Two mini-games mix up the routine with a dash of rhythm-matching and a reflex-based trip to the Hyper Funk Zone.
Avoiding death isn’t difficult in the early levels, but frequent extra lives help manage fast-moving mobs of Earthlings in Earth’s upper altitudes. Each of the nine unlockable characters has a unique special ability, such as Earl’s willingness to eat spoiled food and ToeJam’s more efficient use of speed-boosting presents. Present contents, level-up stats, and (on higher difficulty levels) map layouts are random. Some Earls just like to watch the world burn.īack in the Groove‘s action roguelike pedigree is solid. Presents, which are unlabeled until identified, provide temporary power-ups like a destructive tomato rain, uncontrollable rocket skates, and a boombox that forces enemies to bust a move. Avoiding these pesky Earthlings requires a little stealth, help from friendly Earthlings like a mercenary opera Valkyrie, and a pile of helpful presents. Each level is populated by dangerous Earthlings like grawlix-chucking Internet trolls and ice cream trucks that only serve rotten cabbage. To return home, they must travel the planet’s floating sky islands and locate the missing pieces of their Rapmaster Rocketship. Unlike previous entries in the series, they’ve also brought their friends Latisha and Lewanda. Once again, alien rappers ToeJam and Earl crash land on Earth. Back in the Groove can be completed in a single evening subsequent playthroughs extend the experience, but feel like a pancake-eating contest where the prize is more pancakes.īack in the Groove‘s story isn’t deep, but it sets up the silly character interactions that drive much of the game’s humor.
The funky atmosphere, spoofs, and goofs are fun for a brief jaunt with friends, but don’t anticipate sinking too many hours into this one.
It’s great to see Big Earl and the gang in their new threads, but the familiarity of their journey quickly becomes repetitive. Although it was built from the ground up, Back in the Groove feels like a familiar classic enhanced by extra features. Although much of the experience is a familiar present-grabbin’, Earthling-avoiding romp, it also benefits from modern amenities like online co-op, a save system, unlockable characters, and collectible hats. Not! Nevertheless, it provokes deep questions like, “Where’s the line between a remake and a new gaming experience?”, “How much does a fan favorite from 1991 need to change to appeal to a modern audience?”, and “ToeJam, did you drink my root beer?” Thanks to the magic of Kickstarter, HumaNature Studios has rebuilt the Sega Genesis title ToeJam & Earl with futuristic retro graphics, a jammin’ new soundtrack, and tight controls. ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is a serious game for serious gamers.
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