Developer/Publisher: HumaNature Studios
Genre: Funky Roguelike
Platform: Nintendo Switch / Xbox One / PS4 / PC / Mac / Linux
Release Date: March 1st, 2019
Price: $19.99 / €17.49 / £15.79
TJ&E Creator Greg Johnson said:
Funded on Kickstarter in 2015, ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is a return to the cult classic roguelike series that started back on the Genesis. Funky fresh aliens ToeJam & Earl (as well as several of their friends and family) have once again crash landed on Earth, and as usual the parts of their Rapmaster Rocket Ship have been scattered across 25 floors. The goal of the game is to find the elevator on each floor to keep moving upwards while finding those ship parts. Unfortunately, crazed Earthlings are out to get you at every opportunity. From insane dentists to internet trolls, all manner of freaks and geeks will give chase the moment they lay eyes on you. What's an alien to do? Luckily for TJ&E, presents are lying around all over the place.
Collecting presents is the only way to survive. Each one has a different effect that could help or harm you. For instance, opening a Hi-Tops present gives you a pair of shoes that let you dash away from any baddies, while opening a Total Bummer present will instantly kill you. Just avoid the bad presents, right? Here's the catch - you don't know what's in a present until you open it. Presents with the same packaging will always contain the same item during any given run however, and the Wise Man in the Carrot Suit will identify your presents for a few bucks. And while the game is fun solo, ToeJam & Earl has always been best played with a buddy. Back in the Groove features four-player online co-op, as well as the classic local co-op (two-player on console, four-player on PC).
New features to the game include:
• Amped & Broken Presents - When a present is amped, its effects are made even more powerful. If a present is broken, there's a chance it will explode in your face!
• Panic on Funkotron Strikes Back - Elements from the platformer sequel like searchable trees and bushes, comically long chains of parking meters and buttons, dance-offs with fellow Funkotronians, and the beloved Hyperfunk Zone all make their debut appearance in a roguelike TJ&E game.
• Death Is Not The End - In multiplayer, losing all your lives isn't an instant game over like the old days. Instead, you'll become a ghost that can spook Earthlings, search for items, and pester your pals for one of their spare lives so you can return to the world of the living.
• New Earthlings - Men in black trying to erase your memory, obsessed fanboys seeking your autograph, and yetis desperate to poke you with a pencil are just a few of the absurd enemies who will hound you this time around. There's one particularly devious new Earthling that NOBODY EXPECTS!
• New Presents - I won't spoil them. Some are even unlockable!
• Nine Playable Characters - Best buds ToeJam and Earl are of course playable, as well as their Old-Skool selves from the original game, Lewanda and Peabo from Panic on Funkotron, Latisha and Geekjam from TJ&E III, and… Earl's Mom!?
• Unique Stats, Abilities, and Starting Presents - Each character has their own stats when it comes to things like speed or luck, as well as a passive special ability. For example, Earl can eat bad food without losing health, but Lewanda can use parking meters for free. In addition, everyone has their own set of helpful presents that they start the game with.
• Power Hats - Every time you complete the game, you'll receive a new Power Hat. On future runs, a hat will be randomly chosen from your collection on every floor, and wearing the hat will give you a special buff. For example, the Hat of Carrying will greatly increase your inventory size, while the Hat of Life will randomly heal you. There are even some Power Hats that can only be obtained by playing the ultimate challenge, Random Hard Mode. Collect them all!
• Gettin' Chatty - When playing co-op, the characters will talk to each other - and not just in the elevator. Different combinations of characters will have completely different conversations. If you beat the game a few times, ToeJam & Earl will even start to reveal a bit of backstory as you play.
• Even More? - I've heard tell of a secret ending, and a special reward if you unlock every achievement. Even I don't know what exactly they are. Who will be the first to find out?
Oh, and let's not forget the best part of TJ&E… the MUSIC! Here's just a small sample of the 30+ funky tunes on offer, which include remixes from the Genesis games alongside all-new compositions :
Q: Can I get a physical copy of the game?
A: Limited Run Games is doing a (surprise surprise) limited run for Switch and PS4, with pre-orders open until March 30th. You can find them here!
Q: Are there any version differences?
A: As mentioned above, while all versions offer four player online co-op, local co-op is limited to two player on consoles. Consoles run at 30 FPS, 60 FPS on PC. In addition, the PC version offers a fun visual gimmick not possible on the console versions where you can see the previous level beneath you when you go up a floor, as well as the ability to type out messages to other players instead of being limited to preset dialogue options.
Q: I still don't quite understand how the game plays...
A: Don't worry, the game offers a tutorial mode that teaches you the mechanics of the game much better than I can in a short OP. And remember, it's a roguelike - learning by trial and error is half the fun.
Q: Will this roguelike be too difficult to play co-op with my not-so-hardcore partner/friend/sibling/child/pet?
A: The game includes Easy-Farty and Toddler settings to make the game easier to handle for less-skilled and younger players who want to join in the fun. (Pets may be out of luck however.) With Easy-Farty on, you take less damage and it's harder to fall off the level, but you randomly stop and fart. With Toddler on, you take even less damage, it's even harder to fall off the map, you get unlimited Food and Decoy presents, and best of all… you get to wear a crown! These settings are chosen individually per player, so veteran gamers can still enjoy the game with challenge intact.
Q: Will there be post-launch content?
A: The devs have stated they want to add even more content to the game, but it has to do well first. According to them, the game needs to sell 150K copies to be a success - so if you want more TJ&E, support this game and tell your friends!
The giveaway has ENDED! You can still read the trivia questions and answers below, however!
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