Difference between revisions of "The Ooze"

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m (Text replacement - "{{fileref\|MeanMachinesSega([1-9][0-9]+)UK\.pdf\|page=(.*)}}" to "{{magref|mms|$1|$2}}")
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{{Bob
 
{{Bob
−
| bobscreen=Ooze.png
+
| bobscreen=Ooze MD Title.png
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
−
| developer=[[Sega Technical Institute]]
+
| developer=[[Sega Technical Institute]], [[Sega of America]]
 +
| distributor={{company|[[Ecofilmes]]|region=PT}}, {{company|[[Tec Toy]]|region=BR}}
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
−
| romsize=1MB
 
 
| sounddriver=[[GEMS]]
 
| sounddriver=[[GEMS]]
 
| peripherals=
 
| peripherals=
 
| players=1
 
| players=1
−
| genre=Action
+
| genre=Action{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200720095133/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html}}
 
| releases={{releasesMD
 
| releases={{releasesMD
−
| md_date_us=1995-05-06
+
| md_date_jp=1995-09-22{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200720095133/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html}}
 +
| md_code_jp=G-4134
 +
| md_rrp_jp=5,800
 +
| md_date_us=1995-09{{intref|The Ooze/Magazine articles}}
 
| md_code_us=1512
 
| md_code_us=1512
−
| md_rrp_us=49.99{{fileref|GamePro US 076.pdf|page=80}}<!--59.99{{intref|GamePlayers US 0810.pdf|page=46}}-->
+
| md_rrp_us=49.99{{magref|gamepro|76|80}}<!--59.99{{intref|GamePlayers US 0810.pdf|page=46}}-->
 +
| md_rating_us=ka
 +
| md_date_us_sc=199x
 +
| md_rrp_us_sc=sub
 +
| md_rating_us_sc=
 
| md_date_eu=1995-12{{magref|mms|39|67}}
 
| md_date_eu=1995-12{{magref|mms|39|67}}
 
| md_code_eu=1572-50
 
| md_code_eu=1572-50
 +
| md_rating_eu=3
 +
| md_date_uk=1996-02-02{{magref|ctw|572|17}}<!--1995-12{{magref|mms|39|67}}-->
 +
| md_code_uk=1572-50
 +
| md_rating_uk=3
 
| md_rrp_uk=24.99{{magref|mms|39|67}}
 
| md_rrp_uk=24.99{{magref|mms|39|67}}
−
| md_date_jp=1995-09-22
 
−
| md_code_jp=G-4134
 
−
| md_rrp_jp=5,800
 
 
| md_date_au=199x
 
| md_date_au=199x
 
| md_code_au=FTHE18SMC
 
| md_code_au=FTHE18SMC
−
| md_date_br=1995-10{{fileref|SuperGamePower BR 019.pdf|page=13}}
+
| md_rating_au=g
 +
| md_date_br=1995-10{{magref|sgp|19|13}}
 +
| md_code_br=
 +
| md_rating_br=ti
 
| md_date_pt=1995
 
| md_date_pt=1995
 
| md_code_pt=MDJSE0142
 
| md_code_pt=MDJSE0142
 
}}
 
}}
−
| esrb=ka
 
−
| elspa=3
 
−
| oflc=gold
 
−
| tectoy=ti
 
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (ジ・ウーズ) is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] game created by [[STI]] in 1995.
+
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (ジ・ウーズ) is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] action strategy game developed by [[Sega Technical Institute]] and published by [[Sega]]. Released in 1995 to mixed reviews, the game is the last that STI would develop for the aging 16-bit platform.
 +
 
 +
==Story==
 +
{{ScreenThumb|The Ooze, Introduction.png|width=200|Introduction}}
 +
Dr. Caine becomes suspicious of the Corporation's behind-the-scenes research and scans its databases during an evening shutdown, discovering that the Corporation has successfully developed a hybrid plague so dangerous and fast-spreading it could wipe out humanity in a few days, and intends on infecting the entire planet by polluting the water supplies with it and extort billions of dollars from world governments to supply the cure.
 +
 
