Earthworm Jim

About

In Earthworm Jim, players control an earthworm who ends up in an indestructible super-space-cyber-suit. Jim must navigate through various levels, battling enemies and bosses, while on a mission to save Princess What's-Her-Name from Queen Slug-For-A-Butt. Along the way, Jim must avoid Psy-Crow, an intergalactic bounty hunter, and collect power-ups to help him on his journey.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

42%

Audience ScoreBased on 112 reviews

music6 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

Earthworm Jim is a classic game with unique charm and humor that has stood the test of time.
The game features imaginative and diverse worlds, offering a variety of visually stunning settings.
Despite the port's issues, the core gameplay remains challenging and engaging for fans of platformers.

This port suffers from numerous technical issues, including audio bugs, poor controller support, and unresponsive controls.
Many levels and sound effects from the original versions are missing, making this a disappointing experience for fans.
The game is poorly optimized for modern systems, running in a small window and lacking fullscreen support.

music
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
64%
12%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its quirky tone and CD-quality sound, while others criticize the limited number of memorable tracks and the reliance on public domain songs. Many users note issues with sound effects being absent or glitchy, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, it suffers from inconsistencies and missing elements compared to previous versions.
- “While Earthworm Jim's soundtrack may not be as memorable as its visuals and gameplay, it still adds to the overall experience.”
- “The music fits the game's quirky tone, and the sound effects complement the on-screen actions effectively.”
- “The music is also done really well.”
- “Even the music falls apart when you realize there are only 3-4 good songs while the rest are lazily grabbed from public domain.”
- “But the port is broken and some of the soundtracks are missing, along with all of the sound effects from Earthworm Jim 2!”
- “- Horribly cut compared to the Sega and NES versions - music and levels are missing, and there is no info about that on the Steam page.”
gameplay
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
29%
18%
The gameplay of the reviewed game is polarizing; while some users praise its challenging mechanics, tight controls, and imaginative level design, others criticize it for bugs, broken mechanics, and poor physics. Overall, it is noted for its unique charm and humor, making it a memorable experience for fans of classic platformers, despite some technical shortcomings.
- “Developed by Shiny Entertainment, this side-scrolling platformer combines offbeat humor, creative level design, and tight gameplay mechanics to deliver a memorable and entertaining experience.”
- “Be prepared for tricky jumps, demanding boss battles, and unique gameplay mechanics that keep you on your toes.”
- “Even after all these years, Earthworm Jim's charm and gameplay have stood the test of time.”
- “Find the Genesis ROM and play that one; this is just pathetic. Bugs, broken gameplay mechanics, and bad physics make this the worst version of Earthworm Jim.”
- “However, here the controls are a bit wonky, and the gameplay is kind of poor.”
- “Nothing more than a DOS emulator that has gameplay and levels missing.”
humor
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Earthworm Jim" is characterized by its eccentric and zany style, featuring bizarre characters and surreal scenarios that keep players entertained throughout their journey. The witty writing and quirky animations contribute to a memorable experience, making it a beloved classic that appeals to both nostalgic fans and new players seeking a fun and humorous gaming adventure. Overall, the game's offbeat charm and engaging gameplay create a delightful blend of challenge and laughter.
- “Earthworm Jim is renowned for its eccentric and zany humor, which permeates every aspect of the game.”
- “From the bizarre characters, like the iconic cow-launching professor monkey-for-a-head, to the humorous dialogue and surreal scenarios, the game constantly keeps you entertained with its offbeat charm.”
- “The witty writing and quirky animations make each level a delight to explore, ensuring that you'll be chuckling throughout your entire playthrough.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
Overall, the graphics of the game are praised for their vibrant colors, detailed environments, and whimsical art style, contributing significantly to its charm. However, some users express disappointment with the quality of the port, noting issues like a forced small window and missing content, which detracts from the original experience. Despite these criticisms, many agree that the graphics and animations are visually appealing and run smoothly.
- “The attention to detail in the environments and the whimsical art style add depth to the game's overall charm.”
- “+ graphics are amazing, very colorful, levels are in great detail.”
- “Game runs surprisingly smooth and fluid, controls are easy and responsive, graphics and animations look great.”
- “However, this release is not the best way to experience it: a DOSBoxed DOS version with a forced tiny window, poor graphics, and several missing levels.”
- “This game is a graphic acid trip.”
- “Graphics: 5”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
200%
300%
The game's replayability is significantly boosted by the opportunity to discover hidden secrets and collect power-ups in each level, encouraging players to revisit and explore further.
- “Each playthrough offers new challenges and experiences, making it hard to put down.”
- “The variety of character builds and strategies keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting every time.”
- “Its replay value is enhanced by the desire to uncover hidden secrets and collect power-ups throughout each level.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and branching paths makes replaying the game feel redundant.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The stability of the game is heavily criticized, with users reporting frequent freezes that can lock up the entire desktop, leading to strong recommendations against purchasing it.
- “Would not recommend purchasing; it freezes up the entire desktop when trying to exit. Enough said.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
- “I experienced constant lag and random shutdowns, which ruined the overall experience.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story has received a positive reception, with users rating it a 4 out of 5. Reviewers appreciate its engaging narrative and well-developed characters, which contribute to an immersive experience. Overall, the storyline is seen as a strong point of the game.
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's optimization is criticized for inadequate controller support and requires running in a 16-bit PowerShell window to avoid significant stuttering issues.
- “Poor controller support; I must run the game in a 16-bit PowerShell window, or else I face severe stuttering.”
- “The optimization is so bad that even high-end PCs struggle to maintain a stable frame rate.”
- “Frequent crashes and long loading times make the game nearly unplayable without proper optimization.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is largely viewed negatively, with users expressing frustration and disappointment, particularly regarding the Steam version, which they feel detracts from the overall experience.
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization strategy has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, indicating that players feel the game prioritizes profit over player experience.
- “This was nothing but a cash grab.”
- “The monetization system feels exploitative and unfair.”
- “I can't enjoy the game without being bombarded by ads and in-app purchases.”