Oddworld-Strangers-Wrath
Latest
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath PS4 version a possibility, according to creator
Abe's Oddysee may not be the only game in Lorne Lanning's Oddworld series to be getting a makeover - Lanning told Eurogamer at this year's Game Developers Conference that he'd like to bring the 2005 Xbox title Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath to the PlayStation 4. Stranger's Wrath HD already exists on the PlayStation 3 and Vita, but Lanning said this version would be "a new SKU with some new dynamics." Of course, wanting something doesn't necessarily make it so. "We're still going over budgets and schedules and stuff like that," Lanning cautioned. This makes sense, considering Lanning also stated that the upcoming Oddworld: New 'N' Tasty would need to sell at least a quarter of a million units to fund more HD translations of the franchise. [Image: EA]
Binary Domain, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath free on PS Plus this week
When the PlayStation Store updates tomorrow, PS Plus subscribers will have access to a pair of new free downloads. Both Binary Domain on PS3 and Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD on PS Vita will be up for grabs. Binary Domain is a third-person shooter, developed by Yakuza Team for Sega, set in a future populated by robots, humans and even robots that look like humans. The heart of Binary Domain is its Consequence system, which takes player actions into account and modifies squad AI behavior based on how they view your choices. Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, the action-adventure where you hunt down bounties as the gruff-but-lovable Stranger, was developed by Oddworld Inhabitants and originally launched on the Xbox back in 2005. It is categorized by a unique system where players use in-game creatures as ammo. We've heard of pea shooters, but this one's got bee shooters. In addition to the free downloads, Worms 2: Armageddon will be on sale tomorrow when the weekly content update drops. It's regularly $15 but will be discounted down to $4.50.
PS Plus delivers Dragon's Dogma, Soul Sacrifice, free PS4 games in November
Sony unveiled next month's PlayStation Plus lineup, announcing that subscribers will receive a slate of free games for the PlayStation 3, PS Vita, and PlayStation 4 in time for International Turkey Day. Sony's subscription service hosts its first batch of PlayStation 4 freebies in November, as early adopters will receive free downloadable copies of Compulsion Games' shadowy puzzle-platformer Contrast and Housemarque's Defender-like shoot-'em-up Resogun. Contrast serves as a last-minute replacement for Driveclub, which was originally scheduled to take part in next month's PlayStation Plus lineup before its recent delay. Capcom's Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen and Sega's Binary Domain headline November's PlayStation 3 offerings, joining Sparpweed's co-op action game Ibb and Obb. PlayStation Vita owners can expect to see Sony's Monster Hunter-inspired action-RPG Soul Sacrifice, along with an upgraded HD version of Just Add Water's Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath. PlayStation Plus members in Europe receive Konami's Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance in next month's package, along with Remember Me, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD, and MotorStorm RC.
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD now on PC via Steam, discounted along with Oddboxx collection
The HD remake of Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath is now available on Steam, replacing the decidedly un-HD version that has existed on Valve's service since 2010. Normally available for $9.99, the game has been discounted by 30 percent for the next 30 hours or so. Owners of the original standard-definition version will be able to download the new hotness for free "soon," so says Oddworth Inhabitants. In addition to the obvious boon of higher-resolution textures and character models built from more polygons, the HD release also includes 12 new Steamworks achievements that weren't in the original port, as well as new unlockable concept art and movie extras, additional difficulty levels, more Easter eggs and improved PC controls.Coincidentally, the Oddboxx collection has also been marked down by 30 percent for the next 30 hours, meaning that you can snag Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, Oddworld: Abe's Exodus, Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee and Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD for $10.49.
