Earthworm Jim

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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

Reviews

39%

Audience ScoreBased on 100 reviews

music5 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

Earthworm Jim is a classic platformer with unique charm and humor that has stood the test of time.
The game features imaginative and diverse worlds, offering a visually stunning experience.
Despite the port's issues, the core gameplay mechanics and character animations still provide moments of enjoyment.

This DOS port suffers from numerous technical issues, including audio bugs, poor controller support, and unresponsive controls.
Many levels and features from other versions are missing, making this release feel incomplete and inferior.
The overall experience is marred by frustrating gameplay mechanics and a lack of polish, leading to a disappointing nostalgia trip.

music
23 mentions
22 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its quirky tone and CD-quality sound, while others criticize it for having only a few standout tracks and relying heavily on public domain material. Many users noted issues with missing sound effects and inconsistencies in the soundtrack compared to previous versions, leading to a fragmented audio experience. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the gameplay, it falls short of expectations due to technical problems and a lack of variety.
- “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.”
- “It has CD-quality music, and the controls and gameplay were responsive when I used keyboard or joystick and I completed several challenging levels.”
- “Even the music falls apart when you realize there are only 3-4 good songs while the rest are lazily grabbed from public domain.”
- “Full of bugs, controls do not always work and the audio clips out most of the time, so you are left with just music without any sound effects.”
- “- 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
16 mentions
50 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the reviewed game is polarizing; while some users praise its tight mechanics, challenging levels, and imaginative design, others criticize it for bugs, poor controls, and broken mechanics. Despite these mixed opinions, many highlight the game's enduring charm and humor, making it a memorable experience for fans of classic platformers. Overall, the gameplay is characterized by a blend of creativity and difficulty, though it suffers from inconsistencies across different versions.
- “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.”
- “Excellent gameplay, responsive controls, outrageous humor, terrific songs and music, and fair difficulty.”
- “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
12 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Earthworm Jim" is characterized by its eccentric and zany charm, featuring bizarre characters and witty dialogue that keep players entertained throughout the game. Its offbeat humor, combined with creative level design and tight gameplay mechanics, has solidified its status as a beloved classic, appealing to both nostalgic fans and new players alike. Overall, the game's unique comedic elements contribute significantly to its memorable and enjoyable experience.
- “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
9 mentions
44 % positive mentions
22 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their vibrant colors and detailed environments, contributing to its whimsical charm. However, some users express disappointment with the quality of the port, noting issues like a forced small window and missing content that detracts from the overall visual experience. Overall, while the original graphics are fondly remembered, the current release has not met all expectations.
- “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.”
- “The graphics look better as well.”
- “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
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
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.
- “Its replay value is enhanced by the desire to uncover hidden secrets and collect power-ups throughout each level.”
- “The game offers multiple endings and branching paths, encouraging players to explore different choices and outcomes.”
- “With a variety of character builds and playstyles, each playthrough feels unique and engaging.”
stability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is heavily criticized, with users reporting severe issues such as complete desktop freezes when attempting to exit, leading to strong recommendations against purchasing.
- “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
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
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
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
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 terrible, leading to frequent frame drops and lag during gameplay.”
- “Even on high-end hardware, the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, making it nearly unplayable.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, indicating that players feel the game prioritizes profit over quality or 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.”