Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition

game's puzzles are quite often based on luck and reaction speeds

With a heavy heart I have to NOT recommend this game. I've been a fan of Oddworld since the very first game, and was hugely excited for this one when it was announced. Sadly, it never lived up to expectations, and on top of that fails on a very basic level. The game initially disappointed after the fantastic new n tasty, which was a faithful recreation of the first game. Everyone expected this game to follow suit, however it was initially disappointing when we learned this was essentially a complete reimagining. Now, that's not to say the game that released is entirely bad. Once you look at it as its own game it's actually pretty great! The fleshed out story, cameraderie between escapees, and new 'guerilla' style escaping is really great, and a lot of the more traditional Abe levels are pretty fun. I'm not sure what was 'enhanced' however. Sadly seems like a marketing thing, as the game is plagued by bugs and Oddworld Inhabitants seem to have shrunk back into the shadows with radio silence. Bugs like Sligs in the background shooting through walls, Muds throwing empty hands instead of the items you equipped them with. Couple this with the requirement to try keep as many alive as possible to be able to play the last levels... its a frustrating experience. If Oddworld Inhabitants do release anything in the future, sadly I'll be holding off and waiting as they've lost my faith in how they've handled (or rather not handled) this game. It could have been great, but I don't think we'll ever know. This game sadly has to go in my 'bad games' category on steam and be treated like it doesn't exist.

This game was garbage. Good they mentioned who gave them the awards. Now we know that: Destructoid WCCFTech God is geek Xbox tavern Shack news TheXboxHub Hobby consalos Noisy pixel NYX Game Awards ...are full of sh*t. No way they rated it this high unless Oddworld paid them money to say that. I will never trust their rating again. Oddworld used to make great games like Abe's Oddyssee and Exodus. But after that, the quality went trash.

Oddysee was one of the first games I played when I was a child (I was 4 years old), so Oddworld is actually one of the most important games to me When Soulstorm was released, I was really amazed that I would finally be able to relive the good old times from Oddysee and Exoddus. When I played the demo, I was really sad because I had the impression that it was just a game that prioritizes crafting. Now, years later and after a lot of Oddysee and Exoddus runs, I finally gave Soulstorm a chance, but I regret it I'm extremely heartbroken to refund and not recommend this game, but crafting and slow puzzles as the "new" Oddworld are not even close to being fun I asked a friend who played the whole game about classic elements, and to my surprise: No Scrabs, Paramites, Fleeches, or any possibility to chant whenever you want to (or even control your own fart). Just some Sligs, different Sligs, and Slogs There's no adrenaline when running from monsters in Soulstorm The only thing I really loved is the environment, which keeps the Oddworld identity I can't tell if I'm just being nostalgic, but I really hope that if there is going to be another Oddworld game, they keep what worked, and remove slow puzzles and crafting. Throwing is fun, but only when you get the stuff just like in Oddysee and Exoddus

Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition is an ambitious cinematic platformer that attempts to transform a beloved cult franchise into a larger and more modern experience without abandoning the strange identity that made the series memorable in the first place. Instead of delivering a straightforward remake of Abe’s Exoddus, the game expands the narrative into a darker and more dramatic journey focused on revolution, survival, and freedom. The result is a title filled with impressive atmosphere, emotional storytelling, and creative mechanics, even if the experience occasionally struggles under the weight of its own ambition. The story places Abe in the center of a growing uprising after escaping the horrors of industrial slavery. No longer just a frightened worker trying to survive, Abe becomes a reluctant symbol of hope for the Mudokons who remain trapped under the control of massive corporations. Soulstorm explores themes of greed, addiction, manipulation, and exploitation through the bizarre world Oddworld has always been known for. The corporations continue to function as grotesque representations of unchecked capitalism, while the Mudokons represent an oppressed workforce struggling to reclaim its freedom. The narrative becomes surprisingly emotional at times, especially as Abe begins to realize that rescuing individuals is no longer enough. Entire populations now depend on him, and the game constantly reinforces the pressure and responsibility tied to that role. Visually, Soulstorm is one of the most cinematic entries in the series. The environments are massive compared to earlier Oddworld games, featuring enormous industrial complexes, dangerous wastelands, moving trains, underground facilities, and heavily polluted landscapes that feel both horrifying and strangely beautiful. Lighting effects and camera angles create a dramatic presentation that often resembles an animated dystopian film more than a traditional side-scrolling adventure. Every location feels intentionally designed to emphasize the cruelty of the world, with giant machinery, toxic fumes, and decaying infrastructure constantly surrounding the player. The game’s art direction succeeds because it fully commits to its grim industrial atmosphere while preserving the dark humor and weirdness that define the franchise. Gameplay expands significantly beyond the mechanics of earlier Oddworld titles. Stealth remains one of the central pillars, but Soulstorm also incorporates crafting systems, scavenging, exploration, and larger-scale encounters involving groups of followers. Abe can collect resources from the environment and combine them into useful items such as smoke bombs, stun devices, explosives, and healing supplies. This crafting system adds flexibility to the gameplay and allows players to approach situations in multiple ways. Some players may choose careful stealth and avoidance, while others rely more heavily on traps and aggressive tactics. The ability to improvise solutions gives the game a stronger survival element than previous entries in the series. The level design also feels far more expansive than before. Many stages encourage exploration through hidden areas, collectibles, secret Mudokons, and optional objectives. The game rewards curiosity, and players willing to thoroughly search each environment often discover additional resources or alternate pathways. The inclusion of badge systems and progression goals gives every chapter extra replay value, pushing players to improve rescue counts, gather more items, and complete additional challenges. This modernized structure helps the game feel larger in scope while still preserving the classic side-scrolling formula at its core. One of the game’s strongest features is the expanded interaction between Abe and the Mudokons he rescues. Followers now move with greater intelligence and respond more naturally to commands, making rescue sequences feel more dynamic and engaging. Escorting large groups through dangerous environments adds tension because players must constantly think about protecting everyone rather than focusing only on themselves. Moments where entire groups narrowly escape disaster create some of the game’s most satisfying sequences. The Quarma system also returns, rewarding players for compassionate decisions and punishing excessive violence. These choices affect outcomes and reinforce the game’s recurring themes about morality, resistance, and responsibility. The Enhanced Edition improves the overall experience considerably compared to the original launch version. Controls feel smoother, technical stability has improved, and several frustrating gameplay issues have been adjusted or refined. Additional content and gameplay enhancements help the game feel more polished and complete. While some rough edges remain, the Enhanced Edition demonstrates a clear effort to improve the title and respond to criticism from earlier versions. Despite its many strengths, Soulstorm is not always easy to enjoy. Difficulty spikes can become overwhelming, particularly during sections built around strict timing or repeated trial-and-error problem solving. Some encounters feel intentionally punishing, forcing players to repeat sequences multiple times before discovering the correct solution. Checkpoint placement occasionally contributes to frustration, especially when lengthy sections must be replayed after small mistakes. The platforming can also feel slightly inconsistent at times, which becomes problematic in a game demanding precise movement during dangerous scenarios. Pacing is another area where the game can struggle. Certain chapters maintain incredible tension and cinematic momentum, while others slow down considerably with repetitive objectives or extended stealth sections. The game’s ambition occasionally works against it because it tries to balance cinematic storytelling, puzzle-solving, stealth gameplay, resource management, and large-scale rescues all at once. Not every mechanic feels equally refined, and some players may find the constant system juggling exhausting over longer sessions. However, what ultimately makes Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition memorable is its personality and commitment to artistic vision. Very few games are willing to embrace such strange world-building while simultaneously delivering social commentary, dark satire, and emotional storytelling. The game feels handcrafted rather than manufactured to fit modern trends. Even its flaws reflect how ambitious the project truly is. Soulstorm constantly takes risks with its mechanics, presentation, and narrative themes, and that willingness to experiment gives the game a unique identity that stands apart from safer modern platformers. For longtime fans of Oddworld, the game offers a dramatic reinterpretation of one of the franchise’s most beloved stories while greatly expanding the scale of Abe’s journey. For newcomers, it provides an unusual but fascinating introduction to a world unlike almost anything else in gaming. It may not achieve perfection in every area, but its atmosphere, creativity, emotional storytelling, and unforgettable setting make it a compelling experience from beginning to end. Soulstorm is chaotic, strange, difficult, and occasionally frustrating, yet those qualities also help make it one of the most distinctive cinematic platformers released in recent years. Rating: 7/10

The main game is great. I played with joy and I recommend to do the same to all. but there is additional scenario that called " Toby's escape"- it probably have a bug or something. my charecter (Toby) stops in the start level and flows in air until i quit the game.

