Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee Analysis - Giving Oddworld A New Dimension

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  • Опубліковано 1 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 104

  • @phantomstrider
    @phantomstrider 2 роки тому +21

    Over the years, it's been so hard to find a good-quality, thoughtful, down-to-earth analysis of Munch's Oddysee. I appreciate the time and detail you put into this as well as your calm narration. Would love to know what you thought of Soulstorm in general, as it took the story more serious. Slightly to it's detriment in my opinion. Either way, thanks for the great reviews of my favourite game series, Raze.

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  2 роки тому +8

      Thanks man, glad you enjoyed. I felt the same, which was why I made it.
      I can't stop idly coming up with ways to do a proper Soulstorm breakdown, so hopefully I'll get to round to it when I have the time. Soulstorm is one of the most jarring things I've played in a long time. Sometimes it's really nice to play and feels like an evolution of the Oddysee/Exoddus games... while others it just hits a brick wall and is a completely broken mess. I'm still on my first playthrough, but something keeps bringing me back. Very mixed feelings as you can tell.
      Did you find the tone itself hard to get into? I liked the tone, but just think the characters just seem to talk and talk, which massively takes away from the drama. Feels like it needed several edits as the story is really simple, but is told in such an elongated way.

    • @phantomstrider
      @phantomstrider 2 роки тому +2

      @@razeyourgame "Jarring" is a really good way to describe it for me too 🤔 It's a game I so wanted to like but it's so stressful, frustrating and exhausting to play.
      The tone for me was okay, but I missed the comedy interspersed with the serious tone.
      While I didn't like New 'n Tasty's endless jokes as it took away from the plight of the mudokins, I could use just a little comedy in SoulStorm.
      It's just super-serious constantly with no respite in Soulstorm, to the point of exhaustion for me.
      Personally, I liked the comedy more than you do in exodus and Munch's oddysee 😄 They can be cheesey, but for me, they helped make all the darkness and brutality easier to swallow. Though you made some really good points in your oddworld comedy video.
      I know right? The characters just talk endlessly. And I unfortunately wasn't impressed with the voice acting. That took me out of the experience alot. And I mostly just found the item system annoying.

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  2 роки тому +3

      @@phantomstrider That's totally fair. I think what's even weirder is they kept in the endless mudokon quips, so they can't even sustain that tone.
      I would take Exoddus' tone anyday though, having seen how wildly across the spectrum the quality can be.
      One way I finally managed to enjoy Soulstorm, was completely abusing the checkpoint system - it becomes a lot more bearable.
      And then I set myself a challenge to get all the badges and save all mudokons on a single run each time. That allows you to fully utilise the crafting, which you can easily ignore otherwise.
      But I agree, the item system is total jank most of the time, and I have had to make my own fun or else the game just feels uttery broken.
      The low point for me is the Temple areas in that game. I genuinely don't even understand how that concept made it off the drawing board with the creatures that are frightened of light sources. It just feels like 3 levels of smashing into a brick wall until you break through it. But that's a whole other story of the movement and level design being really weak in that game.

    • @jackvalentino2125
      @jackvalentino2125 Рік тому

      ​@@razeyourgameyour oddworld series and assassin's Creed videos are some of the best critical reviews on UA-cam. It's a travesty your channel doesn't have hundreds of thousands of subscribers. Seriously would adore to see a Soulstorm in your style. Oddysee and Exoddus are probably my favourite two games of all time and your commentary is so considered and robust

  • @TheSpeedway99
    @TheSpeedway99 3 місяці тому +1

    Despite all valid complaints listed, Munch’s Oddysee is still one of my favorite games to play.

  • @silas1414
    @silas1414 2 роки тому +9

    Well that was brutal, but interesting. A lot of work there and well put together. I have fond memories of the game, there's just something special about it. Often an almost serene, dreamlike atmosphere. Would be interested in seeing one of these done for Stranger.

  • @EphemeralBalconist
    @EphemeralBalconist Рік тому +1

    I bought an Xbox specifically to play this game.( I also bought a lesser known game called Halo the same day) I would say this game is my is my favourite video game of all time. I wish they still made games like this.

  • @nahwals
    @nahwals 6 років тому +10

    Although I agree that the point you made at 40:30 that the 4th wall gags didn't work, Oddworld started off by addressing the player. At the end of the first cutscene in AO, Abe says "So... Get me out of here!" addressing the player.