 +
Upon discovering this information, Dr. Caine was caught by the Director and his henchmen, and was injected with a glowing green substance with intentions of killing him. However, the substance had instead transformed him into a living puddle of toxic ooze. Filled with rage and a strange power, Caine now seeks revenge on the Corporation and the Director, intending to destroy them and prevent them from unleashing the plague upon the world, hoping to regain his humanity no matter the cost.
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
−
The game takes place from an overhead view. The main character is a puddle of ooze with a head. He can move around and has two attacks. One is stretching out a steerable pseudopod of ooze whose length is only limited by how much ooze he currently has to attack ({{A}}), and it can also be guided around with the control pad. He can also spit gobs of ooze ({{B}}), although this takes off a bit of his puddle. Enemy attacks can cut off a bit of the ooze, and the player will die either if his puddle of ooze is reduced to a very small amount or if his head is attacked directly.
+
{{ScreenThumb|The Ooze, DNA Strands.png|width=200|Collected DNA strands}}
 +
Taking place with an overhead point of view, the main character is a puddle of green ooze which can be moved about the play area with the D-Pad using an advanced fluid-like algorithm developed specifically for the game. The player must explore the maze-like levels to find switches to unlock different parts of the level before eventually finding the exit. Each level has three parts, the last of which contains a boss that must be defeated to open the exit. Levels contain hidden DNA strands that can be collected to earn the good ending.
 +
 
 +
Defeating organic enemies makes them drop pieces of ooze, which can be absorbed to increase the puddle's size. The size of the puddle acts as a form of health for Caine, though it also makes him a bigger target to attacks and hazards. Taking damage reduces the size of the ooze puddle. Levels include obstacles such as drains that devour the puddle. Attacking enemies involves stretching out the ooze puddle into a controllable "arm" whose length is provided by briefly shifting ooze from the main puddle, which is done with {{A}}. The punch can be extended longer by holding the button longer if the ooze puddle is large enough. It can be guided in multiple directions using the D-Pad, allowing it to navigate around obstacles to collect items or activate switches or to attack enemies without entering their direct line of fire. Levels also contain lighted poles that can be punched by the ooze to safely transport it between points. Small portions of the puddle itself can be shot as a projectile attack with {{B}}, as long as there is enough ooze to do so.
 +
 
 +
Caine loses a life if the ooze puddle is reduced too low or if the puddle’s head is attacked directly. The game ends if the player runs out of lives.
 +
 
 +
===Items===
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=50|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Extra Ooze
 +
| sprite={{sprite | The Ooze, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Gives Caine more ooze.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Speed
 +
| sprite={{sprite | The Ooze, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Increases Caine's speed. The ooze turns yellow when it is active, and turns orange when it is about to run out.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Industrial Strength Toxin
 +
| sprite={{sprite | The Ooze, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Allows Caine to defeat organic creatures just by touching them. The ooze turns red when it is active, and turns black when it is about to run out.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Extra Life
 +
| sprite={{sprite | The Ooze, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=48 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Awards an extra life.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=DNA Helix
 +
| sprite={{sprite | The Ooze, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=64 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Caine needs to collect all 50 of these to regain his humanity at the end of the game. Each level has 10 to find.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Waypoint
 +
| sprite={{sprite | The Ooze, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=80 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Serves as a checkpoint, allowing Caine to restart from it whenever he dies.
 +
}}
 +
}}
  
 
===Levels===
 
===Levels===
−
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=200|
+
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320|
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Toxic Dump
 
| title=Toxic Dump
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=The Ooze, Stage 1-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=The Ooze, Stage 1-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=The Ooze, Stage 1-3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Waste Plant
 
| title=Waste Plant
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=The Ooze, Stage 2-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=The Ooze, Stage 2-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=The Ooze, Stage 2-3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Genetics Lab
 
| title=Genetics Lab
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=The Ooze, Stage 3-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=The Ooze, Stage 3-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=The Ooze, Stage 3-3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Power Core
 
| title=Power Core
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=The Ooze, Stage 4-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=The Ooze, Stage 4-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=The Ooze, Stage 4-3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{InfoRow
 
