A Gritty Classic That Earns Its Quirks

Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee is one of those rare titles that, despite the march of time and tectonic shifts in game design philosophies, manages to hold onto its charm like a scrappy underdog clinging to a cause. First released in 1997 and now available on Steam, this cinematic platformer continues to earn praise from long-time fans and nostalgic newcomers alike — though not without some caveats.

A Story That Sticks With You
The game drops you into the worn sandals of Abe, a floor-waxer-turned-revolutionary in the oppressive meat-processing plant of RuptureFarms. His journey, both humorous and harrowing, is driven by an urgent need to save his fellow Mudokons from being turned into lunch. What sets the narrative apart, and what Steam reviewers consistently applaud, is how it weaves humor, horror, and social commentary into an engaging and emotional ride. Despite limited dialogue, the world-building is rich and resonant, full of haunting industrial landscapes and quirky, sentient oddities.

Gameplay That Rewards Patience and Precision
The platforming mechanics are deliberate, bordering on punishing. Unlike the fluidity of modern action-platformers, Abe’s Oddysee employs a “screen-by-screen” design with carefully choreographed movement sequences. Success hinges on timing, experimentation, and learning from your mistakes. Many top-rated Steam reviews appreciate this old-school challenge — likening it to a cerebral puzzle where death is just part of the process. Players who embrace trial-and-error gameplay will find immense satisfaction in mastering its rhythm.

The possession mechanic, where Abe chants to control enemies, remains a highlight — both clever and fun, giving players agency in hostile territory. It adds a layer of strategy and dark humor, creating moments of brilliant tension.

Aged Mechanics and Outdated Grievances
While the game's soul is undeniable, its age shows. Common criticisms among even the most glowing reviews include the absence of a manual save system, which forces players to restart long segments after a single misstep. This can be especially frustrating given the high frequency of insta-deaths. There’s also noticeable input delay and awkward movement transitions, especially for players accustomed to snappier controls.

From a technical standpoint, the Steam version does little to modernize the experience. Resolution scaling is limited, controller support is hit-or-miss, and navigating the game on newer systems might require tinkering. Some players feel the lack of a remaster’s polish holds it back from greatness today, especially when newer entries in the Oddworld franchise have addressed many of these issues.

Atmosphere: A Glorious Dystopia
Visually, Abe’s Oddysee remains striking. Its pre-rendered backdrops and grotesque industrial design evoke a sense of grim wonder, even decades later. The sound design — from the squelch of meat grinders to Abe’s nervous quips — enhances immersion and underscores the game’s bleak humor. It's no surprise that the art and mood continue to receive admiration in high-ranking reviews on Steam and professional gaming outlets alike.

Verdict: A Diamond in Rougher Edges
Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee is both a relic and a revelation — a game that dares to be weird, dark, and thoughtful. It’s not for everyone, especially those craving instant gratification or modern polish. But for those willing to forgive its rigid controls and archaic design, the rewards are many: clever puzzles, memorable characters, and an atmosphere that stays with you long after Abe’s final chant.

Final Rating: 8/10
Despite some frustrating mechanics and dated features, its inventive spirit and narrative depth secure its place as a cult classic worth exploring — or re-exploring.

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(1) incredibly difficult but it doesnt feel difficult on purpose like some modern games, thats just what it was back in the day. the game does make you die without technically anything you can do about it sometimes but f it (5) it does have some savestate bugs here and there but nothing too bad. controls are weird to figure out, some like running roll x, holding space, run jumping, run jumping on ledges ect are needed to solve some things and for whatever reason the use button gets unbound everytime i boot the game so i had to set it everytime before playing. the start feels way too hard and unfair but you get the hang eventually and it becomes very very fun to figure out the stages. dont give up!! (0) music and visuals are beautiful and abe is charming, i love the menu in this game lol OK. i think this is one of those games that you want to complete twice and thats what im gonna go and do now, a second run and this time ill try to save all of them. goodbye (77777777777)

It's just as fun as I remember when it first came out