Proudly Nostalgic
With gaming pushing ever forward and technology moving at such a rapid pace, it’s no surprise we’ve seen so many remasters and ports of classic games. Games such as Crash Bandicoot: The N. Sane Trilogy, Panzer Dragoon: Remake and the highly anticipated Super Mario 3D All-Stars are all clear examples of this trend. While not the latest entry in this era, Oddworld: New ‘N Tasty has finally hit the Nintendo Switch and it doesn’t fail to make an impression. Packed with retro puzzle-platforming action, this port proves to be a rock-solid one that runs well on Nintendo’s handheld.
Oddly Beautiful
From the moment you see the menu, you know this is a different kind of game. The visuals are breathtaking on the Switch and never drops frames or audio. It runs buttery smooth with some meaty sound effects to back it all up, making the presentation of this game up there with most triple-A efforts on the Switch. This makes the grim narrative of Oddworld feel more impactful than ever before with a renewed luster that will captivate you. Combined with the cinematic nature of the fixed camera angles and ambient soundtrack, Oddworld: New ‘N Tasty proves to be an immersive title that draws you in and never lets go.
Each environment and character is beautifully animated and feels alive as you play. Machine-gun toting Sligs sound mechanical and menacing as they march about, while the various alien creatures such as the Paramites are unnerving and freakish to behold. The way the world around you affects how you see the game is visually striking and makes familiar scenarios seem fresh. All of this combines to make this a title whose presentation leaves a lasting impression on those who doubt the graphical power of the Switch. Add plenty of secrets and hidden paths and you’ll be hard-pressed to not scour every beautiful region you find yourself in.
An Old-School Feel
Being a narrative-based puzzle-platformer, the controls for the game are robust and at times a bit messy. Using the control stick is a sensitive option considering the crouch state puts Abe, the leading man, into a different type of movement altogether. This makes the ideal form of play the D-pad. While the platforming and puzzles are fun and hold up to the test of time, using items and the communication controls can at times become confusing.
There is no inventory or menu, making the item management feel a bit strange if you don’t catch on to its disposable nature. Throwing an item can take some getting used to if you don’t know to use the right stick to aim your throwable weapons and only a small white number signals how much of an item you have left, which is only shown briefly on-screen. The communication mechanic is a bit dodgy as well. While you don’t go long stretches constantly switching between dialects, there are two of them that you need to master and switch between using ZR. These control issues aren’t incredibly hampering but do cause nagging issues that can get you killed.
Strangely Satisfying
Even after all these years, the charm of Oddworld is still second-to-none. The cinematic nature of the original is perfectly preserved in this beautiful remake, bringing Oddworld to life in the modern age. While the gameplay can be a bit loose the storytelling and atmosphere remain intact, as do the unique environmental puzzle-solving elements. The striking graphics are mind-blowing, especially on the Switch and only serve to pull you in and never let you go. Packed with old-school platforming charm, tons of secrets and multiple endings, Oddworld: New ‘N Tasty makes a splash on the Switch worth everybody’s time.
