<b><cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm</cite></b> is the latest videogame developed by [[Oddworld Inhabitants]], released on [[PlayStation]], [[Xbox]] and [[PC]] in <time>2021</time>. It is the sixth [[Oddworld videogames|videogame released by Oddworld Inhabitants]] and is primarily a retelling of events previously portrayed in <cite>[[Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus]]</cite>, although with hugely significant changes to the story, gameplay and levels. It is the second installment in the [[Oddworld 2.0]] [[Oddworld Quintology|Quintology]] and so can also be considered a replacement of <cite>[[Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee]]</cite>, although it contains only small references to the lore of that game and does not feature [[Munch]].
<b><cite><dfn>Oddworld: Soulstorm</dfn></cite></b> is the latest videogame developed by [[Oddworld Inhabitants]], released on [[PlayStation]], [[Xbox]] and [[PC]] in <time>2021</time>. It is the sixth [[Oddworld videogames|videogame released by Oddworld Inhabitants]] and is primarily a retelling of events previously portrayed in <cite>[[Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus]]</cite>, although with hugely significant changes to the story, gameplay and levels. It is the second installment in the [[Oddworld 2.0]] [[Oddworld Quintology|Quintology]] and so can also be considered a replacement of <cite>[[Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee]]</cite>, although it contains only small references to the lore of that game and does not feature [[Munch]].
== Story ==
== Story ==
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During the lawsuit of <cite>Epic Games, Inc. v. Apple Inc.</cite> held in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, one document submitted as evidence revealed that Epic Games Store had ‘lifetime exclusivity’ on <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm</cite>, at least on PC, at least in the words Epic Games used internally, and at least at the time the document was used internally (<time datetime="2019-10-25">25 October 2019</time>).<ref name="DX4361"/>
During the lawsuit of <cite>Epic Games, Inc. v. Apple Inc.</cite> held in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, one document submitted as evidence revealed that Epic Games Store had ‘lifetime exclusivity’ on <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm</cite>, at least on PC, at least in the words Epic Games used internally, and at least at the time the document was used internally (<time datetime="2019-10-25">25 October 2019</time>).<ref name="DX4361"/>
In <time datetime="2001-06">June 2021</time>, <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm</cite> received an ESRB rating for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S,<ref name="Gematsu ESRB Xbox"/> which was shortly thereafter removed from the ESRB website. On <time datetime="2021-08-11T21:56:35.000Z">11 August</time>,<ref name="Lorne photo Xbox blackboard"/> Oddworld Inhabitants tweeted a photo of Lorne Lanning that prominently showed a gantt chart on a blackboard labelled with ‘Xbox’, with the date of <time datetime="2021-08-23">23 August</time> circled for a Release Candidate. On <time datetime="2021-08-18T15:01:27.000Z">18 August</time>, Oddworld Inhabitants tweeted a video that many interpreted as a teaser for an Xbox release.<ref name="OWI Soulstorm Xbox teaser"/><ref name="NME interprets Xbox release"/> On <time datetime="2021-10-18">18 October</cite>, Oddworld Inhabitants announced that <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition</cite> would release on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on <time datetime="2021-11-30">30 November</time>.<ref name="Enhanced Edition announced by Microids"/>
==== Pre-orders ====
==== Pre-orders ====
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* 50-page digital artbook by Pix'n Love
* 50-page digital artbook by Pix'n Love
* digital game soundtrack
* digital game soundtrack
==== <cite>Enhanced Edition</cite> ====
On <time datetime="2021-10-18">18 October 2021</cite>, Oddworld Inhabitants announced that <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition</cite> would be released on <time datetime="2021-11-30">30 November 2021</time>. This version of <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm</cite> would feature ‘<q>improved gameplay mechanics and motion code, audio balance improvements, seven additional months of polish, improved Slig and follower <abbr title="artificial intelligence">AI</abbr> (more intelligent and responsive),</q>,’<ref name="Enhanced Edition announced on Gematsu"/> as well as including all previously released patches to the original game. The <cite>Enhanced Edition</cite> will be released on Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. The press release stated that the <cite>Enhanced Edition</cite> would also ‘<q>be available</q>’ on the platforms that <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm</cite> was originally released on: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Epic Games Store;<ref name="Enhanced Edition announced by Microids"/> Oddworld Inhabitants quickly confirmed that it would be a free update for anyone who already owned the game on these platforms.<ref name="OWI confirms Enhanced free update"/>
==== <cite>Vykkers Labs</cite> and <cite>Toby's Escape</cite> ====
As part of <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition</cite>, a new challenge game mode will be added to the game, accessible from the main menu. The levels added will vary by platform, with <cite>Vykkers Labs</cite> being available in Xbox versions of the game, and <cite>Toby's Escape</cite> being added to PlayStation and Epic Game Store versions. Both <cite>Vykkers Labs</cite> and <cite>Toby's Escape</cite> will comprise ‘<q>short puzzle-filled levels</q>’ that are ‘<q>a throwback to classic Oddworld 2.5D gameplay</q>’, with leaderboards for speedrunning times.<ref name="Microids announces Soulstorm challenges"/>
