Rate top gamesReviews
Display options:
Fun simplified RTS game play that is replayable with great rogue-like randomly created islands. Repeat runs make for a slow start and a I still haven't been able to beat the game. But fun for a run. (Has been updated since.)
While the Sega Genesis had plenty of mascots during its run, but none were more of a representation of the 90’s than that of ToeJam and Earl; two aliens from the planet Funkotron who looked and spoke like they would have fit perfectly as Nickelodeon kid shows back in the days of Rocco Modern Life and Hey Arnold.
The games themselves were fun, kid friendly adventures with unique humour and animation. However after two games, the funky duo left the scene, until a recent resurgence thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign to bring them back with developers HumaNature Studios at the helm, an indie studio run by one of the creators of the original series.
With ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove releasing today, we wonder if time has been kind to the funky Aliens or did the bass line drop a long time ago? ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove has our titular aliens flying around in their decked out spaceship (the Rapmaster Rocket) on a date with their sweethearts Latisha and Lewanda, flying around Earth while blasting some funky beats when they accidentally destroy the planet with a black hole generator. The ship then crashes and breaks into 10 pieces which is up to the group to navigate the broken pieces of the Earth to put everything back together.
It’s hard to describe a game like ToeJam & Earl, at its core it plays like a roguelike adventure game with randomly generated levels, items and enemies thrown into the mix, yet the action comes from avoiding dangers and finding the quickest path to get all 10 pieces of the Rapmaster. In fact, I worry about making the game sound kind of boring by putting in words when in fact, the game is an absolute joy to play.
This is mainly thanks to the game’s unique style. As one of nine playable characters, each with different stats and abilities (such as Earl’s ability to eat rotten food), players will have can move around a chunk of broken the Broken Earth which is randomly generated with Earthlings which can provided either danger, annoyances or be helpful. These can range from internet trolls, Alien fans, jackhammering construction workers, hula girls, to even Gandhi, each character is cartoonish in their own right and add a bit of charm as you explore the world.
To help our friendly aliens on their journey, they’re given a variety of presents to use, each with a different effect. Like the Earthlings that you have to deal with, some are helpful, annoying to just rude. Presents are always unknown when you first pick them up, but unwrapping them will instantly use the item, helpful or harmful, and give a slight amount of XP.
The thing is, when you’re playing ToeJame and Earl: Back in the Groove, you’re really playing a modern version of the Genesis classic. This is by all means not a bad thing as it comes with a large variety of improvements such as smoother animation and better controls which makes the roguelike gameplay and the randomly generated levels more appreciated.
The game is short; as it took me around 3 hours to complete my first playthrough, but the ability to unlock new characters and couch co-op gameplay, not to mention the charm of the game, makes it easy to come back to for family game time.
ToeJam and Earl is a great kids game with plenty of charm for adults who grew up on the funky aliens to enjoy. It’s easy to pick up and play with a great multiplayer and doesn’t out stay its welcome. If you haven’t played a ToeJam and Earl game, this is definitely a great starting point, and if you’re already a fan, you’re going to love Back in the Groove.
The games themselves were fun, kid friendly adventures with unique humour and animation. However after two games, the funky duo left the scene, until a recent resurgence thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign to bring them back with developers HumaNature Studios at the helm, an indie studio run by one of the creators of the original series.
With ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove releasing today, we wonder if time has been kind to the funky Aliens or did the bass line drop a long time ago? ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove has our titular aliens flying around in their decked out spaceship (the Rapmaster Rocket) on a date with their sweethearts Latisha and Lewanda, flying around Earth while blasting some funky beats when they accidentally destroy the planet with a black hole generator. The ship then crashes and breaks into 10 pieces which is up to the group to navigate the broken pieces of the Earth to put everything back together.
It’s hard to describe a game like ToeJam & Earl, at its core it plays like a roguelike adventure game with randomly generated levels, items and enemies thrown into the mix, yet the action comes from avoiding dangers and finding the quickest path to get all 10 pieces of the Rapmaster. In fact, I worry about making the game sound kind of boring by putting in words when in fact, the game is an absolute joy to play.
This is mainly thanks to the game’s unique style. As one of nine playable characters, each with different stats and abilities (such as Earl’s ability to eat rotten food), players will have can move around a chunk of broken the Broken Earth which is randomly generated with Earthlings which can provided either danger, annoyances or be helpful. These can range from internet trolls, Alien fans, jackhammering construction workers, hula girls, to even Gandhi, each character is cartoonish in their own right and add a bit of charm as you explore the world.
To help our friendly aliens on their journey, they’re given a variety of presents to use, each with a different effect. Like the Earthlings that you have to deal with, some are helpful, annoying to just rude. Presents are always unknown when you first pick them up, but unwrapping them will instantly use the item, helpful or harmful, and give a slight amount of XP.