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  6 років тому +3

      I agree I didn't mention those and I definitely should have. I find the 4th wall breaks here are even more annoying than in the earlier games because not only are there way more of them, but there's so many other distracting things going on that suck you out of the world (like the sound cues and increase of whacky characters).
      It's not the issue by itself, but it's the sum of many parts which make them much more noticeable this time around.
      Did you have a similar feeling, or do you have other reasons for not thinking they worked this time around?

    • @nahwals
      @nahwals 6 років тому +1

      Yeah, I feel similar. Humor at the sake of story and tone are what made the 4th wall breaks in MO not work.

  • @yieldtopedestrians7943
    @yieldtopedestrians7943 3 роки тому +7

    Fantastic and detailed analysis! I agree completely. Munch was actually my introduction to Oddworld; I still enjoy this game a lot despite its many shortcomings.

  • @HamidKarzai
    @HamidKarzai Місяць тому

    your analysis videos are brilliant. there's a lot of long videos on youtube padded out with basically fluff, but not yours, with each sentence you say something substantive, I really appreciate that!

  • @OtisLePoOtis
    @OtisLePoOtis 4 роки тому +25

    I hope that this game can get the ”soulstorm treatment”

    • @VikingVern7
      @VikingVern7 3 роки тому +1

      That would be nice but with how weird this game in particular was and how much this series struggles i think they should just go straight to making a new chapter.

    • @OtisLePoOtis
      @OtisLePoOtis 3 роки тому +1

      @@VikingVern7 yeah when i said that 1 year ago i didn’t really know where the story of soulstorm would be going. I personaly think that elements from Munch can be in the next ”soulstorm 2”

    • @jimmyforrest7103
      @jimmyforrest7103 3 роки тому +2

      Ay lads this game has a remaster on the switch which is out now

    • @OtisLePoOtis
      @OtisLePoOtis 3 роки тому +1

      @@jimmyforrest7103 i literally pre ordered it. This is not news.

    • @novanebula8004
      @novanebula8004 3 роки тому

      Me too

  • @glb1993
    @glb1993 2 роки тому +6

    Dude I absolutely loved munches Odyssey it was such an incredible gaming experience to me as a kid when it came out :). The nostalgia remembering this game for me is incredible lol.

  • @EqualityEarth
    @EqualityEarth 3 роки тому +12

    I appreciate videos that take the time and thought go in depth like this. I really do like when a game makes 2 characters work together (like Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom) even if it isn’t fully realized in the mechanics. I just felt like Munch wasn’t the main character. The title should have been Abe’s Second Oddysee: Munch Tags Along, as you are pretty much playing Abe most of the time, and the land/water disparity (as well the lack of depth swimming, around since at least super Mario 64), added up to make Munch a bit too handicapped for the good of the game overall. In fact, the final level on Angelic playthroughs completely omits Munch, which blatantly suggests cut content as the shaman waves off his absence in Vykker Suites.

  • @fearhunger3983
    @fearhunger3983 3 роки тому +2

    Nice video! I only have remote interest in Oddworld stuff, but I do feel like jumping back to those games after watching your stuff. Really solid analysis!

  • @agentsquish
    @agentsquish 2 роки тому +4

    I'm strapped in for Strangers wrath, New n Tasty and Soulstorm. These were great ! 👌

  • @mr.g-sez
    @mr.g-sez 3 роки тому +1

    you got my sub only because of your oddworld videos. everybody who makes videos about oddworld earned it! thanks man, and also for the length!

  • @satmat2561
    @satmat2561 2 роки тому +1

    I do hope to see that stranger's wrath vid one day. Your videos are awesome and inspiring me to give my own thoughts on games I'd like to see more people talk about.

  • @jimmyforrest7103
    @jimmyforrest7103 3 роки тому +3

    Your pretty good at this kinda thing. Wish you kept going with these vids

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  3 роки тому +4

      Thanks mate. It's on my list, just need to find the time.

  • @mintmag8748
    @mintmag8748 5 років тому +7

    What an amazing video this is. I get the feeling the the remake of Exodus will be better then the remake of odyssey, since I think the original odyssey is still the best.

    • @crazyfulla
      @crazyfulla 5 років тому +3

      i hope they go back to the grid based platforming system rather than free walking, making precision based jumps in new n tasty was a nightmare so i agree the original was better as it felt like you had more control.

    • @Skitz0frenix
      @Skitz0frenix 3 роки тому

      Soulstorm didn't do it for me. Exoddus is still the best Oddworld game in my opinion.
      Soulstorm wanted to do way too much I believe while removing many things you could do in Exoddus.... Hell, even in Oddyssey

  • @ravenguardemily7150
    @ravenguardemily7150 8 місяців тому

    Was loving this review series but didn’t realise it never got to finish 😭 would’ve loved to hear your stance on Stranger’s Wrath or even Soulstorm. Find these so cosy to listen to.

