ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 840 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • graphics
ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove Game Cover
ToeJam, Earl, and the rest of the gang come back to Earth with style.
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ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is a funky fresh remake of the classic 90s game. Play as one of two alien rappers on a mission to collect pieces of their spaceship after crash landing on Earth. Explore randomly generated levels, avoid hazards, and interact with eccentric Earthlings in this humor-filled adventure.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 840 reviews
music89 positive mentions
stability17 negative mentions
  • Faithful recreation of the original game with updated graphics and sound.
  • Fun multiplayer experience, both locally and online, enhancing the gameplay.
  • Retains the quirky humor and charm of the original while adding new characters and mechanics.
  • Riddled with bugs and performance issues, especially in online multiplayer.
  • Some players find the game too easy and lacking challenge compared to the original.
  • Graphics and art style may not appeal to everyone, feeling less polished than expected.
  • music164 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its funky and nostalgic soundtrack, which successfully updates classic tunes while introducing new tracks that maintain the original's vibe. Many players appreciate the game's ability to create a relaxing atmosphere with its catchy beats, although some express disappointment that it doesn't fully replicate the iconic sound of the original. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, enhancing the gameplay experience and evoking fond memories for fans of the series.

    • “The iconic soundtrack gets a similar bump-up, keeping the classic tunes while adding some new funky jams.”
    • “The music is phenomenal, and you can play for hours!”
    • “The whole aesthetic is here: great soundtrack, rad art and a roguelike/roguelite starting point that hopefully spawns a new gen of tj&e kids.”
    • “The main thing that bothers me is the music is not the same at all; it feels like it's just too hard to be funky instead of just giving us a remastered or updated soundtrack from the original game.”
    • “Not having the original soundtracks in this game is such a missed opportunity.”
    • “The music is largely updates of the older tunes, but it's not as groovy as the first one music-wise.”
  • gameplay144 mentions

    The gameplay of "Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove" is a nostalgic homage to the original, featuring similar exploration mechanics, random level generation, and a focus on avoiding hazards rather than direct combat. While many players appreciate the updated graphics and new gameplay elements, some criticize the clunky mechanics and punishing difficulty, particularly in harder modes. Overall, the game successfully blends classic elements with fresh additions, making it enjoyable for both returning fans and newcomers, though it may feel dated to some.

    • “Retains the original's core gameplay: explore randomly generated levels, avoid hazards, and collect mysterious presents (some helpful, some hilarious).”
    • “It's a sequel with the gameplay style of the first game, with some elements of the other games thrown in for good measure (hyperfunk zone, rhythm games, shaking trees, houses, etc.) and some new additions on top, like the XP/stats system, unlockable power hats, more presents, earthlings, characters, etc.”
    • “The gameplay is almost identical to the original but there are a few little additions to the formula to spice things up a bit.”
    • “All the gameplay mechanics are omega clunky and the game feels super unclear, aimless, and unfair.”
    • “As for other gameplay concerns, hard mode and I assume extreme mode as well, the beginning when you have no stats and barely any presents, the game is hard as hell to the point you probably won't make it past floor 3 unless you really take your time and play really slowly.”
    • “The gameplay feels really dated now.”
  • graphics119 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the vibrant, cartoony cel-shaded style that evokes a nostalgic 90s aesthetic, while others criticize the simplistic 2D visuals and lack of detail compared to the original titles. Many users noted that the updated graphics feel like a downgrade in some aspects, yet the overall presentation, including the soundtrack, is often praised for enhancing the gameplay experience. Despite the visual shortcomings, the game's charm and fun mechanics seem to resonate well with fans of the original series.

    • “The bright vibrant art style and cartoony effects really stand out in HD and give the game a flavor all of its own, and returning is probably one of the most important features of a Toejam and Earl game: the killer soundtrack, including a modern remix of the iconic theme tune. The audio-visual elements of this game are a feast for the senses.”
    • “An excellent re-imagining of the first game, super funky slap bass soundtrack, really smooth control, great chunky bold cartoon graphics. I dare say so far it's easier than the original, but I'm entirely happy with how the game turned out.”
    • “The graphics are lovely and remind me of 'Don't Starve'.”
    • “While there are options to change the resolution for the game, all this does is scale up the simplistic 2D art assets used to make the game, which makes little or no difference to the graphics quality.”
    • “Without any other substantial graphics tweaks, it's not possible for gamers to improve the lacklustre 2D visuals.”
    • “The graphics look okay, but it feels like a phone game, not a completed computer title.”
  • humor45 mentions

    The humor in "Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove" is widely praised for its quirky, 90s-inspired charm, featuring absurd characters, funny situations, and a funky soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While many players find the humor delightful and entertaining, some note that it can become repetitive after multiple playthroughs. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy casual, humorous exploration and co-op gameplay.

    • “There's no pressure to rush; you can explore at your own pace, unwind to the funky soundtrack, and enjoy the wacky humor.”
    • “The world is so goofy and zany, and everything has these fine touches of humor that makes the game a joy to play.”
    • “It's funny, it's imaginative, and the characters are fun and likable.”
  • replayability36 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its variety of playable characters, unlockable items, and randomized levels, which ensure that no two playthroughs are the same. Players appreciate the nostalgic charm and cooperative modes that enhance the experience, while upcoming updates promise to further extend its replay value. However, some critics note that it may feel simplistic compared to modern roguelikes, potentially limiting its appeal for those seeking deeper gameplay.

