Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty Preview
Back in the mid to late ‘90s 3D platformers were all the rage. Super Mario 64 changed the game and suddenly every developer scrambled to create the next big 3D action game. From Crash Bandicoot to Spyro the Dragon to Croc (ugh), the 3D platformers kept coming. 2D was all but dead. Then, a little game called Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee came out, with a decidedly 2D viewpoint. The lush backdrops and unique gameplay were a breath of fresh air. Each area was filled with dangers, combining stealth elements with puzzle solving to rescue your friends from becoming processed into food. I liked it so much that I gave it a 9 out of 10 back in the day.
Now the game is being remade for the Wii U, but 2D side-scrollers are very common once again. Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty once again sees you playing as the lovable Abe who stumbles across his boss’s secret plan to turn the factory’s slave labor force into Rupture Farms Tasty Treats meat snacks. It’s up to Abe (and you) to not only save himself from the impending doom and gloom, but also all of his fellow people.
The original game was known for its striking pre-rendered backgrounds and use of dramatic lighting. The graphics have been completely overhauled for the Wii U and give it an amazing new coat of paint. The areas are still visually stunning and the stark shadows and light make the game really stand out. If you’ve played games like Out of This World or Flashback, you’ll have an idea of what to expect here. Each area is filled with puzzle solving, pulling levers, and manipulating objects, in order to lead your fellow subjects to freedom.
New ‘n’ Tasty will release on the Wii U eShop on February 11, 2016 in the States. It will sell for $14.99, not a bad price for a game that has quite a bit of content. If you like your action/adventure games filled with stealth areas and puzzles to solve, with just a pinch of humor and strangeness, this one could be for you.
Craig has been covering the video game industry since 1995. His work has been published across a wide spectrum of media sites. He’s currently the Editor-In-Chief of Nintendo Times and contributes to Gaming Age.