==== Xbox ====
In <time datetime="2001-06">June 2021</time>, <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm</cite> received an ESRB rating for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S,<ref name="Gematsu ESRB Xbox"/> which was shortly thereafter removed from the ESRB website. On <time datetime="2021-08-11T21:56:35.000Z">11 August</time>,<ref name="Lorne photo Xbox blackboard"/> Oddworld Inhabitants tweeted a photo of Lorne Lanning that prominently showed a gantt chart on a blackboard labelled with ‘Xbox’, with the date of <time datetime="2021-08-23">23 August</time> circled for a Release Candidate. On <time datetime="2021-08-18T15:01:27.000Z">18 August</time>, Oddworld Inhabitants tweeted a video that many interpreted as a teaser for an Xbox release.<ref name="OWI Soulstorm Xbox teaser"/><ref name="NME interprets Xbox release"/> On <time datetime="2021-10-18">18 October</cite>, Oddworld Inhabitants announced that <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition</cite> would release for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on <time datetime="2021-11-30">30 November</time>.<ref name="Enhanced Edition announced by Microids"/>
==== Steam ====
On <time datetime="2022-04-20">20 April 2022</time>, shortly after <cite>Soulstorm</cite>'s first anniversary of release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Epic Games Store, Oddworld Inhabitants announced that <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition</cite> including <cite>[[Toby's Escape]]</cite> would soon release for Steam, although no release date was provided.<ref name="Soulstorm Steam official site"/><ref name="Soulstorm Steam Instagram"/><ref name="Soulstorm Steam Twitter"/><ref name="Soulstorm Steam Facebook"/><ref name="Soulstorm Steam YouTube"/>
==== Timeline ====
==== Timeline ====
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: <cite>[[Toby's Escape]]</cite> for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Epic Games Store (digital)
: <cite>[[Toby's Escape]]</cite> for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Epic Games Store (digital)
: <cite>[[Oddworld: Soulstorm/Vykkers Labs|Vykkers Labs]]</cite> for Xbox Series X|S (physical and digital)
: <cite>[[Oddworld: Soulstorm/Vykkers Labs|Vykkers Labs]]</cite> for Xbox Series X|S (physical and digital)
; Unknown
: <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition</cite> for Steam (digital)
: <cite>[[Toby's Escape]]</cite> for Steam (digital)
; <time datetime="2021-12-16">16 December 2021</time>
==== <cite>Enhanced Edition</cite> ====
: 1.19/1.0.4
On <time datetime="2021-10-18">18 October 2021</cite>, Oddworld Inhabitants announced that <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition</cite> would be released on <time datetime="2021-11-30">30 November 2021</time>. This version of <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm</cite> would feature ‘<q>improved gameplay mechanics and motion code, audio balance improvements, seven additional months of polish, improved Slig and follower <abbr title="artificial intelligence">AI</abbr> (more intelligent and responsive),</q>,’<ref name="Enhanced Edition announced on Gematsu"/> as well as including all previously released patches to the original game. The <cite>Enhanced Edition</cite> will be released on Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. The press release stated that the <cite>Enhanced Edition</cite> would also ‘<q>be available</q>’ on the platforms that <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm</cite> was originally released on: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Epic Games Store;<ref name="Enhanced Edition announced by Microids"/> Oddworld Inhabitants quickly confirmed that it would be a free update for anyone who already owned the game on these platforms.<ref name="OWI confirms Enhanced free update"/>
==== <cite>Vykkers Labs</cite> and <cite>Toby's Escape</cite> ====
As part of <cite>Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition</cite>, a new challenge game mode will be added to the game, accessible from the main menu. The levels added will vary by platform, with <cite>Vykkers Labs</cite> being available in Xbox versions of the game, and <cite>Toby's Escape</cite> being added to PlayStation and Epic Game Store versions. Both <cite>Vykkers Labs</cite> and <cite>Toby's Escape</cite> will comprise ‘<q>short puzzle-filled levels</q>’ that are ‘<q>a throwback to classic Oddworld 2.5D gameplay</q>’, with leaderboards for speedrunning times.<ref name="Microids announces Soulstorm challenges"/>
== References ==
== References ==
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<ref name="OWI Soulstorm Xbox teaser"><b>Oddworld Inhabitants (<time datetime="2021-08-18T15:01:27.000Z">18 August 2021</time>)</b>. ‘Abe looks good in green.’ [https://twitter.com/OddworldInc/status/1428009149691015179 Tweet]. @OddworldInc. Twitter.</ref>
<ref name="OWI Soulstorm Xbox teaser"><b>Oddworld Inhabitants (<time datetime="2021-08-18T15:01:27.000Z">18 August 2021</time>)</b>. ‘Abe looks good in green.’ [https://twitter.com/OddworldInc/status/1428009149691015179 Tweet]. @OddworldInc. Twitter.</ref>
<ref name="NME interprets Xbox release"><b>Allen, Jen (<time datetime="2021-08-19">19 August 2021</time>)</b>. ‘[https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/oddworld-soulstorm-is-coming-to-xbox-series-xs-and-xbox-one-soon-3023310 ‘Oddworld: Soulstorm’ is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One soon]’. Gaming News. News. NME.</ref>
<ref name="NME interprets Xbox release"><b>Allen, Jen (<time datetime="2021-08-19">19 August 2021</time>)</b>. ‘[https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/oddworld-soulstorm-is-coming-to-xbox-series-xs-and-xbox-one-soon-3023310 ‘Oddworld: Soulstorm’ is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One soon]’. Gaming News. News. NME.</ref>
<ref name="Soulstorm Steam official site">
<b>Oddworld Staff
(<time datetime="2022-04-20T18:47:14Z"
>20 April 2022</time
>)</b
>.
