Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the dark and twisted nature of the story, with some describing it as a "dark and relevant story about animal slaughter and capitalism" (Level7.nu) and a "meaningful story about empowerment, selflessness, and the exploitation of the underprivileged" (GameTrailers). The satirical elements of the story were also highly appreciated, with critics highlighting the social commentary and satire present in the game's narrative. Digital Spy mentioned that the game spins "a tale rich in social commentary and satire" and Official Xbox Magazine UK stated that the game's satirical tale "has lost none of its zing." The protagonist, Abe, was widely praised for being charismatic, hilarious, and lovable. DarkStation described Abe as a "charismatic and hilarious protagonist" and Softpedia mentioned that Abe is a "lovable character." While the majority of critics had positive opinions about the story, there were few negative comments. Some critics felt that the story was somewhat predictable, with Cubed3 stating that the game "reinvigorates the original plot" but doesn't offer much new. However, this criticism was not prevalent among the majority of reviewers, and it did not significantly impact their overall positive opinions. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty is highly enjoyable, entertaining, and thought-provoking. The majority of critics found the story to be captivating, whimsical, and charming, with a good balance of dark humor and grotesque elements. The game's narrative was praised for its social commentary, satirical elements, and the protagonist's journey to save his enslaved friends. The positive opinions of critics such as Game Informer, who described the game as "fantastic" with a "lovable hero" and Game Revolution, who highlighted the game's narrated cinematics and Abe's rhyming dialogue, further support the overall positive consensus. Despite a few minor criticisms, the story of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty is widely regarded as a strong and engaging aspect of the game.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty are generally positive. Many critics praise the game for its challenging puzzles and platforming elements. They appreciate the emphasis on outsmarting enemies and utilizing the environment to progress. The ability to possess creatures and issue commands is also highlighted as a standout mechanic. Critics like Pure Xbox and Gameplanet specifically mention the trial and error nature of the puzzles, which require logical thinking and planning ahead. The addition of quick save/load function is also praised by ZTGD. The gameplay is described as a blend of various elements such as side-scrolling adventure, puzzle-solving, stealth, and light platforming, which has stood the test of time according to Video Chums. However, there are some negative aspects of the gameplay that critics point out. The controls are criticized for being imprecise and occasionally frustrating, as mentioned by Game Revolution, Game Informer, and Starbit. Some critics, such as Gaming Age and USgamer, feel that the controls are not precise enough and do not provide enough help in a demanding game. Game Informer specifically mentions that uncooperative controls can lead to frustration when traversing certain obstacles. The need for trial and error in solving puzzles is also mentioned as a potential source of frustration by Game Informer. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty is challenging and rewarding. The mix of platforming and puzzle-solving elements, along with the ability to possess enemies and issue commands, is appreciated by many critics. The game is praised for its emphasis on outsmarting enemies and utilizing the environment to progress. While there are some criticisms regarding imprecise controls and occasional frustration, the overall sentiment is positive. The gameplay is described as a blend of various elements that make it feel fresh and distinct, with the puzzles and mechanics standing out in the genre. The game strikes a fine balance between puzzling and platforming, making it enjoyable and accessible for players, as mentioned by NowGamer and Digitally Downloaded.

The majority of the critics praised the Graphics and Visual Design of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty, with many describing it as gorgeous, immersive, and visually appealing. They commended the game's use of the Unity engine, which allowed for a complete overhaul of the graphics and the creation of a well-realized and unique world. Critics such as DarkStation, Pure Xbox, and GameTrailers specifically highlighted the game's stunning visuals and the effort put into the graphical improvements. The game's 2.5D design, fully 3D environments, and detailed polygonal graphics were also mentioned as positive aspects by critics like Official Xbox Magazine UK, Gaming Nexus, and Nintendo Enthusiast. The graphical remastering was praised for revamping the visuals while still maintaining the distinct look of the original, as noted by critics like Digital Spy and PlayStation Universe. While the overall consensus of the critics was positive, there were a few negative aspects mentioned regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of the game. Nintendo Life mentioned that some aspects of the game did not compare well to the original in terms of level design and animation. Pure Nintendo noted that the art direction had lost some of its roughness, which may not be welcomed by those familiar with the original game. Additionally, Noisy Pixel pointed out that the game showed its age during cinematics with low resolution. Overall, the critics' opinions indicate that the Graphics and Visual Design of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty were highly praised. The majority of the critics found the graphics to be stunning, with attention to detail, impressive lighting effects, and a well-realized world. The use of the Unity engine and the complete graphical overhaul were seen as significant improvements, breathing new life into the game. While there were a few criticisms regarding certain aspects, such as level design and animation, the overall sentiment leans heavily towards the positive side. The game's visuals were considered a major highlight, contributing to the immersive and enjoyable experience of playing Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the Sound Design and Music of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty, it is evident that there are several positive aspects highlighted by the critics. DarkStation commends the redone soundwork and enjoyable 'gamespeak' mechanics, while Pure Xbox praises the well-done voice acting, including the involvement of series creator Lorne Lanning and David Hayter. USgamer also highlights the top-notch voice acting and well-articulated effects with a sense of humor. These positive comments indicate that the sound design and voice acting in the game are generally well-received by the critics. However, there are also some negative aspects mentioned by the reviewers. Softpedia notes that while the soundtrack complements the action well, the sound effects can become annoying after a while. PlayStation Universe mentions that the sound can be muffled at times, although it can be adjusted in the audio settings. Nintendo Life specifically points out that the sound of Abe's chant, which was once mystical and otherworldly, now sounds like babbling, suggesting a potential disappointment in the sound design in that aspect. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty are generally positive. Game Informer mentions enhanced sounds that add to the overall experience, and Nintendo Enthusiast praises the top-notch audio and humorous dialogue. Cubed3 highlights the satisfaction of interacting with the sound design through actions like farting and leading guards to traps. IGN mentions the wealth of newly recorded dialogue that adds personality to the characters. These positive comments, along with the few negative aspects mentioned, suggest that the sound design and music in the game contribute positively to the overall experience, creating an immersive and enjoyable audio atmosphere.

