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Oddworld Stranger's Wrath | 
| From: Electronic Arts
List Price: $9.99
Buy Used: $4.22
You Save: $5.77 (58%)
New (16) Used (32) from $4.22
Rating:  42 reviews
Sales Rank: 1465
Platform: Xbox
Genre: Adventure Games
ESRB: Teen
Media: Video Game
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Number Of Items: 1
Batteries Included: No
Age: 12 - 20 years
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: 14886
Model: XBEAG 014633148862
UPC: 014633148862
EAN: 0014633148862
ASIN: B0006I5I58
Release Date: January 26, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Use a whole new kind of live ammo - fire small animals like Chippunks, Fuzzles, Thudslugs and Boombats at enemies | | • | You choose the bounties -- gather information on your quarry before going after 'em | | • | Work with a range of strategies as you fight your enemies in 1st- and 3rd-person action, catching your bounties & turning them in for moolah | | • | Take aim in 1st person mode for shooter fun with your double-barreled crossbow | | • | Explore living towns, lush forests, and massive industrial facilities as you go about your mysterious business |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath gives Oddworld fans a chance to get even stranger! Playerswill control The Stranger, a mysterious bounty hunter who tracks down outlaws for big moolah. The game combines 1st-person and 3rd-person perspectives for a new range of gaming action -- while the trademark oddness of Oddworld comes back stronger than ever. Face down devious opponents and hostile challenges as you finish the Stranger's unknown mission. Customize your crossbow and upgrade your live ammo to become a more effective bounty hunter Meet with all-new varieties of townsfolk, enemies and natives that are funny and informative in all kinds of unusual ways
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| Customer Reviews: Read 37 more reviews...
 Great Game February 14, 2005
Terry Mesnard (Bellevue, NE)
50 out of 50 found this review helpful
**UPDATE** Sad news from Lorne Lanning and Oddworld Inhabitants, the creators of this spectacular series. Oddworld Inhabitants is closing its doors. After creating 4 games in what was supposed to be a huge series and with 2 games already in development for next gen systems, they are closing up. Chances are this will be the last game featuring the loveable creatures of Oddworld. But fear not, Lanning believes he might be able to crack into the TV or movie business in order to have his property protected. Keep an eye on them. They are so talented, their studio might be the next Pixar.
On to the review:
I'm very disappointed in the mistreatment this game has been getting from the professional online reviewers like IGN, Gamespot and Gamespy. When I was trying to figure out if this game was worth purchasing or not, I had to literally search the entire page at the Xbox branch of IGN just to find the review. Normally, reviews get top billing; not the case with this beautifully unique game.
A lot has been said about the "gimmick" of having live ammo. Given the series of Oddworld (Abe's Oddysee and Exodus, Munch's Oddysee), how someone could label the live ammo as a gimmick is beyond me. Oddworld is a world very different from our own. Stranger's Wrath just heightened this oddity by giving you creatures to fire instead of finding ammo for your tripple-barrelled, shoots rockets and has a flame-thrower attached, shotgun. And it fits in the universe perfectly. Now, if this was a Halo game (for example), yes having live ammo would be a gimmick. But, it fits in perfectly with the Oddworld mythos and provides a truly engaging experience.
Another thing that I feared after reading the sorely mistaken (IMO) professional reviews was that it was virtually impossible to capture the bosses alive. Being a bounty hunter, it is your mission to capture wanted villains either dead or alive. By capturing them alive you get two or more times the money than capturing them dead.
Now, if you were to read a lot of reviews from IGN etc, it would seem that you couldn't capture any of the bosses alive. While I have been playing games all of my life and am better than the average gamer in some respects, I would definitely not consider myself a master of the FPS genre. By any stretch. And yet I was able to capture every single boss alive. Now, there were a couple that made me very frustrated and it took me more than a handful of tries to do it, I was able to. The game definitely makes you work to get that full bounty but it's not impossible.
As far as the story goes, the developers once again created a uniquely different story involving Stranger and his past. I will not reveal any story spoilers, but not is all what it seems and there will come a point where the way you look at the game changes in an exciting way. And from that point on, the game ramps up the excitement to a wonderful climax.
Graphically, the game is beautiful. It makes me remember why I bought the Xbox. Not only are the lush environments beautifully rendered, but the framerate moves swiftly. Seeing Strange bound at a cheetah speed through these beautiful environments is striking. There is some pop-up, especially in Mango (sp?) Valley where bushes will pop up in the distance. But considering the speed and the graphics the game is pushing, it doesn't really bother me.
As far as controls go, this game is well designed. Switching between first person and third person is as easy as tapping the R3 button. This change works really well, giving you the best of both worlds, the percision of first person shooting, and the fluidity and speed of moving in third person. I have a couple complaints though. Moving up and down rope is a pain. The animation is kinda clunky and I don't see why you can't slide down rope, instead of hand over hand moving down it. Hey, if the Prince can slide down rope, why can't Stranger? But this is a minor quibble.
As far as the sound goes, again Oddworld Inhabitants (the developers) did an excellent job. Stranger's voice is a little silly to me, he talks in a slow drawl that seems to be a cross between Clint Eastwood and Forrest Gump. But the other voices are remarkable, especially considering that most (if not all) are done in house with the Lead voicing most characters in all of the Oddworld games.