  • @MegasTeque
    @MegasTeque 2 роки тому +2

    Great review, I empathise because despite this games numerous flaws, I still love it!

  • @tenbeat
    @tenbeat 6 років тому +9

    I find it silly that Lorne and the Oddworld games are very anti-consumerist, but yet there are SoBe machines in this game. New n Tasty also had similar real world advertisements with games from other indie devs.
    Conflict in theme.
    Can't wait for the Stranger's Wrath video.

    • @magogonthemarch6917
      @magogonthemarch6917 6 років тому +10

      This is what Oddworld Inhabitants said in the past: "Oddworld ain’t anti-corporate, first of all. Oddworld’s a business, and just like any other, to make our product, we rely on people buying them and then we use that money to pay the scrubs in the pens to crank out code and art and design. When we were asked to be part of the Plus! visualization we were excited that millions of people would be able to enjoy Munch too. Aren’t Sony and Nintendo big corporations too?"
      "Sobe liked the message of our content and very much liked the quirky humor and irony of our universe. The vendos appeared in the game as an exchange for the opportunity to be a part of the sneak peak Sobe / Xbox road show that gave the public an early opportunity to put Munch and the Xbox in their hands.
      Whenever a co-promotional opportunity arises, Oddworld’s first order of business is to see if there are any outstanding labor or environmental issues with the potential co-sponsor. Not only did Sobe come up clean in our search, but they have also demonstrated historic efforts to try to raise the nutritious quality of the average mass market soft drink."
      Here's also an excerpt from an interview that Lanning gave in April 2002:
      "XBM: There seems to be an anti-industrialisation message within Oddworld. Does this mean Abe won’t be seen advertising root beer or beauty products?
      Lorne Lanning: Our licensing philosophy has one rule: don’t tell us how to make content or tell our stories. By default, this counts out a lot of products and big corporations. For example; it’s okay with us if McDonalds licenses Abe… but they never will. They won’t do it because they will never put a character on their burgers who is an anti-deforestation representative. McDonalds is supporting the clear cutting of rain forests at a rapid pace, so they wouldn’t touch Abe unless they could have us change the story. To which we would tell them to piss off. Our characters all have issues like this. Characters like Mario or Crash are completely consumer product friendly because they don’t stand for anything. However, Abe and Munch have some serious issues."

    • @tenbeat
      @tenbeat 6 років тому +3

      *Magog on the March*
      I realize they have to make money, and I personally don't have an issue with a company putting the occasional advertisement in a game, as long as it doesn't interfere with the gameplay (like if the company who they are advertising made the developer make changes) or the vision; but Oddworld, especially the first two, and even three, games have an extraordinarily anti-consumerist message so advertising SoBe (and other games) doesn't fit unless they're trying to poke fun at their own message. Which I would also be fine with, but they aren't.
      Anti-corporatism, while similar to anti-consumerism (and you can't have the former without the latter), isn't a necessary part of anti-consumerism on its own. You can have the second without the first. There's a difference between advertising your game on TV, and advertising real world products within your game. It doesn't fit the theme.

  • @hunternogales578
    @hunternogales578 6 років тому +9

    Are you planning to do Stangers Wrath and New n' Tasty? Never played SW so i'd be interested to see an in depth critique about it.

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  6 років тому +6

      Hunter Nogales i will do as i havent seen one either and it's a really interesting little game. Will be a while though.
      Want to review everything and catch up before Soulstorm arrives.

    • @tarponpet
      @tarponpet 5 років тому

      @@razeyourgame I'm looking forward to those future reviews!

  • @ZGKIV
    @ZGKIV 2 роки тому +1

    I love your oddworld vids

  • @MCFPapa
    @MCFPapa 6 років тому +4

    Look who's finally back!

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  6 років тому +5

      MCFPapa Next vid will be out around 2030. Stay tuned.

    • @MCFPapa
      @MCFPapa 6 років тому +1

      I wonder what the Oddworld team plans to do after Soulstorm is released. They might remake Munch's Oddysee to have a more serious tone and add in what they originally planned for the game. We might also get a third game in the Quintology. It's been 13 years since we got a completely original Oddworld game

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  6 років тому +2

      From what it looks like, Soulstorm is evidence that they're in the business of making original titles again. It doesn't seem to just be an Exoddus remake, so hopefully that'll inspire them to continue making new instalments.
      I agree with you, it's been too long since the last one and I don't need to play the same games over and over again.