‘[http://www.oddworld.com/2022/04/oddworld-soulstorm-coming-soon-to-steam/ Oddworld: Soulstorm Coming Soon to Steam]’.
News.
Oddworld Inhabitants official website.
</ref>
<ref name="Soulstorm Steam Instagram">
<b>Oddworld Inhabitants
(<time datetime="2022-04-20T19:15:57Z"
>20 April 2022</time
>)</b
>.
[https://www.instagram.com/p/CclY1nKA3D7/ Post].
‘We are thrilled to say: Full #Steam ahead Inhabitants!//Oddworld: Soulstorm coming soon to @Steam.//#oddworld
The narrative of Oddworld: Soulstorm diverges from the events of Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus, although it focuses on many of the same characters, locations and themes as well as introducing new ones. For instance, in Exoddus, Necrum Mines is the first playable location Abe visits, but in Soulstorm it is one of the last places Abe travels to.
After the Epic Spring Showcase, on , the Oddworld Inhabitants Twitter account shared a message from Oddworld creative director Lorne Lanning addressing Oddworld fans regarding the release date of Oddworld: Soulstorm.[1] In the final part of the four-tweet message, Lanning assured fans that the game's release date would be revealed before .[2]
On , Lanning hosted a 3-minute presentation during Sony's State of Play digital promotional event during which he announced that the PlayStation 5 version of Oddworld: Soulstorm would be free to play for PlayStation Plus members from to . The endslate of the video gave a release date for Oddworld: Soulstorm on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and on Epic Games Store for PC.[3] This was backed up by a post on Oddworld.com and a guest post by Lanning on the PlayStation.Blog.[4][5]
During the lawsuit of Epic Games, Inc. v. Apple Inc. held in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, one document submitted as evidence revealed that Epic Games Store had ‘lifetime exclusivity’ on Oddworld: Soulstorm, at least on PC, at least in the words Epic Games used internally, and at least at the time the document was used internally ().[6]
Pre-orders
Because Oddworld: Soulstorm was free on PlayStation 5 for PlayStation Plus members at its launch, Oddworld Inhabitants was unable to offer pre-orders on digital copies of the game for both PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.[7] However, pre-orders for Microids' physical editions were available from (for PlayStation versions) and (for Xbox versions).
Cross Buy
Customers who purchased the digital PlayStation 4 version of Oddworld: Soulstorm would be able to own the digital PlayStation 5 version of the game as well for free. However, because the digital PlayStation 5 version of Soulstorm would be free for PlayStation Plus members at the game's launch, the reverse would not be true, and customers buying the digital PlayStation 5 version of the game would not be able to also own the digital PlayStation 4 version of the game for free.[8]
Physical
On , Microids announced that it was publishing physical editions of Oddworld: Soulstorm for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, to be released by retailers on , with participating retailers offering pre-orders immediately.[9] On , Microids announced that it was publishing physical editions of Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition for Xbox One and Xbox X|S, to be released by retailers on , with participating retailers offering pre-orders immediately.[10]
On both occasions, two physical versions were made available, the ‘Day One Oddition’ and the ‘Collector's Oddition’.