    • “There's all of the old characters and some good new additions like new evil earthlings or new playable characters to add to the replay value.”
    • “The addition of stats, hats, and unlockable presents adds depth and replayability without sacrificing the feel of the game.”
    • “You'll never play the same game twice and multiplayer gives it infinite replayability.”
    • “If you're looking for a challenging roguelike with hundreds of hours of replayability, this is not it.”
    • “Now, the drawback I mentioned is that for modern standards of roguelikes, the game feels too simplistic with very little replay value.”
    • “It's a bit too easy and does not have a lot of replay value.”
  • stability18 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs and glitches that affect both single-player and multiplayer experiences. Issues range from characters disappearing and getting stuck to problems with video cutscenes and online co-op functionality. While some players find the glitches amusing and manageable, others feel they significantly detract from the overall enjoyment and completion of the game.

    • “The game ran smoothly without any major issues on my end.”
    • “I experienced very few bugs, making for a stable gaming experience.”
    • “Overall, the stability of the game was impressive, allowing me to enjoy it without interruptions.”
    • “The multiplayer was extremely buggy, from rooms being invisible to friends to characters randomly disappearing to characters just randomly getting irreparably stuck, etc.”
    • “Great game, highly recommend. However, beware of the online co-op glitch: if you get a swap player present and you don't have online split-screen on, you will enter into a broken state of the game with no music or sounds. When you switch back, everything works out, but the other player will remain broken even after rebooting the level. So, while it's still a good game, be cautious of the glitches; that one is pretty major.”
    • “Once you look past the nostalgia, though, it's kind of a disappointing buggy mess.”
  • story15 mentions

    The game's story is a mix of nostalgia and new elements, primarily revolving around the classic premise of Toejam and Earl trying to collect spaceship parts after a crash on Earth. While it retains connections to previous titles, the narrative feels underdeveloped and repetitive, lacking depth and proper level design, which detracts from the overall experience. Players express a desire for more substantial content and a richer storyline, as the current plot is perceived as too brief and simplistic.

    • “Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
    • “So as far as the classic story goes, Toejam & Earl are aliens and then their spaceship gets hit by an asteroid, so they crash into Earth and your goal is trying to collect the spaceship parts that've gotten scattered throughout different levels, so they can eventually return home.”
    • “The story isn't something that specifically requires you to play past games -- there are connections to Panic on Funkotron and Toejam & Earl 3, but nothing requires you to play those games to understand what's going on here.”
    • “The game features no proper level design or game/story flow/plot, as they opted to try to use samey repetitive procedural generation algorithms as a substitute for adding such content to the game, to avoid doing the important job of level/map design.”
    • “If you have played the original then you know exactly what to expect; there isn't much new other than enhanced graphics and some story.”
    • “World is incredibly small; you explore a plot of land for 2 minutes and you are basically done with a level.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly during the early stages and after completing all modes. While some appreciate the logical upgrades that streamline item discovery, the overall experience can become monotonous due to lengthy loading times, unskippable logos, and the necessity to interact with numerous environmental elements to uncover hidden items.

    • “I just found it a bit tedious after a couple of hours.”
    • “However, the experience soon became tedious.”
    • “It is tedious and repetitive with a bunch of enemies who just chase you around and suck all of the fun out of it.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and cute aesthetic, evoking a sense of nostalgia and belonging that players find delightful. While the experience is enjoyable and filled with humor, some users feel it lacks longevity, leading to a mixed desire for replayability. Overall, the game's funky charm and lightheartedness create a positive emotional impact, though it may not sustain long-term engagement.

    • “It made me feel like I never wanted to leave, that this is where I needed to be.”
    • “It's humorous and wholesome and so damned funky.”
    • “Lots of silly humor and an infectiously wholesome aesthetic make this funkotronian trip back to the 90s a true delight.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a nostalgic and vibrant blend of trippy visuals and remixed music from the original titles, successfully evoking memories of past gaming experiences. It offers a chaotic yet enjoyable environment, especially in co-op mode, which enhances the overall experience and resonates well with long-time fans.

    • “This remaking, retelling, rejuvenation of a wonderful atmosphere after decades of dormancy gave me hope.”
    • “This one captures the atmosphere of the original perfectly.”
    • “The game has a very trippy atmosphere to it, and the music is taken straight from the older games and remixed, which a lot of fans would appreciate.”
    • “Nevertheless, the game is great casually alone and with friends as the co-op creates a much more chaotic atmosphere, much in line with the series.”
    • “And this atmosphere so easily recalls those times when my friends and I went through this game, sitting on the old sofa, not thinking about anything but the next level.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the optimization for the game on PC is generally positive, with users noting better performance and more frequent updates compared to other platforms. However, some minor hiccups in level loading and saving have been reported, indicating room for improvement.

    • “I've sunk more hours on another platform, but PC is the way to go thanks to better performance and more frequent updates.”
    • “Performance has some minor hiccups, mostly in level loads and saves.”
    • “Minor performance gripe.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The reviews do not provide specific insights into the monetization aspect of the game, focusing instead on personal experiences and nostalgia related to the Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) and its advertising.

  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is enhanced through hidden alternate endings and side dialogues, which offer players deeper insights into the characters' backgrounds and motivations.

    • “The hidden alternate endings and side dialogues provide significant character development.”
    • “I love how the side dialogues reveal deeper layers of the characters.”
    • “The character development is enhanced by the various choices that lead to different outcomes.”
    • “The hidden alternate endings and side dialogues provide some character development, but they feel too sparse to make a significant impact.”
    • “While there are moments of character development, they often feel overshadowed by the main storyline.”
    • “The character development is lacking depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on a meaningful level.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

Buy ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove

Play time

40hMedian play time
40hAverage play time
40-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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