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD reaches PSN by year's end
If you weren't overwhelmed by the glut of new games in 2011, there were plenty of polished oldies to keep you occupied -- and we'll have to make room for one more of those before 2012 sets up shop. Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD is coming to the European PSN on December 21, and to the US store on December 27. Headed by Gravity Crash developer Just Add Water, the Stranger's Wrath overhaul contains -- among other things -- upgraded character models, enriched environments, bug fixes, difficulty modifiers and even minor corrections to visual continuity. (Example: "Sekto's Office has been changed to more closely resemble that seen in the FMV.") You'll get all that for $14.99 (or £9.99), alongside the stuff we loved back in 2005: unusual weaponry, off-beat characters and, err, not-so-subtle commentary on the ecological devastation wrought by rampant consumerism and corporate expansion. It's Oddworld. Just Add Water also announced via Twitter that the HD updates would come to the PC version of Stranger's Wrath within two to three months. The PlayStation 3 game will also get an update within a "couple months," adding the Move and 3D support that was planned but not implemented in time.
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD Trophies rounded up
While playing Oddworld's weirdo western is reward enough, Stranger's Wrath HD wouldn't be considered a complete update without in-game gongs. Developer Just Add Water has posted a list of the game's Trophies and, as a pleasant bonus, a reminder that you get to foil the schemes of one "Fatty McBoomBoom." According to an Oddworld representative posting in the comments, these Trophies should also become available on the Steam version of Stranger's Wrath, and any subsequent platform that supports achievements. Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD is complete, according to the developers, and now awaits a final release date on PS3 and Vita. Talks with Microsoft regarding an Xbox 360 version are still ongoing.
GOG adds Stranger's Wrath, discounts The Longest Journey
GOG is pointing a double-barreled crossbow of delight at us, with a deep discount on The Longest Journey and the addition of Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath. Departing from the regular Oddworld expectations, Stranger's Wrath is a hybrid of third-person action and first-person shooter, seasoned with elements of the Spaghetti Western and Oddworld touches like the "live" critter ammo. The game is available now on GOG for $9.99. If you'd prefer a sweeping adventure, The Longest Journey is on sale for $3.99. Much like The Neverending Story, we can't vouch for the accuracy of game's title, but it does involve a very long journey, so you'll definitely get your money's worth in this classic point-and-click adventure.
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath and Munch's Oddysee coming to PlayStation Vita
Despite being omitted from the grand list of PlayStation Vita developers, Just Add Water hit the Twitters to confirm Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath and Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee will both be on the Vita. Additionally, each game will support cross-platform cloud save functionality.
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath inhabits PS3 this summer
Assuming the PlayStation Store is up and running by then, Oddworld Inhabitants plans to release the HD remake of the fantasy-themed third-person shooter Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath on PS3 this summer. Other platforms weren't explicitly mentioned in the latest press release, but developer Just Add Water has previously expressed interest in patching the existing PC version with the PS3 remake's improvements. Oddworld Inhabitants also re-confirmed its intention to release Munch's Oddysee on PSN in the fall. Last month, it pinpointed the PS3 release of the Xbox launch title for October.
PSA: Oddboxx gets an even 50% discount for a week, available on more services
Those looking to nab The Oddboxx from a service other than Steam, now is your chance. Oddworld Inhabitants has announced that the compilation, which brings together Abe's Oddysey, Abe's Exoddus, Munch's Oddysee and Stranger's Wrath, is now available from several other distribution services. The press release notes that The Oddboxx should now be available via Direct2Drive, Amazon, GamersGate, Impulse and GoG.com. As of this posting, however, we've only seen it available via Direct2Drive and GamersGate. Also, as promised, The Oddboxx's price will be cut in half across all services (Steam included) for the next week. That's all four Oddworld games for just over twelve bucks. Not bad.
Just Add Water working on four Oddworld games for this year
After news surfaced last summer that Gravity Crash developer Just Add Water is working on multiple Oddworld projects, we wondered just what the UK-based dev had up its sleeves. And while we already heard about remakes of Stranger's Wrath headed for PlayStation 3 and Abe's Oddyseey for unknown platforms, a post on the company's official site meant to solicit new talent also revealed that said talent "would be working on various Oddworld Inhabitants-based projects, with four to be released THIS year [their emphasis]." Given that we know of two other Oddworld titles getting remakes -- notably the first and the last of the series -- it stands to reason that Abe's Exoddus and Munch's Oddysee are also getting the HD treatment. Just Add Water is staying mum for now, though, instead choosing to tantalize us with vague blog posts. That said, don't go getting your hopes up for that long awaited new entry in the Oddworld series -- last we heard, it was "on hold." And hey, if you're a programmer or artist in the UK with a penchant for working with strange creatures, Just Add Water's hiring!