My only real complaint is that the game isn't long enough. It's longer than Halo 2 (which is a bonus), and I don't know exactly how many hours I clocked in on it, but it felt like it was over too fast. I guess what disappointed me was that I was having so much fun exploring Oddworld again that no matter how long or short it was I would be sad to leave it. The world is just so interesting.
The level design is also very linear. In today's world of GTA openness, people might have a problem with that, which is why I bring it up. The levels have a set path. That's not to say the gameplay is linear. There are MANY different ways to tackle every situation. The joy of having live ammo is that you are presented with a myriad of ways to take down the opposition, creating gameplay that allows you to experiment. But if you're looking for a Deus Ex type of environment where there are multiple paths to get to the boss, you won't find it here.
What the game does best is refresh video games. From the opening CG cinema (which is Pixar quality) to all of the loveably strange and bizarre characters, this game oozes originality and charm. You can tell the developers truly care about the artform of video games. They love what they do and the game was a refreshing experience.
To sum it up, I can't say enough about this game. It is unique. It is beautiful. And it is fun. Even after the 5th time trying to take down a boss alive, I didn't throw down the controller in anger. It kept me wanting to play until I could take him down. If you are tired of the same old save Earth from "insert name of alien race here", or similar I would definitely recommend this game. It is hard, but it is easily one of the most enjoyable games I have played in ages. And the jolt of energy the games gives you about half way through the game is enough for me to recommend buying this game.
Best game I've played in YEARS! February 3, 2005
Gordon M. Wagner (Suburbia)
21 out of 25 found this review helpful
I read an article on wired.com/news about this game and couldn't wait to get a copy. Got the Prima guide with it, which has been worth the money so far (third day).
I bought a Gamecube and later a PS2 and only recently bought an Xbox (I don't like MS) and I hate to say that the graphics, at least in this game, are out-freaking-standing. Approaching photo-realistic. The scenery in O:SW is PHENOMENAL, great late-afternoon sunset lighting with beautiful little touches like bits of fluff from weeds providing counterpoint to the action and firepower. The graphics really pop.
The "live ammunition" takes some getting used to in much the same way that it took me a while to figure out how to play the PC version of Lemmings oh-so-many-years-ago. It's GREAT fun, very imaginative, and the mazes are terrific so far. The villians are as rotten as they ought to be and the Stranger is a brilliant idea. I'm really looking forward to getting through my day and firing up the Xbox to play some more, and I just don't play that many games (I'm an OLD fart). Or maybe I'm just picky -- it's not every day, or every YEAR, that I find a game that I like, and I **LIKE** this game!
The game feels really tight overall, they did a great job producing it. Good concept, great art direction, the gameplay is a lot of fun -- I love this game! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!! THIS ONE'S WORTH THE MONEY!!!!!
 Way Better Than Munch's Odyssey January 27, 2005
M. Hencke (New York, NY United States)
18 out of 27 found this review helpful
The animation is beautiful, there are some interface issues, the game gets pretty hard after the first three bosses. The dialogue among the Clakkerz doesn't change as much as you might think which gets disappointingly repetitive. But all that said where this XBOX game succeeds it is in the FPS and third person switch which is surprisingly easy to do and looks great. Could be very influential in how other games are designed in the future. In many ways I kind of wish Mercenaries had been designed in this fashion as well. Whether the game will have repeat playability is up for debate (I have beaten about five bosses so far.) The CGI intro sequence was quite good (although throughout the game the dialogue could have used some work)and I hope there will be more of that kind of thing later in the game. My biggest complaint overall is why do all the bad guy characters get all the cool gun weaponry and we're just stuck with the goofy animals and the crossbow? It would have been nice to have at least had the option to use one of the enemies style of guns. The game is refreshingly original though in terms of design much like the first game.
Review Update:
The last section of the game is quite stunning and worth the purchase alone. The end of the game is thrilling and action packed but extremely hard getting there so be strong.
amazing January 29, 2005
Leonard T. Gibson (fresno)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
The people at Oddworld tell amazing stories, and Stranger's Wrath is no exception.
The 3rd person action/adventure / 1st person shooter... and all of it beautiful.
I was a little wary of the 1st person shooter aspect, especially with the "Live Ammo", but once I started playing, I was hooked.
What the guy before me said about the last part being worth the price alone... it's all true.
THIS is how you make a game. I'd put it up there with Ninja Gaiden and the Halo games.
Simply the best TPS/FPS on the XBox February 11, 2005
Vonworm (USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
The title I put is a bold claim; especially with the recent release of Halo 2. But honestly, this latest incarnation of Oddworld offers the most fun I've had on the XBox with a third/first person shooter. At first the game fools you - The live ammo seems a little gimmicky and trudging from one bounty boss to another seems initially tiring. But this game has a storyline like no other. Just when you think you've completed the game EVERYTHING changes - in a good way. It's like two games in one and both parts are incredible. If you don't want to know anymore then stop reading now and go play the game! I didn't know about the 'surprise' path the game takes and was blown away. One minute you're in the Wild West, the next you're in a Halo-esque futuristic world full of cranes, spaceships, cannons, rockets and all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures. Gone are the linear quests to rope in badguys - replaced by a fairly free roaming world of adventure. Truly huge effort has been placed into both elements of gameplay and the graphics, sound, dialogue and even the strange ammo system is perfect. I simply loved this game - a jewel in the XBox crown.
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