  • @Boots43096
    @Boots43096 2 роки тому

    best video i seen on this game, you articulated your points very well

  • @tarponpet
    @tarponpet 4 роки тому +3

    Atleast they gave a lore reason for the Scrab's being in a herd in supplementary info.

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  4 роки тому +2

      What was the reason?

    • @tarponpet
      @tarponpet 4 роки тому

      @@razeyourgame It was that the female Scrabs travel in herds while the males are territorial and pushed away by the females. So they are solitary creatures.

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  4 роки тому +2

      @@tarponpet That is top notch ass covering.

    • @tarponpet
      @tarponpet 4 роки тому +1

      @@razeyourgame Yep. Turning errors into lore is pretty neat.

    • @tarponpet
      @tarponpet 4 роки тому +2

      @@razeyourgame Alf also said that they navigate by Echolocation which is why they roar before chasing Abe.

  • @TheBonelord
    @TheBonelord 9 місяців тому

    Great video! It's such a shame this game didn't get the development it needed

  • @Numba1seagulllover
    @Numba1seagulllover Рік тому +1

    Imagine he's been making a 5 hour video on soulstorm this whole time

  • @tarponpet
    @tarponpet 6 років тому +5

    How did I miss this?

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  6 років тому +3

      Tarponpet Secord We're all busy people. Understandable.

  • @zander2758
    @zander2758 Рік тому +1

    Damn good analysis, considering your tone throught the video i assume new and tasty and soulstorm weren't to your taste? I'd be interested in analysis of those games from you also.

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  Рік тому +1

      New N Tasty not so much, I think Soulstorm would be more interesting to look through as I think it really has some good points. Should get to them all at some point. Glad you enjoyed it.

  • @deathbitestudios4728
    @deathbitestudios4728 4 роки тому +2

    Munch is basic deadpool in the making 40:24

  • @teddybaruch4147
    @teddybaruch4147 6 років тому +1

    Oh Wow your back!

  • @VikingVern7
    @VikingVern7 3 роки тому +2

    Great Vid!, i think it should have been mentioned the odd placement of the vending machines, seems like alot of inacessable places for normal consumers 57:17 for example. Having them up a wall and above water. Wish they would have had a bridge across to a locked door, wouldnt have made much difference except to make the environment more believeable.
    Also its odd that the vending machines seem free and unlimited. In a game about courprate greed, exploiting limitid recources for profit and squashing rebellion its odd they would produce products that create superpowers and hand them out all over the place for free.

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  3 роки тому +2

      That's such a funny detail that I hadn't even considered that.
      What annoys me most about that vending machine is it's not a challenge to reach it, just tedious. Like the level designer was desperate for ways to mix it up.

  • @okokayred
    @okokayred 3 роки тому +2

    Yeah he’s not brainwashed. It’s a sonar device to find the fuzzle trap

  • @Einzeilhandery
    @Einzeilhandery 2 роки тому +1

    my only problem with the game is that controlling a slig doesnt feel good, shooting an enemy causing them to knock down instantly, making you cant continuously damage them is annoying
    also, stealth work and i think i use it the way it supposed to be use, abe can sneak up on sligs and pick them up, i used this to move lone enemy or throw them into pits and mines, work really well

  • @adamcook968
    @adamcook968 9 місяців тому

    Munch is an evolved mudskipper.
    Change my mind lol

  • @JoellJoelly
    @JoellJoelly 3 роки тому

    still waiting for stranger's wrath

  • @djukor
    @djukor 4 роки тому +4

    Wanted to play this game as i am a fan of the original games. It just aged so badly. The controls are so stiff and awkward even walking in a straight line on a bridge is frustrating and the biggest hassle is as you stated bad AI path-finding. Hope they also remake the game one day like the other ones but i kinda doubt it.

  • @suifufunun
    @suifufunun 2 роки тому

    whats the music in the background? is it from the game?

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  2 роки тому

      Yeah it's one of the tracks from the ost. Can't remember the name

  • @icespeaker81
    @icespeaker81 Рік тому

    I love this game's world, but the tedium will block me from ever playing it again. Just you mentioning the meep farm made me physically cringe. It's asinine just how tiring Munch's Oddysee can be. Had fun watching this!

  • @santiagogallego8695
    @santiagogallego8695 3 роки тому +4

    Given how you like more seriousness in oddworld, you must really like soulstorm

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  3 роки тому +3

      Mate, I have so many conflicting thoughts about Soulstorm it'd be a 5 hour video if I ever make it. It's like everything they fix, they break a dozen other things.
      How are you finding Soulstorm? Story and gameplay?

