Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee was the lone platform game in the Xbox's first wave of titles. Initially lauded for its quirky, gritty art design, the gameplay was widely regarded as a gimmick-based mess. Stranger's Wrath represents a clear break from the puzzle-based gameplay of previous Oddworld games, and as a result, comes out ahead as a much more enjoyable title.
While previous Oddworld titles focused exclusively on stretching the brain, Stranger's Wrath challenges your trigger finger as well. The main character, Stranger, looks and speaks like an alien version of Clint Eastwood in "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly."
In fact, the entire game has the feel of a western set on an alien planet. It's a bold art direction that pays off quite well due to the skill shown by the developers with the Xbox hardware: Stranger's Wrath looks every bit as good as – if not better than – Halo 2.
Stranger's Wrath combines two different modes of play with –mostly- positive results. Objectives revolve around hunting various bounties for cash, which can be used to upgrade Stranger's abilities.
In first-person mode, Stranger wields a crossbow that can be loaded with different rabid creatures found in the wild. It's a unique alternative to the array of weapons found in most shooters, allowing players the chance to set and lure enemies into traps instead of taking them head on.
When platform challenges come around, it's time to switch to third-person mode. These portions are well-designed, though it's a pain to toggle between two modes in the heat of a firefight, since Stranger can't use any weapons while in third-person perspective.
Despite the troubles caused by having to constantly switch perspectives, Stranger's Wrath is a fresh take on the Oddworld series that gamers looking for a thinking man's alternative to Halo 2 would do well to pick up.
-George
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