[h2]Verdict[/h2] ✅ Recommended A cinematic and enjoyable Oddworld game, even if some design choices may not be for everyone. [h2]My history with the game[/h2] I finished Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition on Steam after 13.2 hours. I grew up with the original Oddworld games from 1997 and 1998, so this series has a special nostalgic value for me. After playing Abe's Oddysee, Abe's Exoddus, and New 'n' Tasty, I was curious to finally experience Soulstorm properly. Overall, I enjoyed it. [h2]Quick signals[/h2] 💸 Value: ✅ Worth it for Oddworld fans 🖥️ Requirements: ✅ Reasonable 🎨 Graphics: ✅ Very good ⏱️ Length: ✅ 13.2 hours for my playthrough 📖 Story: ✅ Good and more cinematic 🎮 Difficulty: ⚠️ Manageable, but demanding for the better ending 🐛 Bugs: ✅ No major issues for me [h2]What I liked[/h2] * The cinematic cutscenes are great and helped me get more invested in the story. * The game feels more modern and visually impressive than the older Oddworld titles. * Abe is still a memorable and likeable character. * Compared to New 'n' Tasty, the controls and punishment felt less brutal to me. * The atmosphere, world, and dark Oddworld identity are still here. * I liked seeing this series continue in a more cinematic direction. [h2]What didn’t work for me[/h2] * If you want the better ending, the game expects you to play really well. * You need good Quarma to unlock more levels and reach the better outcome. * Some players may not enjoy the crafting system. * The grind and resource management can feel unnecessary at times. * Even though I found it less frustrating than New 'n' Tasty, it can still test your patience. [h2]Is it an endless game? How long to beat?[/h2] No, this is not an endless game. I finished it in 13.2 hours. Your playtime can be longer if you replay levels, try to improve your Quarma, save more Mudokons, or go for the better ending. The game has two endings, but getting the better one requires strong performance across the game. [h2]Who will love it[/h2] You will probably enjoy Soulstorm if you like Oddworld, cinematic platformers, puzzle sections, dark humor, strange worlds, and games where saving characters actually matters. Fans of the older games should at least try it, but they should also know that Soulstorm has more modern systems like crafting and resource management. [h2]Replay value[/h2] Replay value is decent if you want to improve your Quarma, unlock more levels, save more Mudokons, and reach the better ending. For me, one full playthrough was satisfying, but I respect that the game gives dedicated players a reason to replay levels and do better. [h2]Future of Oddworld[/h2] Recently, in early June 2026, the developers teased another part of this story. I am curious to see what this series brings next, especially because I grew up with the original Oddworld games from the late 90s. I also heard that they want to move from Unity to Unreal Engine 5, so hopefully the next game will be received even better by fans. A lot of players had issues with the crafting system and grind in Soulstorm, so I hope the next entry keeps the cinematic quality while improving the gameplay flow. [h2]Final note[/h2] Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition is not a perfect game, but I enjoyed it. The cinematic cutscenes, stronger story presentation, improved visuals, and classic Oddworld atmosphere made it worth playing for me. If you want the better ending, prepare to play carefully and keep your Quarma high. Recommended, especially for Oddworld fans.

Just look at these dumb negative reviews, they could be the subject of a new study proving that user reviews score might be one of the worst metrics you could rely on to judge the quality of somethin. many time Ive try to be open-minded and listen to other people's opinions, but I fail cus i know there are ppl who simply don't understand how to think before they judge, why would you listen to someone telling you a beautiful house should be torn down just cus one room didnt match their taste? These tired reviews have nothin to do with how amazing this game really is! This game is the TRUE sequel to the two legendary PS1 titles. I mean, this is exactly how an Oddworld sequel should be, i literally cant imagine it being anything else, It just perfect! If you're obsessed with the first and second games, then this is the game you've been waiting for all these years. Soulstorm has the same DNA: the sound effects, puzzle design, Incredible unique level design, voice acting, characters, the vibe, etc, but in a modern way that naturally fits how games evolve from time to another. I'm also amazed they managed to make a side-scrolling game with a 3D feel, that's incredible to me but thats exactly what you'd expect from the Legendary Genius "Lorne Lanning" who still hasnt gotten the recognition he deserves. And the even better thing here is the focus on the story and its events which was something we missed in the earlier games. This game deserved to be a huge success, but being locked behind PS Plus and the technical issues at launch hurt it, and that's a sad thing.

I’ve always loved the Oddworld Series. I preordered this game on Epic originally because there wasn’t a Steam version at the time. Compared to then, the game is much more playable. Although the game didn’t turn out how I’m sure the Devs wanted it, it’s still fun for what it is. I’ll never stop supporting Oddworld Inhabitants

Unfortunately pretty boring, sloppy controls and a lot of trial and error instead of succeeding with caution and skill