Oddworld: Soulstorm Details Revealed at EGX 2017
The original Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee, was released twenty years ago and it still remains both a cult classic and a critical darling. It’s not surprising that the announcement of the new entry in the series has the fans jumping with joy. While the new title has been teased for a while, we haven’t heard much about it yet. However, Lorne Lanning has broken the silence during a developer’s session at the EGX 2017 event.
While Oddworld: Soulstorm does seem like more of the same when Oddworld we know and love, that’s not really a bad thing, is it? Especially if it comes with a nice technical and gameplay overhaul.
Soulstorm will continue where Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty left off, after RuptureFarms were destroyed and CEO Molluck was electrocuted, with Abe “stoking the fire of revolution”. The event has shaken up the traditional power structure of Oddworld and the world’s economy is still suffering the shock. This pits Abe against Mullock and his higher ups; it’s a vicious struggle where he’s branded a terrorist.
The focus of the upcoming entry is the eponymous Soulstorm Brewery. It’s (unsurprisingly) another corrupt organization in the Oddworld. The trailer shows Mudokons being used as test subjects; frequently with fatal results. The brew made in the brewery is not only addictive, it’s made from tears and bones of Mudokons, just for that extra dark and grim feel. If you thought that was all, you were wrong: Lanning said Soulstorm will be even darker than previous games. Abe will have to contend with conspiracies and secret organizations who don’t like he’s upsetting the applecart of Oddworld’s economy by starting a slave rebellion and exposing their unethical (talk about the understatement) practices.
Aside from the expected graphical upgrade, gameplay will receive an overhaul as well. The inventory will be more robust, allowing Abe to carry items which can later be used as components for more complex tools, such as fire extinguishers – quite useful if any of Abe’s followers catch fire.
The slaves Abe released in the previous game stay with him, and our favorite Mudokon must do his best to keep them alive. The players will be able to see all 301 followers at the bottom of the UI, and they can be commanded and ordered to take care of various tasks. They’re not impervious to harm, however, and can be killed.
Oddworld: Soulstorm is expected sometime during 2018.