The thing is, when you’re playing ToeJame and Earl: Back in the Groove, you’re really playing a modern version of the Genesis classic. This is by all means not a bad thing as it comes with a large variety of improvements such as smoother animation and better controls which makes the roguelike gameplay and the randomly generated levels more appreciated.
The game is short; as it took me around 3 hours to complete my first playthrough, but the ability to unlock new characters and couch co-op gameplay, not to mention the charm of the game, makes it easy to come back to for family game time.
ToeJam and Earl is a great kids game with plenty of charm for adults who grew up on the funky aliens to enjoy. It’s easy to pick up and play with a great multiplayer and doesn’t out stay its welcome. If you haven’t played a ToeJam and Earl game, this is definitely a great starting point, and if you’re already a fan, you’re going to love Back in the Groove.
«Just one more turn»
«Better with friends»
This game was ahead of it's time. IMO there is no other game that provides anywhere near the amount of freedom that FoM did. The feeling that you were a part of a living breathing world. You could literally just be a "citizen" if you wanted and troll around. Would you get ganked? Yes. Did you have a blast doing it? 1000x yes.
«Blew my mind»
«Liked before it became a hit»
If we take into account that I did not buy this game, but played it through a game pass subscription, then the game is not so terrible.I went through the plot and unlocked all the points except the radio stations, it was quite fun.But what I didn’t like was the strange physics of objects, and there is no auto-pushing to the cracks of objects, because of this you will fall 5 times when climbing onto any building, simply because the character does not catch on the ledge. IRRITATING.It seems that the game does not position itself as something serious, but moments are unpleasant moments (for example, killing the last boss). I did not play in the previous parts, so I just may not understand something.In general, my opinion: the game will go with beer😉
«I could make it better»
A well made short game, capable of delivering some pleasant scares! Really like it overall
This is a masterpiece, the story, the puzzles, the characters, everything is really well done.
«Blew my mind»
«Can’t stop playing»
This game hols a special place in my heart as the first Pokémon game I ever played. I played it with my brother, who had Pearl. I have so many amazing memories playing this game with him - truly a shaping experience for me.
«Sit back and relax»
I have amazing memories playing this game with my brother as a kid - although it was years ago I still remember the feeling I had back then. I loved this game.
«Sit back and relax»
This is the Pokémon game I've spent the most time with because it's the one I farmed eggs in to complete my national Pokédex. For this reason it hold a very special place in my heart. Kalos is memorable, as are the characters and story.
«Sit back and relax»
«Beaten more than once»
I'm a huge Pokémon fan, and this is my favourite in the series so far. I love the Hawaiian theme, the way the island challenges changed up from the gym system, and the new Pokémon. Once again the story and characters are memorable, and I have grown attached to them.
«Sit back and relax»
The only game to ever make me cry. Next to God of War one of the most emotional stories a game has ever told - a story that will stick with me forever.
«Blew my mind»
«That ending!»
A great, relaxing time with a Nintendo classic - just makes me smile.
«Sit back and relax»
Possibly the best Mario game Nintendo have made. Odyssey is a joy to play, and took me into a world of colour and magic - what Nintendo does best. I can't help but smile when I think about my time with this game.
«Can’t stop playing»
«Sit back and relax»
An experience that will stick with me forever. No less than one of the best games ever made, it takes you on a journey full of colourful characters that I remember fondly. The Hyrule depicted in this game is expansive and full of life, with a fully fleshed out map taking you from idyllic plains, to snowy mountaintops, to volcanic villages. I still remember every inch of this world.
«Blew my mind»
In my opinion, this offers one of the best Spider-Man stories ever told outside comics. The acting and sound design are also incredible, as well as the addictive web swinging mechanic. Although it didn't quite stand up to the rest of 2018's offering (God of War, RDR2), this game still stands out as one of the best of the year, and definitely the best Spider-Man game we've had the pleasure of playing.
«That ending!»
The world that this game creates is one I now feel extremely close to. I think back to moments in the story with nostalgia, as if they happened in reality. Over the 90 hours it took me to complete the game, I've grown so attached to the cast of characters. The feeling this game gave me is one of pure joy, and it will stick in my memory forever.
«Can’t stop playing»
As of 2018, my favourite game of all time. The story moved me in ways no other piece of media ever has, and the performances captured genuinely left me in awe. The no-cuts camera is groundbreaking and provides a relatable lens to view the story through - it makes you feel like you're on this adventure. This game moved me, and I will never forget the journey it took me on. God of War deserves to go down in history as one of the best offerings of the games industry.
«Blew my mind»
Great game, its atmosphere is very involving, the art and music are really beautiful and relaxing. A must play.
«Sit back and relax»
«That ending!»
The game has a great story, great and well-built characters, a badass protagonist, game mechanics are really good besides some bad things here and there (well, even GTA V have its).
«Underrated»
«That ending!»