunky and the levels are not designed for the intended mechanics.”
- “The gameplay just feels terrible; I don't know exactly how to describe it, but it just doesn't feel how it should.”
story
185 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
4%
The story of "Oddworld: Soulstorm" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging narrative, improved cutscenes, and character development, while others criticize it for straying too far from the darker themes of the original "Abe's Exoddus." Some players appreciate the expanded lore and visual storytelling, noting that it sets the stage for potential sequels, while others feel the gameplay detracts from the story's impact. Overall, the narrative is seen as a significant aspect of the game, though opinions vary on its execution and depth compared to previous installments.
- “The story has been expanded and is more fleshed-out than before (Exoddus clocking at about 22:40 mins vs Soulstorm's 1:10:00 hrs!).”
- “It has been revamped as a quest rife with a sense of grand adventure and mystical forces with enormous stakes and odds to overcome.”
- “The game's storytelling is captivating and immerses players in a unique and bizarre world.”
- “The rewritten story is plain bad, and the cutscenes are long and dull.”
- “The story has been changed a lot compared to the original and in my opinion the game feels less dark compared to the story of Abe’s Exoddus.”
- “You see, Soulstorm has a very weak story compared to Exoddus, and it truly baffles me that the big moments from that older game have been excised here.”
graphics
85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
40%
4%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beauty and attention to detail, with many reviewers highlighting the impressive art direction and vibrant visuals that enhance the overall experience. However, some critiques point to technical issues, such as bugs and performance problems, which detract from the visual enjoyment. While the graphics are generally considered a strong point, there are mixed feelings about how they compare to the charm and atmosphere of the original titles in the series.
- “The graphics are excellent and the innovation of the 2.5D perspective brings an awesome sense of scale to the game.”
- “Amazing state-of-the-art graphics that push the boundaries and standards for storytelling.”
- “The game's visuals are breathtaking and the soundtrack is fitting and adds to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “Ever since the 2000s, Oddworld inhabitants have stepped away from high-fidelity visuals and focused on presenting Oddworld in empty 3D spaces that feel less lived-in.”
- “This game has the potential to be the best in the series, but due to numerous technical issues, from poor framerates in most areas and exceedingly limited graphical settings, attempting a savior playthrough is ridiculously difficult and outright unfair.”
- “But the graphics themselves are not good as I expected from a 2021 game.”
stability
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
98%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly impact gameplay. While some users found enjoyment in the visuals and core mechanics, many expressed frustration over unreliable controls and game-breaking issues that detract from the overall experience. Despite occasional praise for performance improvements, the consensus remains that the game launched in a poorly polished state, leading to a disappointing experience for many players.
- “The game runs great; I've used the 40Hz/FPS setting, and the performance has been excellent.”
- “The stability of the game is impressive, with minimal crashes and smooth gameplay.”
- “I've experienced consistent frame rates throughout my sessions, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
- “The game is full of bugs, glitches, and issues.”
- “I originally bought this game on the Epic Games Store and it was a buggy, broken mess on launch.”
- “This game launched with an extensive glossary of bugs and glitches that rendered the thing unplayable.”
music
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
60%
11%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its lack of memorability and frequent bugs that disrupt the experience. While some appreciate the atmospheric qualities of the soundtrack, others criticize it for being generic and repetitive, especially in comparison to the beloved scores of previous titles like "Abe's Exodus." Overall, the music fails to enhance the gameplay as effectively as it could, leading to disappointment among fans of the series.
- “A soundtrack that enhances the world and immerses us more into the environments.”
- “The game's visuals are breathtaking and the soundtrack is fitting, adding to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “Every enemy encounter sound cue, ambience, cutscene musical cues, etc. are masterfully executed and successfully fill the caves with dread and large open areas with caution.”
- “The mind behind the choice of music seems to be influenced by the many stale tracks of cinematic movies and trailers made in recent years.”
- “The soundtrack was so unfitting; some tracks are reused many times.”
- “Gone is the unique music, traded for a more generic track.”
atmosphere
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
34%
14%
The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its stunning visuals and engaging soundtracks that enhance the experience, while others lament the loss of the rich, oppressive ambiance that characterized the original titles. Many players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of tension and wonder, yet feel it falls short compared to its predecessors, lacking the depth and charm that made the earlier games memorable. Overall, while the game offers a visually appealing and enjoyable atmosphere, it struggles to fully capture the essence of the Oddworld universe.
- “There's a tense and wondrous atmosphere that, combined with the story, invited me excitably back into the world of Oddworld.”
- “The game's visuals are breathtaking and the soundtrack is fitting and adds to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “The atmosphere and worldbuilding of this series is exceptional; it was enough for me to keep me engaged until I finished the game, something many other games with better reviews can't.”
- “Gone are the humor, atmosphere, music—everything that made Exoddus great.”
- “It has completely lost the atmosphere of the original game.”
- “The general mood of the game is strongly lacking in atmosphere, with no rich backgrounds and no intense musical score.”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
Players consistently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and repetitive, often leading to frustration due to the necessity of completing specific tasks for rewards. While some find moments of challenge rewarding, the overall experience is marred by slow-paced gameplay and a lack of manual save options, forcing players to repeat monotonous actions. Despite these issues, some reviewers note that the game improves in the latter half, with more refined puzzles and less tedious gameplay.
