Lorne Lanning ranks all Oddworld games from worst to best with exclusive development insights
Introduction
In an exclusive reveal, Oddworld creator Lorne Lanning provides his definitive ranking of every game in the beloved franchise, from the 1997 original to the recent Soulstorm reboot. This insider perspective offers unprecedented insights into the development challenges, creative triumphs, and lessons learned across nearly three decades of Oddworld history.
As the visionary behind one of gaming’s most distinctive universes, Lanning’s rankings carry unique authority, blending technical assessment with personal reflections on each project’s journey from concept to completion.
The Oddworld series has evolved dramatically since Abe first escaped RuptureFarms, transitioning from 2D platformers to 3D adventures while maintaining its signature dark humor and environmental themes. Lanning’s rankings consider not just final products but the circumstances surrounding each game’s creation – from technological limitations to publisher issues that impacted their reception.
6. Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee
Munch’s Oddysee represents the most compromised vision in the series, according to Lanning. Originally conceived with a Jekyll & Hyde mechanic where Abe could trigger Munch’s transformation into a powerful monster form, technical limitations forced significant scaling back. “We were having challenges that stopped us from getting to that level,” Lanning admits, referencing the unrealized potential inspired by Looney Tunes’ transformation tropes.
For players revisiting Munch’s Oddysee today, understanding its development context enhances appreciation. The game’s ambitious scope – attempting to bridge 2D and 3D Oddworld – makes its shortcomings more understandable. Pro Tip: Focus on the environmental storytelling, where the team’s worldbuilding shines despite gameplay limitations.
Common criticism about inconsistent controls stems from last-minute changes to the transformation system. Without this planned mechanic, some actions feel incomplete. Lanning remains surprised by the game’s enduring fanbase: “I can’t say I was that happy with the end result, but I am surprised at how many people really loved it.”
5. Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus
Abe’s Exoddus stands as a testament to developer resilience under extreme pressure. Created in just nine months to meet publisher demands, Lanning reveals how external factors undermined its success: “The shortcomings in the marketplace had more to do with publishers going out of business than our effort.” This behind-the-scenes context explains why such a polished sequel struggled commercially.
For modern players, Exoddus offers the purest expression of classic Oddworld gameplay. Advanced Tip: Master the game’s possession mechanics to discover hidden areas that showcase the team’s attention to detail despite time constraints. The game’s dark humor and environmental puzzles remain benchmarks for the series.
Lanning’s frustration is palpable when discussing Exoddus: “If you screw up and it’s your own fault, then it’s your own fault, eat it. But if something else screws up that’s beyond your control, it really hits hard.” This candid admission reveals the emotional toll of development challenges outside creators’ hands.
4. Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee
The original Abe’s Oddysee occupies a complex position in Lanning’s ranking – foundational yet flawed. “We had a lot to learn,” he admits, citing the game’s notorious difficulty and technical issues. Most painfully, a critical bug that had been fixed reappeared in the final release: “Someone made the decision to go to gold master with an A-class bug… you didn’t have the ability to patch it like you would today.”
For first-time players approaching this classic, understanding its historical context is crucial. Common Mistake: Don’t judge the controls by modern standards – the deliberate movement was designed to emphasize Abe’s vulnerability. The game’s environmental puzzles remain brilliantly designed, with solutions that reward observation and patience.
Despite its flaws, Abe’s Oddysee established the series’ distinctive identity. Its dark industrial aesthetic and moral themes about corporate exploitation created a template that still defines Oddworld games today. Lanning’s reflections reveal how these pioneering elements emerged from technical constraints: “We were on a really scrappy engine, it was kind of terrible to deliver.”
3. Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty
New ‘n’ Tasty represents a turning point in Oddworld’s history – a remake done right. Lanning takes pride in how the team approached this project: “We tried to do something that the industry wasn’t doing well… really giving authenticity to a remake.” This philosophy resulted in a respectful reimagining that enhanced the original while preserving its soul.
For players comparing versions, New ‘n’ Tasty’s most significant improvements include: 1) Smoother controls that maintain strategic weight, 2) Expanded environmental details that enrich storytelling, and 3) Quality-of-life updates that reduce frustration without compromising challenge. Optimization Tip: Play with the updated camera options to find your preferred perspective balance between classic and modern.
The project wasn’t without challenges, serving as Oddworld Inhabitants’ first major distributed development effort. Lanning reflects: “We learned a lot from it” – lessons that would prove valuable for Soulstorm’s more ambitious production. This transitional title demonstrated the franchise’s continued relevance while honoring its roots.
2. Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath
Stranger’s Wrath earns its high ranking by achieving what Lanning calls “the cleanest, most concise-playing game from idea to manifestation.” This bold departure from Abe’s story introduced first-person shooting mechanics that perfectly complemented the series’ signature creativity. The live ammunition system – using captured creatures as weapons – remains one of gaming’s most inventive combat approaches.
Advanced players should explore Stranger’s Wrath’s bounty hunting system depth: 1) Experiment with different ammo combinations for environmental effects, 2) Study enemy behaviors to maximize capture efficiency, and 3) Replay bounties to improve your ratings. The game’s hybrid gameplay – mixing stealth, shooting, and platforming – showcases Oddworld at its most mechanically ambitious.
Lanning’s affection for Stranger’s Wrath is evident: “It’s still my favorite game in a lot of ways.” Its technical achievements – particularly the seamless integration of first-person and third-person perspectives – demonstrated the team’s growing mastery of 3D game design. While not without challenges, it came closest to realizing its original vision among early Oddworld titles.
1. Oddworld: Soulstorm
Soulstorm tops Lanning’s ranking as the ultimate realization of Oddworld’s potential. “It gave us that capability to start telling the story deeper, more mysteriously, and more powerfully,” he explains, highlighting the game’s sophisticated camera choreography that emphasizes Abe’s vulnerability against the industrial world. This dynamic visual storytelling creates the series’ most cinematic experience while maintaining gameplay depth.
For players diving into Soulstorm, key innovations to master include: 1) The crafting system that rewards exploration, 2) Expanded follower mechanics that create emergent gameplay scenarios, and 3) Multi-path environments that encourage replayability. Pro Tip: Adjust camera settings to ‘Dynamic’ for the full intended experience of scale and perspective shifts.
Lanning sees Soulstorm as both culmination and new beginning: “It sets the stage well for what comes next.” Despite launch bugs that required post-release attention, the game represents Oddworld at its most ambitious – technically accomplished, narratively rich, and visually stunning. Its position atop Lanning’s ranking reflects both achievement and promise for the franchise’s future.
Conclusion
Lorne Lanning’s rankings provide more than a simple list – they’re a masterclass in game development evolution. From Abe’s Oddysee’s pioneering beginnings to Soulstorm’s cinematic ambition, each title reflects both creative vision and practical realities of game production. The series’ endurance stems from this honest approach to storytelling married to inventive gameplay.
For Oddworld fans, these insights offer new appreciation for both triumphs and struggles. As Lanning hints at future projects – including potential television adaptations – the franchise’s distinctive blend of dark humor, environmental themes, and quirky characters continues to find new expressions. The creator’s personal rankings ultimately celebrate Oddworld’s resilience through gaming’s changing landscape.
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