{{InfoRow
 
| title=Plague Factory
 
| title=Plague Factory
−
| screenshot=Notavailable.svg
+
| screenshot=The Ooze, Stage 5-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=The Ooze, Stage 5-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=The Ooze, Stage 5-3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 
| desc=
 
| desc=
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
===Bonus level===
 +
{{ScreenThumb|The Ooze, Bonus Stage.png|width=200|Bonus level}}
 +
There are ten different bonus levels hidden throughout the game where the player can attack rabbits to gain more ooze. The rabbits become hostile when the ooze gets near them and try to consume the puddle. These bonus levels are timed and end if time runs out.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
===Development===
 
===Development===
−
''The Ooze'' is based on an algorithmically-generated cellular automaton. As such, the main character can be split apart and reformed like a viscous liquid. The gameplay is reminiscent of [[The Bitmap Brothers]]' game ''[[The Chaos Engine]]'' (called ''Soldiers of Fortune'' in the US). The art style evokes a cartoony (necessitated by the constraints of the medium) H.R. Giger. The story recalls ''The Toxic Avenger''. The development team included people who later worked for Blizzard North on ''Diablo'' and ''Diablo II'', including designer [[Stieg Hedlund]]. Some of the programming was fairly advanced for a 16-bit system; for example, the speed powerup effect was actually created by decreasing the viscosity of the character.
+
''The Ooze'' is based on an algorithmically-generated cellular automaton. As such, the main character can be split apart and reformed like a viscous liquid. The gameplay is reminiscent of [[The Bitmap Brothers]]' game ''[[The Chaos Engine]]'' (called ''Soldiers of Fortune'' in the US). The art style evokes a cartoony (necessitated by the constraints of the medium) H.R. Giger. The story recalls ''The Toxic Avenger''. The development team included people who later worked for [[Condor|Blizzard North]] on ''Diablo'' and ''Diablo II'', including designer [[Stieg Hedlund]]. Some of the programming was fairly advanced for a 16-bit system; for example, the speed power-up effect was actually created by decreasing the viscosity of the character.
  
 
===Legacy===
 
===Legacy===
−
The game's status as a cult classic is confirmed by its inclusion in the Japanese version of ''[[Sonic Mega Collection]]'' and in all versions of ''[[Sonic Mega Collection Plus]]''. It is unlockable in two ways: In the [[Xbox]] and [[PlayStation 2]] version, it can be unlocked if you have a ''[[Sonic Heroes]]'' save. In all versions, it can be unlocked by playing any game on the disk for 30 hours.
+
The game is considered a cult classic. It was included in the Japanese version of ''[[Sonic Mega Collection]]'' in 2002 and in all versions of ''[[Sonic Mega Collection Plus]]'' in 2004. In the latter collection, it is unlockable in two ways. In the [[Xbox]] and [[PlayStation 2]] versions, it can be unlocked if the user has a ''[[Sonic Heroes]]'' save. In all versions, it can be unlocked by playing any game on the disk for 30 hours.
 +
 
 +
In 2022, the game was included in the North American and European versions of the [[Mega Drive Mini 2]].
  
 
==Production credits==
 
==Production credits==
−
{{multicol|
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Production credits}}
−
{{creditstable|
+
 
−
*'''Producer:''' [[Mike Wallis|Michael Wallis]]
+
==Digital manuals==
−
*'''Concept & Lead Programmer:''' [[Dave Sanner]]
+
<gallery>
−
*'''Art Directors:''' [[Robert Steele]], [[John Duggan]]
+
Ooze MD US MDMini2 manual.pdf|Mega Drive Mini 2 US manual
−
*'''Artists:''' [[Alan Ackerman]], [[Stieg Hedlund]], [[Dean Ruggles]], [[Joe Stephenson]], [[Craig Stitt]], [[Tom Tobey]], [[Marte Thompson]]
+
Ooze MD EU MDMini2 manual.pdf|Mega Drive Mini 2 EU manual
−
*'''Design:''' [[Jason Kuo]], [[Stieg Hedlund]], [[Dave Sanner]]
+
</gallery>
−
*'''Intro & Ending Artwork:''' [[Tony De Zuniga]], [[Tom Tobey]]
 
−
*'''Music & Sound Effects:''' [[Howard Drossin]]
 
−
*'''Boss Programming:''' [[Robert Morgan]]
 
−
*'''Lead Tester:''' [[Rey Alferez]]
 
