Scenery

This is a sub-page of Prerelease:Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee/Concept Art.

This page documents concept artwork related to the environments and other scenery of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee.

RuptureFarms#

Surprisingly, RuptureFarms had a drastically different appearance compared to its final design. It was originally envisioned as a large temple which was based on an early concept where Glukkons used to be a highly religious race and were dressed like priests. Judging by some of the artwork, it looks like RuptureFarms was meant to be much larger with more factories and other areas hidden within its complex. RuptureFarms was initially referred as "Cathedral" or "Mudos Temple".

The interior's structure looked similar to its final design with the addition of rooms and objects that reflected the facility's religious theme like giant Glukkon statues, altars and pipe organs. Another reason for its cathedral-like appearance was based on the idea that Glukkons worshiped profit (or more specifically, Moolah) and were idolizing the concept of business as their "god".¹ It was also meant to stand as a testament to their strength, showcasing the Glukkons as a once isolated species that rose into power by conquering lands and expanding their operations within the business industry all over Oddworld. Almost like an octopus learning how to expand its tentacles around you could say!

Environment#

Miscellaneous#

Concept artwork of various things related to RuptureFarms such as food products, machines, vehicles, etc.

Monsaic Lines#

Concept artwork of the Monsaic Lines.

Main Land#

Scar Chamber#

It seems Abe would have received his spiritual tattoos by a magic lightning crystal controlled by Big Face, while his hands would have been restrained by living leather wraps that were attached to the altar. Big Face is also depicted holding a staff which is only seen in the cutscene where he discovers Abe being unconscious on the ground.

Monsaic Sanctum#

Unknown Area#

Artwork reveals a large sphere-shaped transitional device that was meant to be somewhere within the Monsaic Lines. Inside there, Abe would discover a room that contained large ball-like objects and a map of the "Shadowlock World" carved into the floor. The area had likely something to do with the Shadowlock Medallion before that concept was scrapped.

Note: P.Lure is likely referring to "Prophit" Lure, one of many names for Abe that was used during his conception.

Paramonia#

Concept artwork of Paramonia and its temple. Paramonia was simply referred as "Forest" during its early conception and the Paramonian Temple as "Forest Temple" or "Temple 1".

Main Land#

Paramonian Temple#

Shadowlock Puzzle#

Somewhere within the Paramonian Temple, there was initially a room with a Shadowlock device. The device itself would require an "activation crystal" to power it up, causing the laterns on both sides to cast shadow symbols in the background. The symbols would then have to be matched together at the "screen" in the center of the room which would likely lead into unlocking a fragment of the Shadowlock Medallion.

Scrabania#

Concept artwork of Scrabania and its temple. Scrabania was simply referred as "Desert" during its early conception and the Scrabanian Temple as "Desert Temple" or "Temple 3".

Outskirts#

Scrabanian Temple#

Drums Minigame#

It seems there was some kind of minigame planned for the level at one point. Abe would find a room with inflated bladders and he would use them as instruments by hitting them with a pair of drumsticks. Judging by the picture, it looks like the minigame would play out similarly to a memory game, in which Abe would have to play the drums in the correct sequence and if he failed, a big rock would fall onto him and crush his head.

Oddly enough, a prototype build contains a bunch of unused sprites that depict Abe holding two drumsticks, swinging them in various directions.

Scrapped Environments#

Snow Region#

At some point, a snow biome was planned during the game's conceptual phase. Judging by the nature of the level, it can be assumed it would involve elements typically seen in snow/ice-themed environments like slippery platforming or walking through deep snow and using it as cover to hide from pursuers. It appears that Froggers would be the dominant creatures of this region, judging by some of the artwork below.

The level and its temple were referred as "Snow" and "Temple 2" during their early conception. It's official name is unknown, likely because this area was never fully realized during development and ended up on the cutting room floor early on as a result.

Tropical Region/Meecharnia#

Another omitted location was a tropical region and it would serve as the homeland of the now-extinct Meeches, had they not been removed from the game. Artwork shows the environment would share somewhat similar aesthetics with the Monsaic Lines, with a turquoise/dark blue color scheme and the area being populated by enormous trees which were connected to each other via roots and vines. Deep within lied a large red volcano which represented the temple of the Meeches, as seen in some level design documents. The Meeches were allegedly worshiped by the Mudmeechee tribe, who were considered as the "black sheep" of all Mudokon tribes.²

The level and its temple were referred as "Tropical" and "Temple 4" during their early conception. While the official name of the region was never revealed, it has been dubbed by the Oddworld community as "Meecharnia" and "Meecharnian Temple".

Unknown Location#

A colored concept piece depicts Abe running across a long bridge, that is built high-up to the sky. Maybe a sky island was in the plans at some point perhaps?

References#