‘The best order to play Oddworld games is: Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee, followed by Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus, then Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee, and finally Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath.’
So, you’re drawn to the quirky, challenging world of Oddworld and wondering what order to play Oddworld games? It’s a fair question, as the series has a few entries, some more connected than others. It’s best to begin with Abe’s adventures to fully appreciate the story’s progression.
Following Abe’s journey allows you to understand the world’s lore first before jumping into the other characters’ stories. This approach keeps the narrative consistent and makes the gameplay more engaging.
What Order to Play Oddworld Games
So, you’re ready to dive into the wacky, wonderful, and sometimes wonderfully weird world of Oddworld? Fantastic! But with a bunch of games spanning different genres and stories, it can feel a little confusing knowing where to start. Don’t worry, I’m here to guide you through the best way to experience the Oddworld saga. We’ll figure out the order to play the games so you get the most out of this amazing universe.
The Chronological Path: Following the Oddworld Story
For folks who want to experience the story in the order it happens in the Oddworld universe, this is the path for you. It lets you follow the characters and understand how the world has evolved over time. This means starting at the very beginning, with Abe’s first big adventure.
Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee
This is where it all begins! Abe, a humble floor waxer at RuptureFarms, a giant meat-processing plant, accidentally learns some very unpleasant secrets about his employers. He finds out that they are going to turn his fellow Mudokons into delicious treats. You play as Abe, trying to save his friends from a grisly fate. This is a puzzle platformer with lots of sneaky bits and challenging escapes. It’s important to know that this is the first chapter in the Oddworld story, so playing this will make the rest of the series more enjoyable.
Think of it like reading the first book in a series – it gives you important background and introduces you to many of the important things, places, and characters you will see again and again. This is the game where we first meet Abe, learn about the Mudokons, and the dangers they face. If you want to really understand the core story of Oddworld, this is the place to begin.
Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus
Directly after the events of Abe’s Oddysee, comes Abe’s Exoddus. Abe’s adventures continue as he hears the stories about the soul-sucking brewery, “SoulStorm”. Abe decides he must go on a journey to free all the Mudokons who are enslaved and brewing the stuff, just like the meat processing plant he escaped. Abe has new powers and new obstacles to overcome. You will see more of the Oddworld lore in this game, and also a few very difficult places to get through. This game is a direct sequel, and it would make no sense to skip it, if you have started with Abe’s Oddysee.
Playing this right after Abe’s Oddysee is like reading the second book – it continues the main story without delay. We explore even more of the world, and meet new characters. It expands on the themes and ideas introduced in the first game. It’s good to play this right after finishing the first game because you will remember everything clearly.
Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee
Here, the story expands to include another playable character: Munch, the last of his kind, a Gabbit. Munch must team up with Abe to save their species from the Glukkons, who want to capture them. This game moves to a 3D style, with a lot more wide-open areas to explore. Munch can also do some interesting things, like swim and use his sonar. We also see more about the world, and its many varied inhabitants. The story still revolves around the same core themes, though, and this allows you to look at these themes from a different perspective.
This game shows you a different part of Oddworld, and also expands the story in a new way. It’s important because it shows how other species suffer under the rule of the Glukkons, not just Mudokons. The team up of Abe and Munch, two very different characters, shows how even the most unique characters can work together.
Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath
Now for a big change! You will play as Stranger, a bounty hunter in this game. Stranger captures outlaws to pay for a life saving operation he needs. This game is a mix of first-person shooting and third-person platforming, a major shift from the earlier games. While it’s set in the same universe, the focus is more on exploring a different region of Oddworld and also meeting different characters. Stranger’s motives, and the way he solves the problems, is also quite different from the earlier games, which shows the diversity of the stories that can be told in the Oddworld setting.
This is a significant change in both gameplay and tone. It’s not directly connected to the stories of Abe and Munch, but it gives you a fresh perspective on the world and the different types of characters that inhabit it. While it’s set in the same universe, this can be enjoyed anytime, without impacting your understanding of Abe’s storyline.
Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty! & Oddworld: Soulstorm
These two games are remakes of Abe’s Oddysee and Abe’s Exoddus, respectively. New ‘n’ Tasty! is a completely redone version of Abe’s Oddysee, with updated graphics, gameplay, and some small changes to the story and levels. Soulstorm is a complete re-imagining of Abe’s Exoddus, giving the game new life with modern technology. It’s up to you when to play these! If you played the originals before, playing these could be a great way to see how far the game has come. If you didn’t play them, they are very polished and fun versions, a great way to be introduced to these stories. However, it is crucial that you play these two, if you want to know the complete story.
