Product Description

The power-packing Xbox hardware delivers the third Oddworld title in one of the most brilliantly realized settings to grace any gaming system. Blending unique gameplay, humorous characters and interactions, and the aforementioned graphics, Munch's Oddysee simply feels unlike any other game in the console gaming line-up. Players control two characters in the game: Munch, a wheelchair-bound hero, and Abe, a character some gamers will recognize from previous Oddworld games. Their goal is to find and free the Mudokon queen, keeper of the remaining eggs of an endangered species. Both characters feature unique talents that, via a tag-team style of play, propel the player through the game. For instance, Abe can climb and jump to reach new areas, as well as temporarily possess an enemy's soul via a chant. The web-footed Munch can swim to new areas and, when on the roll in his wheelchair, use his sonar plug to control machinery remotely. Saving an entire race also requires a coordinated effort on everyone's part. To get the job done quickly, players can deliver verbal commands to kinsmen. They'll gladly greet you (in a witty manner), then gang up on a mean-spirited enemy or accomplish difficult tasks for you. As with the rest of the game world, the finely detailed characters and environments, as well as a refreshing charm, draw you into an experience with the quality of a Pixar film. Prepare for gaming to get very odd indeed.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3974 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Microsoft
• Released on: 2002-03-14
• Platform: Xbox

Amazon.co.uk Review
Prepare to enter the world of the Gabbit aka: (Munch), in Oddworld Munch Oddysee. If you've played either of the prequels, featuring the infamous Abe then you will be familiar with their breathtaking imagination and innovation. Packed with much of the same and more, Munch is now presented in luxurious 3-D. From the opening sequence showing the distressing capture of the last Gabbit you will be drawn into this visually stunning game. After wiping away the tears prepare to embark on your first adventure.

First things first though, indulge yourself with the "Game Speak" not essential but highly amusing all the same. Once mastered you'll begin the game with the original star Abe. As you enter the first cavern you'll be aided by great in-game instructions, so it won't take long to unravel the first few simple levels. Once you've got to grips with the controls you can start to hunt down those lazy Mudokons.

Soon the action cuts to Munch, after receiving some minor surgery from his captors he is now equipped with sonar. This new headgear becomes the tool in which he makes his escape, aided by his new friends the Fuzzles. Now he's set to escape the lair of his captors, not forgetting to rescue those cute Fuzzles along the way. After some intense game play the two heroes meet up and become one devastating force working together to find the last batch of Gabbit's eggs. You will need your wits about you to solve puzzles in this dual action adventure.

Munch is a joy to watch and play. Complete with laughs gags and outstanding graphics this is one of the most innovative games you are likely to find. So jump in and immerse yourself in this fun-filled Oddysee.--Rob Holliday

Customer Reviews

great fun and very enjoyable
This game is one of my top games already and i've only had it for about two weeks. The graphics are amazing. Some of the levels were pretty hard but some were short and simple.Munch and Abe are not at all the same, for example Abe cannot swim but Munch can and Abe is quite fast and Munch very slow. Everyone is made up and is sort of weird. Fuzzles are cute but very lethal, let them out of their cages!!!!! I think this game should be in the top 5 in the xbox charts.

Review
What made the first Oddworld so fantastic was the integration of story, action, art design and sour humor that made it one of the most polished packages I've ever seen on a console. You may not have enjoyed the 2D Prince of Persia style gameplay, or maybe you didn't like the creepy character design -- but as a package, it was hard to argue that Oddworld as a whole was the product of a unique company, and a unique mind. Those of us that loved every bit of the original game -- and I'm one of them -- felt like we'd finally found a platform game for grown ups.

Munch is also that, but only in spurts and moments. The jump to 3D has been a tough one on the series, and rather than tweak the game design altogether, they opted to mimic the 2D "learn from death" style, which plays out as slow, repetitive, and at times tedious in the large and more complex 3D environments. What's worse is that the game and the storyline aren't integrated at all, with cutscenes wedged betweens levels that have no thematic connection.

The final product comes off as anything but polished, and suffers from a lack of variety, and an overabundance of repetition that keeps this game from truly shining like I wished it would. As much as I like the characters and the design of the new Munch game, I'm still hoping for the true spiritual sequel to my good old Abe.

A well entertaining platformer
The third game in the Oddworld series was originaly promised to be on PS2, but then all of a sudden it came out on X-Box for some reason. Graphically it isn't anything the PS2 couldn't handle, relativly detailed textures and it only runs at 30fps @60hz or 25fps at 50hz. Now the Oddworld adventure is in full 3D and the game is shared with two characters, Abe our original hero and introducing Munch and you can use them together or alternativly depending on the mission. If you are a veteran to this series than all the usual play methods won't be new to you all though they are far more clever now. If you are new, well the basics is that you have to rescue your friends and depending on what the mission is you may have to use them to help you get through the levels, also Abe can possess enemies and Munch is a great swimmer. Not exactly a ground breaking game but now it is at a budget price is definatly worth a look at, a funny and entertaining game.