The voice acting in Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty receives mostly positive feedback from the critics. Pure Xbox commends the voice acting done by series creator Lorne Lanning, stating that it is "very well done." Game Revolution also praises the voice acting, particularly in the cinematics, where Abe narrates the story with a casual and charming tone. Nintendo Enthusiast adds that Abe's interactions with the Mudokons are well-acted and contribute to the game's overall charm. These positive opinions highlight the effectiveness of the voice acting in bringing the characters to life and enhancing the game's atmosphere. While the majority of critics express satisfaction with the voice acting, there is a lack of detailed negative feedback. IGN mentions the newly recorded dialogue for Abe, his fellow Mudokons, and the Slig guards, but does not provide specific commentary on its quality. ZTGD notes that the dialogue is minimal and consists mostly of monosyllabic grunts, but still acknowledges that there is more personality here than in some story-driven games. The absence of specific negative criticism suggests that the voice acting is generally well-received and does not significantly detract from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty is a positive aspect of the game. The voice acting is praised for its quality and its ability to add charm and personality to the characters and cinematics. The lack of detailed negative feedback further supports the notion that the voice acting is generally well-executed. With positive comments from critics such as Pure Xbox, Game Revolution, and Nintendo Enthusiast, it is clear that the voice acting contributes positively to the overall experience of the game.

In terms of the technical performance on the PS4, the critics had mixed opinions. Digital Spy appreciated the clunky and imprecise controls, as it added to the experience of playing as an unlikely hero. Level7.nu praised the smooth performance and the implementation of a quicksave system. However, NZGamer pointed out that the frame-rate became jittery and unstable when more particle effects appeared on-screen, and there were instances of crashing or system lock-ups. PlayStation Universe also mentioned some input lag and occasional issues with triggering moves. ZTGD highlighted issues with the quick save/load function causing looping deaths and ads splattered all over the game showcasing other indie games. On the Nintendo Switch, the critics had a similar sentiment regarding the controls. Cubed3 mentioned that the controls were as awkward as they always were but found it somehow charming. Pure Nintendo acknowledged some minor issues like falling through a level or audio stuck on a loop but considered them non-game-breaking. Video Chums also found the controls to be clunky and imprecise, leading to frustration. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that while there are some positives, such as smooth performance and the addition of extra checkpoints and a quicksave system on both platforms, the technical performance of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty has its share of negatives. These negatives include clunky and imprecise controls, frame-rate issues, crashing or system lock-ups, input lag, and occasional issues with triggering moves. It is worth noting that some critics, like Digital Spy and Cubed3, found certain aspects of the technical performance charming or part of the overall experience. However, the general sentiment leans towards frustration and inconsistency in the controls, which can impact the overall enjoyment of the game.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty are generally positive. Multiple critics, such as DarkStation and Pure Xbox, highlight the inclusion of leaderboards and speed-run competitions as features that add replay value to the game. These elements provide players with the opportunity to challenge themselves and compete with others, enhancing the longevity of the gameplay experience. Additionally, IGN mentions the option to save Mudokons and discover secret rooms, which encourages replayability. The ability to unlock different endings based on the number of Mudokons saved, as mentioned by Nintendo Enthusiast, also adds incentive for players to replay the game and make different choices. However, there are some critics who mention the lack of major content additions in terms of replay value. Game Informer acknowledges that while there are more Mudokons to rescue and the levels flow better, there are no significant new additions to the game. Nintendo Life also states that only the hardest difficulty mode is truly worth playing, suggesting that the replay value may be limited for players who are not seeking a significant challenge. Additionally, Video Chums mentions that the Switch version of the game does not offer any new incentives or content for players who already own it on another console, potentially reducing the replay value for those individuals. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty offers a decent amount of replay value. The inclusion of leaderboards, speed-run competitions, and the ability to save Mudokons and discover secret rooms are praised as features that enhance replayability. The challenging puzzles, additional checkpoints, and quick-save option mentioned by Digital Spy make the game more forgiving and accessible, appealing to a wider range of players. The presence of multiple endings, extra zones, and additional Mudokons to save, as highlighted by critics like Nintendo Enthusiast and The Games Machine, further contribute to the overall replay value of the game. However, the lack of major content additions and limited incentives for players who already own the game on another console are mentioned as potential drawbacks.