These remakes allow you to enjoy the classic stories with a fresh coat of paint. They are great for both old fans looking to relive the experience, and new players who want the best way to see the classic games. New ‘n’ Tasty! and Soulstorm offer a more approachable entry point to the series with smoother controls and more visually impressive world building. If you are new to Oddworld, these two are the best way to enjoy these old classics.
Playing by Release Date: How Fans Experienced It
Another way to experience Oddworld is to play the games in the order they came out. This shows you how the games evolved, and how the developers experimented with different genres and gameplay styles. This is how people originally experienced the games, so it’s a good way to get a feel for the series as a whole. You’ll see the shifts in gameplay and graphics as the developers went on.
- Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee (1997) – The first game.
- Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus (1998) – Abe’s direct sequel adventure.
- Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee (2001) – The introduction of Munch and the first in 3D.
- Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath (2005) – A new character and a new gameplay experience.
- Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty! (2014) – The remake of Abe’s Oddysee.
- Oddworld: Soulstorm (2021) – The reimagining of Abe’s Exoddus.
Playing by release date allows you to appreciate the technological advancements of the time as you experience the games. It is also a great way to understand the thought process of the creators. If you have never played an Oddworld game before, starting with Abe’s Oddysee is the best place to start.
A Suggested Playing Order: For the Best Experience
So, after going through the chronological and release date options, here’s what I recommend for the best overall experience. It blends the story with a smooth, playable experience. This is the order I would advise for those new to Oddworld and also for returning fans who want the best possible experience.
- Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty! – Start with the well-made remake for the best way to experience the first part of Abe’s adventure.
- Oddworld: Soulstorm – Continue directly into Abe’s second adventure with this beautiful reimagining.
- Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee – Next, experience the Oddworld story from another point of view.
- Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath – Then, enjoy the totally different gameplay with this awesome bounty hunting adventure.
This order puts you through the core Mudokon story with the best modern presentation. Then, it expands the world and shows different stories and gameplay styles. This is great, whether it’s your first time visiting Oddworld, or you are coming back for a fresh experience.
Why Does Order Matter?
It might seem like just playing the games in any old order is no big deal. But it really can make a difference to your overall enjoyment. Starting with New ‘n’ Tasty! and Soulstorm allows you to engage with the first stories in the most user-friendly way, due to better and more intuitive controls and smoother graphics. Then, playing Munch’s Oddysee is a smooth transition that continues the main story, introducing a new character in the mix. Finally, playing Stranger’s Wrath changes it up, letting you enjoy a different style of gameplay in the same world. This order maximizes your enjoyment of the series and the overall world of Oddworld.
Playing in a random order can mess with your understanding of the lore and the characters, as each game adds layers to the overall story and introduces new elements. Starting with the remakes ensures that your first experience with Abe is the best it can be. Following that with Munch’s and then Stranger’s, allows you to appreciate the story, world, and the different kinds of gameplay that Oddworld has to offer. This allows you to experience the depth of the universe in the way it was intended, and helps you build a better understanding of the overall narrative.
What About Other Oddworld Games?
There are a few other Oddworld games that are less common. These include games like “Oddworld Adventures” and “Oddworld Adventures 2”, which are handheld games. These are usually not included in the common recommendation because they are not part of the core narrative and do not have the same production value as the main games. While they can be fun for collectors and die-hard fans, they are not essential to understanding the overall Oddworld story. If you want the full picture, focus on the main games first.
There are also some spin-off concepts that did not make it to a full game, and some games which are cancelled. These aren’t really a factor when talking about the best playing order as they are not a part of the playable series. So it’s best to stick with the main titles I discussed for a complete Oddworld experience. Focus on the mainline games to get the core narrative and the true essence of Oddworld.
Choosing the right way to play Oddworld games will enhance your journey. While there are multiple ways to go about it, starting with the remakes will make the experience of these classic games better. If you’re new to Oddworld, this is a fantastic series with unique characters and engaging stories. By following the suggested order, you can enjoy the complete saga in the best possible way.
Oddworld – The COMPLETE History (1997-2021)
Final Thoughts
To experience Oddworld’s narrative best, play chronologically by release date: Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee, then Abe’s Exoddus, followed by Munch’s Oddysee. Afterward, continue with Stranger’s Wrath and finally New ‘n’ Tasty!. This order provides the intended story progression.
Following the release timeline ensures you witness the evolution of gameplay and graphics. Soulstorm is a remake of Exoddus, which may be played afterward. Therefore, what order to play oddworld games depends on preferred experience, but release order is must for story.