−
*'''Testers:''' [[Tim Spengler|Timothy Spengler]], [[Todd Slepian]], Mike Benton, Nelson Chiu, Alfred Dutton, Steve Fallas, [[Richie Hideshima]], Michael Ironside, Dylan Manger, [[David Paniagua]], [[Sean Potter]], Jeff Sanders, [[Stan Weaver]], Michael Wu
 
−
*'''Programming & Technical Thanks:''' [[Scott Chandler]], [[Jason Plumb]], [[Mark Cerny]]
 
−
*'''Special Thanks:''' [[Roger Hector]], [[Sheri Hockaday]], Emi Kawamura, Sue Ortlip, Paul Sears, [[Dean Lester]], [[Michael Kosaka]], Hoyt Ng
 
−
*'''Created by:''' [[Sega Technical Institute]]
 
−
*'''Presented By:''' [[Sega]] & [[Sega of America]]
 
−
| source=In-game credits
 
−
| console=MD
 
−
}}
 
−
}}
 
  
 
==Magazine articles==
 
==Magazine articles==
Line 97: Line 157:
  
 
==Physical scans==
 
==Physical scans==
−
{{ratings
+
{{ratings|MD}}
−
| icon=MD
 
−
<!-- | bemega_r=No rating -->
 
−
| egm=39
 
−
| gameplayers=64
 
−
| joypad=70
 
−
| mms=79
 
−
| mms_source={{num|39|page=66-68|pdf=MeanMachinesSega39UK.pdf|pdfpage=67}}
 
−
| playerone=82
 
−
| playerone_source={{num|62|page=100}}
 
−
| segapower=
 
−
| segapower_source={{num|75}}
 
−
| segapro=81
 
−
| segapro_source={{num|53|page=37}}
 
−
| stc=70
 
−
| stc_source={{num|78|page=17}}
 
−
}}
 
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=JP
 +
| cover=Theooze md jp cover.jpg
 +
| cart=Theooze md jp cart.jpg
 +
| carttop=TheOoze_MD_JP_CartTop_600.jpg
 +
| manual=Ooze md jp manual.pdf
 +
| item1=Theooze md jp innercover.jpg
 +
| item1name=Inner Cover
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| region=US
 
| region=US
Line 127: Line 180:
 
| cover=Theooze md eu cover.jpg
 
| cover=Theooze md eu cover.jpg
 
| cart=TheOoze MD EU Cart.jpg
 
| cart=TheOoze MD EU Cart.jpg
 +
| manual=The Ooze MD EU Manual.jpg
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
−
| region=JP
+
| region=PT
−
| cover=Theooze md jp cover.jpg
+
| cover=Ooze MD PT cover.jpg
−
| cart=Theooze md jp cart.jpg
+
| cart=TheOoze MD EU Cart.jpg
−
| carttop=TheOoze_MD_JP_CartTop_600.jpg
+
| manual=Ooze MD PT manual.jpg
−
| manual=Ooze md jp manual.pdf
+
| item1=The Ooze MD EU Manual.jpg
−
| item1=Theooze md jp innercover.jpg
+
| item1name=EU Manual
−
| item1name=Inner Cover
 
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
Line 147: Line 200:
 
| cart=Ooze MD BR Cart.jpg
 
| cart=Ooze MD BR Cart.jpg
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=ZA
 +
| cover=TheOoze MD ZA Box Front.jpg
 +
| cart=TheOoze MD EU Cart.jpg
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Technical information==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
 +
 +
==External links==
 +
* Sega of America webpage: [https://web.archive.org/web/19980223131553/http://www.sega.com:80/products/games/00427.html Mega Drive]
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 153: Line 218:
 
{{OozeOmni}}
 
{{OozeOmni}}
 
{{TheTitle}}
 
{{TheTitle}}
−
[[Category:Sega Channel games]]
+
[[Category:Mega Drive Mini 2 games]]

Revision as of 14:03, 14 November 2024

n/a

Ooze MD Title.png

The Ooze
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Distributor: Ecofilmes (PT), Tec Toy (BR)
Sound driver: GEMS
Genre: Action[1]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥5,8005,800 G-4134
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$49.9949.99[3] 1512
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Sega Mega Drive
US ▼
(Sega Channel) 		SUBsub
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		1572-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Mega Drive
PT 		MDJSE0142
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£24.9924.99[4] 1572-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Mega Drive
AU 		FTHE18SMC
OFLC: G
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Tectoy: Todas as Idades

The Ooze (ジ・ウーズ) is a Sega Mega Drive action strategy game developed by Sega Technical Institute and published by Sega. Released in 1995 to mixed reviews, the game is the last that STI would develop for the aging 16-bit platform.

