Oddworld, Follow me!

[ScutigeraColeoptrata]

Greetings fellow Bog Leeches,

Let's talk about not just one specific game, but one of the most in-depth video game universes ever created; Oddworld, a planet devised by Lorne Lanning that is said to be seven times the size of Earth. Currently, Oddworld consists of seven games which all share the common theme of cruel and malevolent industrialized races victimizing and destroying other, more naturalistic species. While that may at first seem heavy handed, Oddworld's story and characters are wonderfully subtle and original takes on social stereotypes, and the character designs have a great deal of personality and are extremely original.

For example, this is a Scrab:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us


Scrabs are fiercely territorial creatures native to Scrabania. They are so feared that even
Fleeches avoid them, and they were worshiped as sacred animal of the Mudanchee Mudokon tribe, a warrior society. To repay their unwavering respect, the Scrabs watch over their remains in the Mudanchee Vaults of Necrum.

And here is a Paramite:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Paramites are social animals native to Paramonia. They only attack in groups or when cornered, being peaceful most of the time. They were worshiped by the peaceful Mudomo Modokon tribe, and just like the Scrabs the Paramites repay that respect by watching over the remains of the Mudomo at Necrum.

You can read more about these creatures here:

http://oddworld.wikia.com/wiki/Scrab

http://oddworld.wikia.com/wiki/Paramite

These two creatures were important to the first game, Abe's Oddysee, but I also chose them because I wanted to show the incredible amount of creativity and thought that has gone into the creation of this game world; they are only two of literally dozens of amazing creature designs from this universe. While Oddworld's gameplay is fun and involved, I think it is the art and the story more than anything that makes this franchise one of the most endearing in video game history.

The designs aren't the only thing Oddworld has going for it either; from the start, Oddworld is a place you just can't help but want to know more about. The opening cinematic of Abe's Oddysee does an excellent job of setting the mood and engaging the audience/player. Take a look yourself and see if you don't agree:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_xGGcoWiJY

Chances are many of you are familiar with Oddworld, and may have played one or more of the games. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this rare gem of a series. If you haven't experienced any of the Oddworld games, I highly recommend checking them out, as they are a lot of fun.

[dodoman1]

I have or used to have Abe's Oddysee. I fucking hated that game so much and I forget exactly why. I do like Oddworld itself, though.

I personally prefer the Paramites because of how their head looks like a huge hand.

[ScutigeraColeoptrata]

It's true that the puzzles in Abe's Oddysee could be a bit obtuse at times. The sequel, Abe's Exoddus, is more straightforward but still quite challenging.

Apparently the design for the Paramite is a combination of a human hand, a spider and a pig.

[Jesus lizard]

When I first saw an Oddworld game at a young age, I thought that they were too... well... odd for my tastes.
I find the world that these take place in delightful, and have been meaning to research into it.

[dejexa13]

i'm partial to Paramites myself. the only problem i have with the games is that all of the science races are ignorant or evil.

also almost all of the intelligent races of oddworld have queens as the only females.

[Arachnid knight]

Well, Stranger's wrath had a scientific chartacter that was more neutral, but he was just a surgeon, so I'm not sure how well that flies.


And the all together message of oddworld isn't so much anti-science, as it is a voice for environmentalism and a voice against rampant, unchecked industrialism, which uses, exploits, and abuses resources such as land, creatures, and above-all, people. This was best stated, in my opinion, with Stranger's Wrath.

[scythemantis]

I never beat Oddysey, but I beat and loved Exxodus.

[ScutigeraColeoptrata]

Another thing I really like about Oddworld is that no one race is really glorified. The player is invited to sympathize with the Mudokons because they are being exploited and live in horrific conditions, but unlike, say, the Na'vi from Avatar, the average Mudokon is just as dense and self-centered as any other average member of a civilized Oddworld species.

[Dr.Starky]

Sligs are awesome. How can you not love these guys?