We've seen tantilizing screenshots and a few graphics demos from the Xbox, but actual game play renderings have been hard to come by. In several short clips, Oddworld Inhabitants show us what we can look forward to. The Academy Award winning FMVs of the former Oddworld games are a good comparison for the actual game graphics of Munch's Oddysee. The graphics redefine beautiful. The in-game camera is phenomenal, providing highly cinematic shots that are no less than breathtaking. Oh yes, the future is bright indeed.

Munch's Oddysee revolves around another skewed contemporary fable. As Abe and the Mudokons had to rise up against their ruthless oppressors, so must Munch, a Gabbit, work to overthrow the evil Glukkons. Gabbit lungs are convenient transplants for Glukkon lungs worn out by too much evil cigar puffing, and Glukkons also love "Gabbiare," a delicacy made from Gabbit eggs. It's a good deal for the Glukkons, but the Gabbits have all but died out. Poor Munch is the only one left, and he becomes Abe's unwilling compatriot.

Throughout the game, you will play as both Abe and Munch. Each one has different abilities, and you will need to use each to get through different situations. Gamespeak has also been enhanced. You will be able to talk to many more characters, and there will be several new languages. The gamespeak controls, however, are supposed to remain very simple. In addition to improvements on legacy game controls, there will be many new elements in Munch's Oddysee.

Apparently the environment is going to be very customizable, allowing you to spend a lot of time changing things around you. Lorne Lanning, President/Creative Director of Oddworld Inhabitants, describes Munch's Oddysee as "a gene splicing of Action, Adventure, RPG, Strategy, and emulation, with Hollywood storytelling and production value sprinkled all over it." In my mind the previous Oddworld titles have already far surpassed the norms of Hollywood in storytelling and production values, but all that aside, it's a tantalizing proposition. According to Lanning, the game would take about 50-60 hours of play to complete the main narrative in lightning fast time. He anticipates that the resource management / ecology aspect of the game will captivate fans, and the game will become a real career endeavor. He also mentions that there are multiple sub-plots and side stories to become involved with, and that will enhance replayability as well.

The management aspects of the game will be so in-depth that Oddworld Inhabitants is already working on The Hand of Odd, which sounds like Munch's Oddysee with the one-player adventure removed. Rather than focusing on a storyline, The Hand of Odd will allow networked resource management, allowing gamers to share Oddworld. Details are still vague, but if Oddworld Inhabitants approaches this title like all the others it will surely be a groundbreaking success.