Story

The Ooze, Introduction.png

Introduction

Dr. Caine becomes suspicious of the Corporation's behind-the-scenes research and scans its databases during an evening shutdown, discovering that the Corporation has successfully developed a hybrid plague so dangerous and fast-spreading it could wipe out humanity in a few days, and intends on infecting the entire planet by polluting the water supplies with it and extort billions of dollars from world governments to supply the cure.

Upon discovering this information, Dr. Caine was caught by the Director and his henchmen, and was injected with a glowing green substance with intentions of killing him. However, the substance had instead transformed him into a living puddle of toxic ooze. Filled with rage and a strange power, Caine now seeks revenge on the Corporation and the Director, intending to destroy them and prevent them from unleashing the plague upon the world, hoping to regain his humanity no matter the cost.

Gameplay

The Ooze, DNA Strands.png

Collected DNA strands

Taking place with an overhead point of view, the main character is a puddle of green ooze which can be moved about the play area with the D-Pad using an advanced fluid-like algorithm developed specifically for the game. The player must explore the maze-like levels to find switches to unlock different parts of the level before eventually finding the exit. Each level has three parts, the last of which contains a boss that must be defeated to open the exit. Levels contain hidden DNA strands that can be collected to earn the good ending.

Defeating organic enemies makes them drop pieces of ooze, which can be absorbed to increase the puddle's size. The size of the puddle acts as a form of health for Caine, though it also makes him a bigger target to attacks and hazards. Taking damage reduces the size of the ooze puddle. Levels include obstacles such as drains that devour the puddle. Attacking enemies involves stretching out the ooze puddle into a controllable "arm" whose length is provided by briefly shifting ooze from the main puddle, which is done with A. The punch can be extended longer by holding the button longer if the ooze puddle is large enough. It can be guided in multiple directions using the D-Pad, allowing it to navigate around obstacles to collect items or activate switches or to attack enemies without entering their direct line of fire. Levels also contain lighted poles that can be punched by the ooze to safely transport it between points. Small portions of the puddle itself can be shot as a projectile attack with B, as long as there is enough ooze to do so.

Caine loses a life if the ooze puddle is reduced too low or if the puddle’s head is attacked directly. The game ends if the player runs out of lives.

Items

The Ooze, Items.png
 Extra Ooze
Gives Caine more ooze.
The Ooze, Items.png
 Speed
Increases Caine's speed. The ooze turns yellow when it is active, and turns orange when it is about to run out.
The Ooze, Items.png
 Industrial Strength Toxin
Allows Caine to defeat organic creatures just by touching them. The ooze turns red when it is active, and turns black when it is about to run out.
The Ooze, Items.png
 Extra Life
Awards an extra life.
The Ooze, Items.png
 DNA Helix
Caine needs to collect all 50 of these to regain his humanity at the end of the game. Each level has 10 to find.
The Ooze, Items.png
 Waypoint
Serves as a checkpoint, allowing Caine to restart from it whenever he dies.

Levels

The Ooze, Stage 1-1.png

The Ooze, Stage 1-2.png

The Ooze, Stage 1-3.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 1-1.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 1-2.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 1-3.png

Toxic Dump

The Ooze, Stage 2-1.png

The Ooze, Stage 2-2.png

The Ooze, Stage 2-3.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 2-1.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 2-2.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 2-3.png

Waste Plant

The Ooze, Stage 3-1.png

The Ooze, Stage 3-2.png

The Ooze, Stage 3-3.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 3-1.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 3-2.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 3-3.png

Genetics Lab

The Ooze, Stage 4-1.png

The Ooze, Stage 4-2.png

The Ooze, Stage 4-3.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 4-1.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 4-2.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 4-3.png

Power Core

The Ooze, Stage 5-1.png

The Ooze, Stage 5-2.png

The Ooze, Stage 5-3.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 5-1.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 5-2.png

  • The Ooze, Stage 5-3.png

Plague Factory

Bonus level

The Ooze, Bonus Stage.png

Bonus level

There are ten different bonus levels hidden throughout the game where the player can attack rabbits to gain more ooze. The rabbits become hostile when the ooze gets near them and try to consume the puddle. These bonus levels are timed and end if time runs out.

