Oddworld: Soulstorm is not a remake in the traditional sense. Remakes are very popular right now and we have recently seen several wonderful games in this sense. Soulstorm differs in that it builds on what we originally wanted to do 22 years ago.
At the time, we didn’t have time to execute our vision for Abe’s five-part Quintology Game 2. We had just successfully released Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee (aka Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty), the first game in Abe’s Quintology, and we were asked to deliver a sequel within nine months.
We had to cut and reduce what we wanted to do to do it. This meant that Abe’s Exoddus was a very different story and experience than what we initially anticipated in the Big Five-Game Global Quintology Dream.
Soulstorm is our big dream come true. It’s a new game. It’s our attempt to make the second episode deeper and more conceptually disturbing of Abe’s story than we originally wanted all those years ago. The story takes place after the events of Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty, when Abe follows his destiny to save his fellow Mudokons from corporate oppression. Soulstorm also features new game mechanics, including a scavenge and crafting system, in which Abe can craft versatile items like mines that knock out enemy guards.
Our partners at Sony, Microids and Unity have helped us tremendously throughout the process and we wouldn’t be here without them. More importantly, without the fans of our games, Soulstorm would never have happened. Thank you for your continued support over the years.
Tomorrow is our original take on the second game in Abe’s five-part quintology, when Oddworld: Soulstorm launches. Let’s dive into the things you need to know before embarking on Abe’s next adventure.
Playstation plus
The digital version of the game releases April 6 for PS5 and PS4. The PS5 version will be free for PlayStation Plus members in April. Additionally, if you purchase the digital PS4 version, you can upgrade to the digital PS5 version at no additional cost. *
The physical retail versions of the game will be available in stores on July 6. If you buy the physical retail PS4 version, you will get the digital PS5 version for free.
Save your subscribers, they are important
There are almost 1,400 Mudokons that you can save in Oddworld: Soulstorm. How you decide to play is up to you, but keep in mind that there are multiple endings in the game, and we recommend that you try to save at least 80% of the Mudokons in each level (over information below).
There is strength in numbers, with Followers being a positive multiplier for Abe. In New ‘n’ Tasty, the Mudokons either followed you or stayed put. They were beasts of burden that you led through deadly obstacle courses in the hope that they would be saved. Your subscribers have not given you any real support or power to scale; they just made your job more difficult.
In Soulstorm, it’s not enough to save all those Mudokons for a better Quarmic score and a better narrative result. Players will be able to harness the power of numbers to get out of more difficult situations that might be impossible for Abe to face on his own. It also gives the player the opportunity to place those more capable (and potentially deadly) Adepts around a level to expect as active agents who can offer protection. We wanted the player to be able to position their followers as guards and have both defensive and offensive skills.
Multiple terminations
End! Soulstorm has 15 base levels, with two more levels at the end of the game if you’re good at saving the Mudokons (that’s 17 levels in total). There are four types of endings in the game. At the end of each individual level, you are awarded a Quarma score based on the number of Mudokons you save. You need to save at least 80% of the Mudokons in a level to get a good score, but technically you don’t need to save any to progress through the 15 base levels of the game. But that 80% score is vital if you want to unlock levels 16 and 17.
Here is the breakdown:
- Worst end – Save 80% Mudokons in 6 levels or less.
- Bad ending – Save 80% Mudokons in 7-11 levels. Prepare for an explosive cutscene.
- Good end – Save 80% Mudokons in 12 or more levels. This unlocks additional cutscene and access to levels 16 and 17.
- Final end – Save 80% of Mudokons in all 17 levels. Sit back and enjoy the ‘newspaper cutscene’.
Level selection and Quarma score
Once you complete the game, you unlock the level selection. This mode allows you to replay any level you want, as much as you want. It allows you to replay levels to improve your Quarma score and earn more badges. More importantly, if you haven’t unlocked the ending you wanted, you can replay the levels to try and save more Mudokons.
But like all Oddworld games, you must expect a challenge. In the level selection if you die don’t worry, you will respawn at the nearest checkpoint. But there is no save points. You have to play the whole level to earn your new score and your new Quarma badges.
At the end of each level, you receive a Quarma score. This score is based on the number of Mudokons you save versus those that are dead or missed, as well as badges earned. The more Mudokons you save, the higher your Quarma score. You can upload your scores to the leaderboards to see how you stack up against other Soulstorm players.
PS5 and PS4 experience
We’ve made every effort to ensure that both PS5 and PS4 gamers have a nearly identical base gaming experience. You will see the same number of NPCs on screen (sometimes hundreds) with explosions and high octane action. To achieve this, the PS4 runs at 30 frames per second while the PS5 runs at 60 frames per second.
Another unique aspect of the PS5 is the DualSense wireless controller, which brings new functions that we believe would further increase the player’s emotional connection with the characters. For example, in times of danger, you will feel Abe’s heart rate palpitations increase with haptics and feel resistance from adaptive triggers.
Oddworld: Soulstorm also leverages PS5 * Play Aid. Oddworld has a reputation for making challenging games, and Soulstorm is no different. Game Help is here to help you when you can’t figure it out and need a little help. Players can get tips, tricks and introductory videos without having to leave the game. These tips can be viewed for the specific area of the game they are playing (using the PS5 activity cards), so that ‘they don’t have to spend time searching the internet or risking spoilers.
We’re excited to finally bring Oddworld: Soulstorm to players on April 6. We hope you enjoy it. We wish you and your loved ones health, good fortune and happiness. Stay weird!
* Upgrade to the digital PS5 ™ version of the game at no additional cost. To upgrade eligible PS4 ™ disc copies, gamers need a PS5 console with a disc drive. PlayStation.com/help
** Active PS Plus subscription required.
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