- “Most of the stuff you need for crafting you'll pick up or buy from vendors, so there's no grinding or searching the same spots over and over for items.”
- “Playing through it was an overly long, tedious, repetitive, and frustrating ordeal.”
- “If anything, they're tedious as you're forced to do specific tasks to get 'badges' such as breaking a certain number of objects in one mission, spending a specific amount of money, or searching for a set number of items in a single mission.”
- “After slowly looting 17 lockers, bins, etc. and getting a key from a slig you knocked out to slowly open more lockers, then slowly and carefully taking out more sligs and, again, carefully timing jumps to not instantly die for 15 minutes... then suddenly dying due to a nervous finger slip or a badly designed 'gotcha' moment you didn't see coming feels so awful, because then you have to do all that slow, tedious monotony all over again.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the humor in the latest Oddworld game is a significant departure from the charm and wit of earlier titles. While some players appreciate the occasional funny dialogue, many feel that the game lacks the dark humor and quirky elements that made the originals memorable, resulting in a more serious tone that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the humor is seen as inconsistent and less impactful compared to the beloved classics.
- “There is *some* jank at times, but I never lost much progress as a result of it; it's funny if anything.”
- “Haha, funny green men on fire.”
- “Not only did I laugh at the humor that this game radiates, but I cried when I was yeeted on a trip down memory lane back to '97 with the familiar sounds and creatures of the Oddworld.”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply resonant, often feeling a strong connection to the characters and story, which evokes both joy and sorrow. The challenging gameplay can lead to frustration, but it also enhances the emotional stakes, making victories feel significant and losses impactful. Nostalgia plays a key role, as many players appreciate the heartfelt journey back to the series' roots, highlighting a shift towards a more serious tone that emphasizes the protagonist's struggles.
- “The endings remind me of Metro - when you keep trying to save everyone, getting the good ending feels really emotional.”
- “I can't help but rejoice in Abe's adventures, worry about his people, and easily get drawn into this heartfelt story.”
- “Not only did I laugh at the humor that this game radiates, but I cried when I was taken on a trip down memory lane back to '97 with the familiar sounds and creatures of Oddworld.”
optimization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews; while some players report significant performance issues, requiring them to lower settings drastically for playable frame rates, others have experienced smooth gameplay, particularly on the Steam Deck. Overall, the game shows potential with improved performance in certain aspects, but it remains buggy and unpolished for many users, detracting from the experience.
- “The game runs great, I’ve used the 40hz/fps setting and the performance has been excellent.”
- “The overall performance is far less glitchy and the movement fluidity was also touched a bit.”
- “A solid, defying and entertaining title, now with improved performance.”
- “I really wanted to like this game after waiting so long for it to release on Steam, but it's buggy, unpolished, and poorly optimized.”
- “I am running this game on a 3050 Ti mobile on a laptop, but I can run most new, yet still optimized, games very well with my setup at over 90 FPS at a solid resolution. However, for this game, I have to drop the settings to the lowest possible as well as the resolution.”
- “As someone who grew up playing Oddworld and followed Abe's journey over the past decades, I will say I mostly did enjoy this 'Exodus' remake as it did have the same vibes as the predecessors, especially 'New 'n' Tasty', but there are things that I thought were a bit of an issue for me, such as some gameplay mechanics and game performance.”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The game boasts high replayability, driven by various challenges, achievement hunting, and multiple endings based on player choices. Players are encouraged to revisit levels to improve scores and unlock secrets, making the experience engaging and time-consuming. Overall, it offers substantial replay value beyond initial playthroughs.
- “High replay value, and time vanishes while playing.”
- “This encourages replayability, since you have to replay the levels in order to get a good quarma score and unlock the good and secret endings.”
- “Replayability via achievement hunting and karma-based endings.”
- “Each level offers different challenges to increase replayability.”
- “This encourages replayability, since you have to replay the levels in order to get a good karma score and unlock the good and secret endings.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Character development in the game is notably strong, with characters like Molluck experiencing significant growth, particularly in the good ending, which some players found more compelling than the protagonist, Abe. The narrative unfolds in a cinematic manner, aligning with the creator's vision since the game's inception in 1997, providing an engaging experience for players.
- “Molluck, however, benefits immensely from a reappearance and character development in the good ending, so you lose some—you gain some.”
- “Never thought I'd see them and Molluck get better character development than Abe.”
- “I felt there is so much character development right off the bat, and it's like watching a movie of Oddworld, which I know was what the creator wanted from the game even back in '97.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users labeling it a "cash grab" while others defend it as a genuine effort rather than low-quality content. Overall, opinions vary significantly, reflecting a divide between fans and critics regarding the game's financial practices.
- “Just crap and a cash grab.”
- “Nnt wasn't 'low-effort' nor a 'cash grab.' Soulstorm brings strange tides that I'm, of all people, playing the apologist for, but jaw were a bunch of fans.”