History

Development

The Ooze is based on an algorithmically-generated cellular automaton. As such, the main character can be split apart and reformed like a viscous liquid. The gameplay is reminiscent of The Bitmap Brothers' game The Chaos Engine (called Soldiers of Fortune in the US). The art style evokes a cartoony (necessitated by the constraints of the medium) H.R. Giger. The story recalls The Toxic Avenger. The development team included people who later worked for Blizzard North on Diablo and Diablo II, including designer Stieg Hedlund. Some of the programming was fairly advanced for a 16-bit system; for example, the speed power-up effect was actually created by decreasing the viscosity of the character.

Legacy

The game is considered a cult classic. It was included in the Japanese version of Sonic Mega Collection in 2002 and in all versions of Sonic Mega Collection Plus in 2004. In the latter collection, it is unlockable in two ways. In the Xbox and PlayStation 2 versions, it can be unlocked if the user has a Sonic Heroes save. In all versions, it can be unlocked by playing any game on the disk for 30 hours.

In 2022, the game was included in the North American and European versions of the Mega Drive Mini 2.

Production credits

Main article: The Ooze/Production credits.

Digital manuals

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    Mega Drive Mini 2 US manual

  • Mega Drive Mini 2 EU manual

Magazine articles

Main article: The Ooze/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[7]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
39
[8]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
64
[9]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
43
[3]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
64
[10]
Joypad (FR)
70
[11]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
84
[12]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
79
[4]
Next Generation (US)
50
[13]
Player One (FR) PAL
82
[14]
Power Up! (UK)
75
[15]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
61
[16]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
81
[17]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
70
[18]
Tricks (RU)
78
[19]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
80
[20]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
90
[21]
Sega Mega Drive
 69
Based on
17 reviews

The Ooze

Mega Drive, JP
Theooze md jp cover.jpg
Cover
TheOoze MD JP CartTop 600.jpg
Theooze md jp cart.jpg
Cart
Ooze md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Theooze md jp innercover.jpg
Inner Cover
Mega Drive, US
TheOoze MD US Box Back.jpgTheOoze MD US Box Spine.jpgTheooze md us cover.jpg
Cover
Theooze md us cart.jpg
Cart
The Ooze MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
Theooze md eu cover.jpg
Cover
TheOoze MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
The Ooze MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, PT
Ooze MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
TheOoze MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Ooze MD PT manual.jpg
Manual
The Ooze MD EU Manual.jpg
EU Manual
Mega Drive, AU
TheOoze MD AU Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
Ooze MD BR cover.jpg
Cover
Ooze MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, ZA
TheOoze MD ZA Box Front.jpg
Cover
TheOoze MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

Main article: The Ooze/Technical information.

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-20 09:51)
  2. ↑ The Ooze/Magazine articles
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 GamePro, "November 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 80
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Mean Machines Sega, "January 1996" (UK; 1995-11-xx), page 67
  5. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1996-01-29), page 17
  6. ↑ SuperGamePower, "Outubro 1995" (BR; 1995-xx-xx), page 13
  7. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 156
  8. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "September 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 35
  9. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 8 No. 10 October 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 46
  10. ↑ Game Informer, "September 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 55
  11. ↑ Joypad, "Mars 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 43
  12. ↑ Mega Force, "Mars 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 72
  13. ↑ Next Generation, "October 1995" (US; 1995-09-19), page 125
  14. ↑ Player One, "Mars 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 100
  15. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, February 17, 1996" (UK; 1996-02-17), page 1
  16. ↑ Saturn Fan, "1995 December" (JP; 1995-11-08), page 70
  17. ↑ Sega Pro, "January 1996" (UK; 1995-11-30), page 29
  18. ↑ Sonic the Comic, "24 May 1996" (UK; 1996-05-11), page 17
  19. ↑ Tricks, "Vypusk 8" (RU; 1996-xx-xx), page 27
  20. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 130
  21. ↑ VideoGames, "October 1995" (US; 1995-09-19), page 80


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Sega Mega Drive
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