Stranger's Wrath HD dev will 'look to' bring PS3 update to PC for free
While we're no closer to learning if the HD update to the formerly Xbox-exclusive Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath will ever make it to Xbox Live Arcade – either it's got to shrink in size or Microsoft has to bump up that size limit ... again – developer Just Add Water is hinting at another platform that may see the "NOT PS3-exclusive" remake. JAW's Stewart Gilray took to the Steam forums to placate Oddboxx consumers angry about the inconsistency of the PC port of Stranger's Wrath. Porting the title from Xbox (and an Xbox-specific implementation of DirectX) to PC and OpenGL introduced a number of issues, which Gilray was eager to address. "From a personal note, to read these comments that the game is beyond broken hurts," he wrote in the forums. "I am always incredibly paranoid about that work I/we do and am always self-critical, so please help us fix these issues by providing as much positive feedback as you can with system specs and detailed descriptions." As users turned in (generally angry) bug reports, one asked the question everyone's been wondering: "Why can't the PC port be as good as the PS3 version?" Gilray responded simply, "Because the PS3 version is not completed yet," before adding, "As for the PS3 version, we will look to bring this to the PC as an update to the current PC version at a later date." While it's far from a promise, it is a reminder that the HD remake isn't contractually bound to remain a PS3-exclusive, and it's also a potential silver lining for anyone plagued by bugs in the current Oddboxx release. %Gallery-112128%[Thanks, BoogerA]
Oddboxx bundle priced at $24.99
Before the year ends, Oddworld Inhabitants will launch The Oddboxx, a collection of four games for the PC: Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus, Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee and Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath. The latter two titles are being ported to the PC for the first time -- if you want to get your grubby Mudoken mitts on the game, you can pick it up for $24.99 at retail or through one of the more popular digital distribution channels out there, including Steam, Direct2Drive and Amazon.
The Oddboxx to launch in the '2010 Holiday Season' on Steam
As promised, Oddworld Inhabitants reports it will successfully launch The Oddboxx before the end of 2010. A collection of the studio's previous Oddworld games, The Oddboxx includes Abe's Oddysee and Abe's Exoddus, as well as Munch's Oddysee and Stranger's Wrath -- the latter two games' first appearance on the PC platform. Launching on Steam during "the 2010 Holiday Season," gamers will be able to download each title individually or in a complete bundle. Expect "a few new additions and enhancements" to the games, which Oddworld Inhabitants says will be announced "in the run-up to its release date."
Just Add Water talks new models for Stranger's Wrath
Despite what you may think, it turns out that remastering a five-year-old game up to today's graphical standards is actually very complicated. Just Add Water has posted a new developer diary for the upcoming remake of Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, this time discussing the work that has gone into creating the new character models. Some models, like the Stranger, can be based on the models used in the pre-rendered cinematics from the original title. Others, which have no CG version, must be remade from scratch, such as the Fuzzle seen above. Check out the diary, which is full of fancy terms like "NURBS" and "Ambient Occlusion," for a closer look at the Stranger's journey into modernity.
