It’s easier to kill an enemy, but you'll be awarded less cash. There are lethal and non-lethal ammo types, playing into the game's bounty system. Using these controls turns Stranger into a vehicle players steer away from obstacles in third-person – platforming sections become somewhat of a nightmare with gyroscopic controls enabled (it isn’t easy to turn 360 degrees when playing in handheld mode on your couch) – while in first-person, they add a whole new dynamic to aiming, though the D-pad is still required for switching up ammo types. Gyroscopic controls aren’t forced on the player, and can be easily turned on or off in the controls menu depending on personal preference. This is a brand new feature for the Nintendo Switch port, and has been implemented as seamlessly as if it was always there. The game also brings gyroscopic controls to both first and third person. The trouble is that this process feels clunky, and when you consider that Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath can be played as a stealth game, it's not as smooth as we'd like. The default perspective is third-person, but when enemies are nearby it’s far better to click the left joystick and aim through the Stranger's eyes. It’s impossible to fight effectively in the game without going into first-person, but switching between the first and third-person views can be a nuisance. There are moments in the game where the developers have added deliberately high drops as part of the story, but any tension is quickly lost when the Stranger falls flat (like a pancake) with an accompanying splat noise. The only criticism we have is for landing from heights there's no fall damage in Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath, but when the Stranger drops too far, he will fall flat on his face. The Stranger can run quickly between areas – essential given how surprisingly large the game’s world is – and slick melee attacks mean that moment-to-moment gameplay is quick and simple. Still, moving about the world in third-person feels natural. Most of the boss fights start with the Stranger revealing himself with a somewhat dramatic flair anyway, which sort of spoils the hard work you can put into sneaking up on enemies all the way there. We had more success charging into battle when outlaws weren't paying attention, pinning a few of them while we worked on stunning the rest, making them ready for capture. It almost feels as if the game would play better if the stealth elements were completely removed, making it far more action-oriented. More often than not, enemies easily spot you lurking in the grass and, once your cover is blown, every outlaw in the region seems to suddenly become aware of your present location and proceeds to run there and fill you with bullet holes. It’s possible to sneak up on enemies by hiding in long grass or on rocky outcrops, using the different ammo types to lure them closer and take them down silently, but it almost never works as well as it should. It's possible to play through most of Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath as a stealth game, but ironically, this proves to be something of a hindrance in the long run. Once again, this definitely doesn't sound like an Oddworld game on paper, but it’s the 'Oddworld' take on these elements that make it part of the universe. Players can choose between the third-person camera, best for exploring the environment and getting between key areas, and first-person, which is ideal for shooting outlaws with the crossbow. This isn’t a platformer it’s a first-person shooter with third-person action.
Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath subverts expectations once again with its gameplay. The story takes a little while to get going – and it doesn't immediately feel like it fits within the Oddworld franchise – but once it does take flight, it’s easy to see that this is definitely an Oddworld game. In Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath, players take on the role of the Stranger, a scary bounty hunter-type looking to make enough cash to pay for a mysterious surgery that he desperately needs. Not only has the game ported nicely to the console, the story and gameplay feel like they could have been ripped out of a game released for the first time in 2020. Fifteen years on, we now have a Nintendo Switch version that feels like a fresh and interesting look at the Oddworld franchise, and one that’s aged extremely well. Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath originally released for the Xbox in January 2005.
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