    • @santiagogallego8695
      @santiagogallego8695 3 роки тому

      @@razeyourgame i sadly havent been able to buy it yet so i just saw a long gameplay, im more in for the story anyways, i like how they grabbed og parts of the story and are doing it again but a bit more serious and i love the cinematics, the gameplay looks good tho kind of the same old, if you ever make a video about it tho i will totally watch it

    • @pawlogates
      @pawlogates 3 роки тому

      @@razeyourgame Soulstorm is basically new n tasty of exoddus which is a huge shame ;(

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  3 роки тому +2

      @@pawlogates I would go even harsher than that. New n Tasty at the very least retained the ideas. Soulstorm just feels so stripped out, plus it has all of the other issues.
      It feels to me abit like expecting Mario 64 and then getting Crash Bandicoot (albeit a worse version). It just feels like so much is missing in terms of ideas.

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  3 роки тому +3

      @@santiagogallego8695 I'm about halfway in and I'm intrigued by the story. I hope it keeps up the energy it currently has.
      Cheers man. I literally only stopped doing the channel as much cause I went self employed and it's hard to justify spending as much time on videos when I could work (boring reason). But Soulstorm has got me itching to make another.

  • @MaDnBaD
    @MaDnBaD 2 роки тому +1

    wow. Thanks for explaining.
    I tried playing Munch, but didn't get all he features of mechanics and lost an interest fast.
    Still the very first original one game about Abe is the favourite one as for me)

  • @mrbeanie7676
    @mrbeanie7676 3 роки тому

    hey will you ever do stranger wrath video ?

  • @Toro563
    @Toro563 2 роки тому +1

    Why don't you upload again?

  • @pawlogates
    @pawlogates 2 роки тому

    Will there be a stranger video? I rewatched all of your videos over 10 times cause appart from rare grammatical errors (and overfocusing on "pacing" in exoddus), they are excellent critiques and I need them

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  2 роки тому +3

      Lol trust me mate the older I get the more problems I see with them.
      It's been years so I won't make promises but I've recently been writing Soulstorm script so who knows. Glad you enjoy them

  • @aimenabbas5516
    @aimenabbas5516 Рік тому

    👍

  • @tarponpet
    @tarponpet 3 роки тому +2

    Hope you come back for Soulstorm!

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  3 роки тому +1

      Playing it this weekend. I'm very excited. You got any thoughts on it if you've played it?

    • @tarponpet
      @tarponpet 3 роки тому

      @@razeyourgame It's interesting, I definently like it, and haven't encountered a lot of the bugs other people have, though I've heard some plot elements from the orignal are weirdly understated in this version. I like how sparing sligs is an option.

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  3 роки тому +2

      @@tarponpet Interesting. The story is one of the things I'm looking to most because of the abe centric change to the quintology now.
      My one concern is that while Munch's Oddysee was abit of a mess, it was at least them expanding their horizons. I'm hoping the games going forwards aren't just retreads of the original formula as it seems like that was never the original intention given the huge gameplay mix ups in Munch and Strangers Wrath.

    • @tarponpet
      @tarponpet 3 роки тому

      @@razeyourgame Yeah I hope we atleast get the return of Munch to the plot in the next even if it's only in more of sidekick role.

    • @tarponpet
      @tarponpet 3 роки тому

      @@razeyourgame Also the game sadly doesn't have any natural enemies with the exception of one new one, fleeches are oddly absent, though I understand Scrabs and Paramites being cut as their areas in Exoddus were to save resources.

  • @tarponpet
    @tarponpet 6 років тому +3

    You forgot about Interns.

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  6 років тому +2

      Tarponpet Secord I can't even recall them from the game now. What are they?

    • @tarponpet
      @tarponpet 6 років тому +1

      Raze Your Game the guys with the mouths stitched shut that work for the Vykkers. Sort of like the vyker equivalent of Sligs. You seemed to confuse them for Vykkers. There are also armored interns.

    • @razeyourgame
      @razeyourgame  6 років тому +4

      Tarponpet Secord i absolutely did. There's always some little detail to miss apparently. Thanks for pointing it out.

    • @tarponpet
      @tarponpet 6 років тому +1

      Raze Your Game No problem.

  • @RichardCharles-zl2dc
    @RichardCharles-zl2dc Рік тому

    #KeyLogFunAndGames

  • @LeicesterCityDownUnder
    @LeicesterCityDownUnder 2 роки тому

    Who pissed in ya cup of tea mate?
    That was unnecessary negative nit picky review
    Terrible hatorade galore