The Day One Oddition features the game in a collectible embossed metal case featuring Abe's scarred left hand on the front and his tattooed chest on the rear. The Collector's Oddition includes the metal case and also comes with
As part of Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition, a new challenge game mode will be added to the game, accessible from the main menu. The levels added will vary by platform, with Vykkers Labs being available in Xbox versions of the game, and Toby's Escape being added to PlayStation and Epic Game Store versions. Both Vykkers Labs and Toby's Escape will comprise ‘short puzzle-filled levels’ that are ‘a throwback to classic Oddworld 2.5D gameplay’, with leaderboards for speedrunning times.[13]
Xbox
In June 2021, Oddworld: Soulstorm received an ESRB rating for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S,[14] which was shortly thereafter removed from the ESRB website. On 11 August,[15] Oddworld Inhabitants tweeted a photo of Lorne Lanning that prominently showed a gantt chart on a blackboard labelled with ‘Xbox’, with the date of 23 August circled for a Release Candidate. On 18 August, Oddworld Inhabitants tweeted a video that many interpreted as a teaser for an Xbox release.[16][17] On 18 October, Oddworld Inhabitants announced that Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition would release for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on 30 November.[10]
Steam
On 20 April 2022, shortly after Soulstorm's first anniversary of release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Epic Games Store, Oddworld Inhabitants announced that Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition including Toby's Escape would soon release for Steam, although no release date was provided.[18][19][20][21][22]
Timeline
25 March 2021
Collector's Oddition and Day One Oddition for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 (pre-order)
↑Lanning, Lorne (11 February 2021). ‘A message from @lorne_lanning: // To Our Fans, // Thank you for your support. Today we released a new teaser trailer, courtesy of our friends at Epic. If you haven’t seen it yet, click here to check it out:’. Tweet. @OddworldInc. Twitter.
↑Lanning, Lorne (11 February 2021). ‘So, with Abe as my witness, before the sun sets on the last day of February 2021, you will know the official simultaneous release date for Oddworld: Soulstorm’s on PS5, PS4, and Epic Games Store. // Until then, stay safe. Stay odd! // Lorne Lanning’. Tweet. @OddworldInc. Twitter.
↑Epic Games (25 October 2019). ‘Lifetime exclusivity on select titles (Oddworld: Soulstorm, Auto Chess, 10 Crowns, Ooblets, World War Z)’. ‘2nd Half 2019 + MG risk mitigated by evolved deal structure’, ‘Epic Games Store 12 Month Exclusive - Deal Structures’, slide 61. ‘Epic Games Store Review of Performance and Strategy’. Exhibit DX-4361. Epic Games, Inc. v. Apple, Inc., 4:20-cv-05640-YGR (2021). United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
↑Oddworld Inhabitants (5·24 pm, 23 March 2021). ‘@QuinnMi96388106 @StanGe205 Hi Quinn, don't worry we received your "lovely" email. Because Soulstorm is April’s free game of the month for PS5 PS+ members, we are not allowed to offer pre-orders for the PS digital versions of the game. But, PC players can pre-order right now at Epic Games Store.’. Tweet. @OddworldInc. Twitter.
↑Oddworld Inhabitants (4·16 pm, 2 April 2021). ‘If you purchase the digital PS4 version, we are offering a FREE PATH to the PS5 digital version. But, because the game is free for PS5 PS+ owners in April, we will not be offering a free backward path from PS5 to PS4.’. Tweet. @OddworldInc. Twitter.
↑Oddworld Inhabitants (). ‘Hey Inhabitants! Enhanced Edition WILL be a FREE update for all of our PlayStation and PC players. Thanks for supporting us from the start!’. Tweet. @OddworldInc. Twitter.
↑Oddworld Inhabitants (11 August 2021). ‘Nerds love to nerd! Shoutout to @Microids_off for making @Lorne_Lanning a very happy man with a complete set of the “Black Moon Chronicles” by Francois Marcela-Froideval. What works inspire you to create Inhabitants?’. Tweet. @OddworldInc. Twitter.
↑Oddworld Inhabitants (18 August 2021). ‘Abe looks good in green.’ Tweet. @OddworldInc. Twitter.
↑Oddworld Inhabitants
(20 April 2022).
Post.
‘We are thrilled to say: Full #Steam ahead Inhabitants!//Oddworld: Soulstorm coming soon to @Steam.//#oddworld
#oddworldsoulstorm #videogames #gaming #steam #steamgames #pc #pcmasterrace release #oddworldinhabitants
#fantasy #scifi #gamecinematics #cinematics’.
Oddworld Inhabitants account.
Instagram.
↑Oddworld Inhabitants
(20 April 2022).
Tweet.
‘We are thrilled to say: Full #Steam ahead Inhabitants!//Oddworld: Soulstorm coming soon to
@Steam.//Wishlist here: http://bit.ly/3Osj1sa’.
@OddworldInc account.
Twitter.
↑Oddworld Inhabitants
(20 April 2022).
Post.
‘We are thrilled to say: Full #Steam ahead Inhabitants!//Oddworld: Soulstorm coming soon to
Steam.//Wishlist here: bit.ly/3Osj1sa’.
Oddworld Inhabitants page.
Facebook.