Oddworld: Soulstorm

Similar to its predecessor, the game is a 2.5D side-scrolling platform game. Protagonist Abe returns in the game and his goal is to save his fellow mudokons from slave labor. The game features a new crafting system in which Abe can craft and customise different weapons. While the game is mostly linear, it features a massive train hub area where players can access new levels and areas.[3]

On March 14, 2016 it was announced via a press-release that a new game titled Oddworld: Soulstorm is in development and is slated to be released later in 2017,[4] later delayed to 2019. Then again delayed to 2020. The game has been described by Oddworld Inhabitants as "a complete story retake [of Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus] inspired by our original tale."[5] A team of 30 people was working on the game.[3] Due to the commercial success of New 'n' Tasty!, the game had a larger budget, and the developer collaborated with Frima Studio in Canada, and Fat Kraken Studios in England.[6]

Before the announcement, it was announced in April 2015 that a remake of Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus was in the planning stages. Lorne Lanning, the director of Abe's Exoddus, said that Exoddus's success would contribute significantly to future Oddworld titles, and would be marketed more broadly than New 'n' Tasty!.[7] During the development of Oddworld: Soulstorm, Oddworld Inhabitants have started an alternate reality game in which they encourage fans to look for clues within files and websites they upload.[5]

In September 2016 at the EGX Expo, Oddworld Inhabitants game designer Matt Glanville said that Oddworld: Soulstorm would be a bigger version of Abe's Exoddus, featuring some areas and game mechanics from Exoddus as well as entirely new areas. He said that some parts from Abe's Exoddus will look 'completely different to the original'. The Quarma system from Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee would return and the path that the player takes would depend on the storyline. He also stated that Oddworld: Soulstorm would be a sequel to Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty and will be what Abe's Exoddus should have been.[8]

In February 2019, there was a Q and A session on Discord with Lanning on the Oddworld Official Discord server. He said that if Soulstorm sells well, then he will be able to work on the third game of the Oddworld series.[9] On 13 May 2019, Oddworld Inhabitants launched a gameplay teaser trailer for Soulstorm, revealing it as the true second part of the planned 5-game series. The game is now expected to be released in early 2020.[10]

The game made an appearance before E3 2019 during E3 Judges Week where gaming judges were able to play a short demo of the game and interview Lorne Lanning. The demo showcased a small section of the game which was about 60% of the way through the game. The demo showed off several of Soulstorm's new gameplay mechanics. In the screen that was showcased, there is a train that moves across the screen regularly that can kill Mudokons.[11]

At Gamescom 2019, Lanning announced that the game will be coming to consoles and PC in 2020 or 2021 with the PC version being an Epic Games Store exclusive release. He stated on Twitter that the reason behind this is that as indie developers they had self-financed the game and required additional financial resources in order to deliver the high quality AAA game they set out to create.[12] It was further showcased during Sony's PlayStation 5 event in June 2020, confirming that the game will be a console exclusive for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.[13] At The Game Awards 2020, a new trailer revealed the release date was postponed for Spring 2021 and pre-purchase for the PC version became available.[14]

• Official website