File size restriction currently keeping Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath from XBLA
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath was an Xbox exclusive. Why, then, is the remake exclusive to PlayStation 3? Developer Just Add Water says that it isn't -- theoretically. "Whilst I can't go into complete detail on this," a news post on the company's website states, "I can tell you that we are NOT PS3 Exclusive. As far as we are concerned we are a multi-platform company, supporting the big 3, PC/PS3 & 360." The specific reason why Stranger's Wrath isn't on 360 yet is a surprising one, one we haven't heard for a while: XBLA size restrictions. "On XBLA there is a 2 GigaByte size limit we have to adhere to," the developer said. "Currently the title weighs in at 2.1GB and that is without any updates, so either we have to pull a miracle out of the bag with some type of amazing compression system, or ask Microsoft to increase their 2GB limit, however this limit is apparently hardware led, so please let us try and make a miracle happen." Don't worry, Oddworld fans. Microsoft increasing the XBLA size limit is less a "miracle" and more "inevitable."
Oddworld's Stranger getting a makeover for PS3 remake
As seen in the image above, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath's main character is getting a truckload or two of new polygons in Just Add Water's forthcoming remastered version of the game. How many more, specifically, you ask? Is 17,000 enough, roughly seven times more than the original Xbox version? Certainly is for us! The difference is far more stunning when viewed on a larger scale than our header image will allow, so we'd suggest heading to JAW's dev blog and seeing for yourself. On the same blog, you'll find a handful of details regarding what specifically is being changed about Stranger's Wrath.
Stranger's Wrath HD the first of six Oddworld projects from Just Add Water
The Oddworld franchise is making a comeback, starting with a remastered version of Stranger's Wrath created by a small team at Just Add Water. The developer's ambition encompasses six Oddworld projects in total -- that's an Oddworld Quintology plus one. "Well for one I'm a HUGE fan, and always have been, all the way back to 1997," said Stewart Gilray, managing director of Just Add Water. "Other members of the team are also fans, and as a company we all care deeply about the project, and will only sign off on it ourselves, when we are happy with it in every aspect." Talking to Joystiq via email, Gilray explained that his company's collaboration with Oddworld Inhabitants started when he was introduced to series creator Lorne Lanning, during the 2009 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. Hello. Follow me. Isn't that how all these deals happen?
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath remake coming to PS3 in 2011
Are you ready, Steef? Just Add Water is working on a high-definition remake of Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath. The Gravity Crash developer announced the project earlier today, highlighting it as the first in a "long and fruitful relationship" with the original game's developer, Oddworld Inhabitants. "Having a chance to update the great title and release it on PS3 is just a brilliant opportunity, not least for us, but for the fans too," added Just Add Water MD Stewart Gilray. Set for release on PlayStation Network during Easter next year, the PS3 remake of Stranger's Wrath will offer enhanced 720p visuals, more detailed character models, remastered dialogue, PlayStation Move support and "additional bonus material." When it launched on Xbox in January 2005, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath was notable for being, well, a really bizarre first-person shooter. It placed the franchise's environmental missive inside a wild and weird Western aesthetic, and replaced ammunition with ravenous fuzzballs. An EA-developed port for PlayStation 2 never made it to stores.
Born for Wii: Stranger's Wrath
After the dreary all-night study benders, frantic cramming, and endless writing that coalesce to produce the torturous period that is college finals, gamers around the country find time to kick back, relax, and play through the dreaded backlog that resulted from the flood of titles released during the holiday season. After playing through the wonderful Mirror's Edge, I set my sights on an older title I'd had sitting around for several months (thanks to the Xbox 360's spotty backwards compatibility). That game was Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath.Released towards the end of the Xbox's life cycle in 2005, Stranger's Wrath was also the last game created by Oddworld Inhabitants before the studio shifted focus to creating cinematic movies. And it's a shame, because Stranger's Wrath succeeds at everything it attempts. It's fun, inventive, and as full of life as every other Oddworld creation. Follow along with Stranger (in both first and third person!) as he tracks down bounties in the Odd version of the Old West in this week's Born for Wii. #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; } NEXT >> %Gallery-39955% Every week, Born for Wii digs into gaming's sordid past to unearth a new treasure fit for revival on the Nintendo Wii. Be sure to check out last week's entry in the series, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, and for more great titles that deserve your attention, take a look at Virtually Overlooked.
