Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Oddworld Pack brings together two of the most inventive platform-puzzle adventures ever created, delivering a gameplay experience that balances precise platforming, environmental puzzles, and stealth elements. In Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee, players guide Abe through hazardous factories and treacherous terrain, relying on limited resources and carefully timed movements to outwit guards and machinery. The “GameSpeak” mechanic for communicating with fellow Mudokons adds a layer of strategy, forcing you to decide when to lead, follow, or remain hidden—every choice can mean the difference between rescue and disaster.

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Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, offering more complex puzzles, expanded levels, and wider variety of enemies and traps. The introduction of Possession ability and the ability to rescue a larger number of Mudokons transforms the pacing into a more ambitious, risk-reward driven affair. Players must juggle freeing captives while avoiding relentless pursuers, making each section feel like a test of resourcefulness and patience.

This compilation also benefits from modern enhancements such as configurable controls, improved save systems, and optional accessibility features that help streamline the trial-and-error nature of Oddworld’s challenges. Checkpoints are more forgiving in areas that were once notorious for punishing difficulty spikes, yet the series’ signature tension remains intact. For both series veterans and newcomers, the Oddworld Pack offers layered gameplay that’s easy to pick up but hard to truly master.

Graphics

Graphically, the Oddworld Pack stays true to the original games’ hand-crafted aesthetic, featuring richly detailed pre-rendered backgrounds and fluid 2D character animations. The industrial decay of RuptureFarms in Abe’s Oddysee and the sprawling, grotesque subterranean networks in Abe’s Exoddus are brought to life with painstaking artistry. Each frame feels like a piece of interactive concept art, where lighting and perspective guide your eye and heighten the sense of depth in these side-scrolling worlds.

While the textures retain their classic low-resolution charm, the remastered ports take advantage of higher screen resolutions to sharpen details and reduce on-screen clutter. Character sprites appear crisper, and environmental effects—such as flickering lights, steam vents, and muddy water—benefit from subtle enhancements that preserve the games’ mood without sacrificing authenticity. The color palettes, from toxic greens in factories to dusky browns of the wastelands, remain evocative and haunting.

The UI and menus have been overhauled for modern displays, featuring clearer icons and streamlined inventory management. This facelift may seem minor, but it goes a long way toward maintaining immersion, allowing players to focus on solving puzzles rather than navigating clunky interfaces. Overall, the Oddworld Pack’s visuals strike a perfect balance between nostalgia and contemporary polish.

Story

At the heart of the Oddworld Pack lies the compelling tale of Abe, a humble Mudokon slave who discovers the dark secret behind his employer’s “green” hot dogs. Abe’s journey in Oddysee begins as a desperate escape, quickly evolving into a mission to liberate his people from corporate greed. The narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling, in-game text, and occasional narration, creating a cinematic feel that’s remarkable for its era.

Exoddus continues Abe’s odyssey, delving deeper into the lore of the Mudokon species and the parasitic gluttony of the Glukkons. This sequel introduces darker themes—such as the aftermath of mass exploitation and the moral conflicts of violence versus pacifism—while maintaining a satirical edge on industrial capitalism. New characters and factions add layers to the world, making every decision to save or sacrifice fellow Mudokons feel weighty.

Together, these two stories form an epic arc of resilience, hope, and reluctant heroism. Abe evolves from a meek factory worker into a symbol of resistance, and through both games, players experience a growth not only of character but of narrative complexity. The Oddworld Pack offers a complete saga that resonates with contemporary themes without feeling dated.

Overall Experience

The Oddworld Pack is a testament to creative game design, merging tight platforming, ingenious puzzles, and a rich narrative into two timeless classics. The compilation’s modern enhancements make it accessible to new audiences while preserving the challenging essence that long-time fans cherish. Whether you aim to rescue every last Mudokon or simply want to savor the quirky world of Oddworld, this pack delivers value and depth in equal measure.

Sound design and music further elevate the experience: tribal chants, industrial clanks, and atmospheric scores weave seamlessly into the gameplay, reinforcing the bleak yet oddly whimsical tone. Immersive audio cues signal hidden dangers or opportunities, encouraging players to listen as much as watch.

Priced as a two-game bundle, the Oddworld Pack offers dozens of hours of engaging content and a glimpse into one of gaming’s most imaginative universes. Its blend of challenging gameplay, distinctive art direction, and thought-provoking storytelling makes it a must-have for fans of platformers and adventure games alike. In an era of big-budget sequels and interchangeable visuals, the Oddworld Pack stands out as a bold reminder of the power of originality.

Retro Replay Score

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