Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee
Sony PlayStation £44.99
Abe the Mudokon works in the slaughterhouse: and Abe's bosses at Rupturefarms have decided Abe and his tribe will be the main ingredient in their new line of pies. It's up to you to help Abe escape his fate . . .
Although strictly speaking a platformer, Abe's Oddysee blends several different gaming styles into one . . . and quite successfully too.
Initially the most noticeable thing about the game is that you have an infinite number of lives - but don't be fooled by this: you'll need every one of them by the time you complete this adventure, even in two-player mode. The game is absolutely bursting at the seams with gameplay. Not only does Abe jump, flip and roll, he also communicates in various different ways with the other characters within the game. In fact, learning what to say and who to say it to is part of the game's challenge. For a platformer, this is almost unique - sleight of hand with the gamepad won't alone save you. After escaping from Rupturefarms, Abe's quest takes him through various locations. And not only must Abe survive, he must rescue his fellow Mudokons too.
Apparently Abe's Oddysee is the first in a five-part game series and if the next four prove as good and original, then we are in for a feast. Rarely has a game combined such inventiveness with good solid gameplay and down to earth fun.
Graphics: 91% Sound: 82% Gameplay: 92%
Address any correspondence to Game Zone, The Irish Times, 13-15 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 or alternatively by e-mail to games@irish- times.ie
Virgin top 10 games
This week's 10 top-selling PC CD- ROM games at Virgin Megastore are:
1 Dungeon Keeper - > £29.99 2 Forgotten Realms - > £24.99 3 Little Big Adventure 2 - > £29.99 4 Constructor - > £29.99 5 Command and Conquer Red Alert: Counterstrike - > £14.99 6 Duke Nukem - > £9.99 7 Rebel Assault 2 - > £11.99 8 Civilisation 2: Scenarios - > £29.99 9 Carmageddon - > £29.99 10 Dark Colony - > £29.99