ToeJam & Earl

ToeJam & Earl, released on PC, Wii, PS3 and X360, is a classic roguelike game released by Sega in 1991 for the Mega Drive console. The remaster version uses the original graphic design. This version has a few minor changes that improve, e.g. the cooperation mode.

Plot

The two main characters are rapping aliens. The developers decided on a parody of an urban subculture from the early '90s and that's why ToeJam, a three-legged individual with red skin, walks with golden chains and has a baseball hat worn backward. Earl is an orange, overweight creature wearing colorful boxers and sunglasses. During their flight near the Earth, the two heroes crashed and their spaceship broke down into pieces. The player's task is to find the ten missing elements and help them return to their home planet, Funkotron.

Mechanics

The action is observed in isometric projection. During the game, we travel through randomly generated islands suspended above us. In order to get to a higher level, we have to find the right lift. We also have to face absurd opponents. These include greedy letterboxes, huge hamsters, police chickens and ghostly ice cream vans. The game is virtually devoid of violence, and the enemies are eliminated with tomatoes.

Gifts scattered around the area play an important role. We only get to know their contents after opening. Initially, as in typical roguelike games, we have to test the effects of various power-ups ourselves. Some of them can even kill a character.

Game modes

For those who love to play together, there is a cooperation mode for two players on a split-screen or online. If we play in this mode, we can listen to unique arguments between the main characters.

Technical aspects

The graphics design of ToeJam & Earl hasn't changed compared to the original - the game looks very archaic. In order to emphasize a considerable dose of humor and absurdity, the artists used slightly gloomy colors and sloppy fonts.

Last updated on 12 October 2012