Earthworm Jim 2

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Earthworm Jim 2
Developer(s)
  • Screaming Pink (Saturn, PlayStation)
    Rainbow Arts (MS-DOS)
    SuperEmpire (GBA)
Earthworm Jim
EngineAnimotion
Platform(s)Genesis, SNES, Saturn, MS-DOS, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, Windows, MacOS, Linux, Wii
Release
November 15, 1995
  • Genesis/Mega Drive
    • EU: December 22, 1995
    SNES
    • EU: January 25, 1996
    Saturn
    MS-DOS
    PlayStation
    • EU: November 1996
    Game Boy Advance
    • NA: June 5, 2002[7]
    • EU: November 29, 2002
    GOG.com
    • WW: October 7, 2008
    Wii Virtual Console
    • PAL: December 4, 2009[10]
    • NA: December 14, 2009[9]
Steam
  • WW: November 4, 2009
Nintendo Switch Online
  • WW: March 31, 2022
Platform
Mode(s)Single-player

Earthworm Jim 2 is a 1995

Earthworm Jim series developed by original creators Doug TenNapel, David Perry and Shiny Entertainment. It was released in late 1995 and early 1996 depending on region and video game console, initially being released for the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System, before being ported to other platforms.[12][13]

Gameplay

Snott slowing Jim's descent

The purpose of the game is largely the same as it was in the original Earthworm Jim; traverse through the levels in order to save Princess What's-Her-Name from Psy-Crow.[14] However, gameplay is much more diverse than in the original game.

While the majority of levels are still based on

platform game elements, separate levels incorporate different gameplay elements as well.[15] Some levels, such as the opening level, "Anything but Tangerines", and the game's eighth level, "Level Ate", play largely the same as the original Earthworm Jim, with the exception of there being a larger variety of moves at the player's disposal.[16] For instance, there are more types of guns to use once found in a level, such as an auto-aiming gun, or the "Barn Blaster" gun which takes out every enemy visible on the screen.[16] New power-ups include the chip butty, which increases Jim's suit power to 200%.[17] Additionally, Jim's friend, Snott, travels with him and can be used to stick to and swing from other slimy green surfaces or as a parachute upon jumping.[16]

Other levels stray much farther from this formula. In the third level, "Villi People", the player must guide Jim, in the disguise of a blind cave salamander, through intestinal passages, while avoiding exploding sheep and hazards embedded in the floors and walls.[15] The latter part of the level suddenly switches to a game show/trivia format, where the player has to answer nonsensical multiple choice questions that commonly have no logically correct answer.[16] Another level, aptly titled "Inflated Head", has Jim's head inflated much like a balloon, and the player must control Jim as he floats upward, avoiding touching sharp objects which cause him to fall back down to the start of the level, all the while dodging Evil the Cat's attacks.[18]

Yet another, "The Flyin' King", plays as an isometric shooter, with Jim again on his "pocket rocket", where a balloon with a bomb must be directed to the end of the level, and defended from enemies, in order to defeat Major Mucus.[15] The last level of the game, "See Jim Run Run Jim Run", is not a typical boss fight, but rather, a race against Psy-Crow through an obstacle course to get to Princess What's-Her-Name.[16] The game ends with Jim saving the Princess, but all three characters eventually turning randomly into cows.[16]

Versions and releases

The game, much like the first, was developed for the

CD-DA music soundtrack, more voice clips and redrawn graphics, but lacked the "Lorenzen's Soil" level.[16] Versions for the Sega Saturn and PlayStation (both developed by a separate studio, Screaming Pink, Inc.) were also released, which contained the upgraded audio and all of the levels from the original.[16] Both of these versions were identical, and contained background art and graphical differences separate from any other versions of the game.[16] On a 1994 conference held on CompuServe with Shiny Entertainment prior to its release, David Perry stated that they were considering making a version of the game for the Atari Jaguar, which never came to fruition.[19]

Many years later, it was ported to a newer generation of systems. A Game Boy Advance port, developed by Russian studio SuperEmpire Inc, based on the Super NES release, was released in 2002.[16] It has been widely criticized for poor graphics, bad sound and music, and very glitchy gameplay.[16] The Genesis version was later released for download on the Wii via the Virtual Console in 2009, as well.[15] The MS-DOS version was re-released through DOSbox emulation on GOG.com and Steam. The Super NES version was re-released on the Nintendo Switch Online Service in March 2022.

Reception

Reception for the game was very positive. Sources such as

Sega Magazine) gave the Genesis version a 94%, citing the variety of gameplay styles with "every one, in every way, sickeningly well implemented."[37]

While the Genesis and Super NES versions were generally held in high regard, some of the other versions were more poorly received. The PlayStation port, which contained the same content as the original releases, received a poor review 3/10 score from Computer and Video Games, due to there being no significant improvements, despite the obviously more powerful hardware of the PlayStation.[23] Similarly, The Sega Saturn version, though generally well received, also received similar criticism, withSega Saturn Magazine describing Earthworm Jim 2 as an excellent game, but derided the lack of advancements in the Saturn version, and summarized it as "a great game – a year ago. On a different console."[38] A Next Generation critic was more forgiving of the lack of major enhancements, contending that "the title is amazingly fun even on a machine designed for 3D gaming", though he acknowledged that those who had already played the Genesis or Super NES version would have no reason to play the game again on the Saturn.[29] GamePro's Major Mike disagreed, contending that changes such as the new backgrounds, remixed music, and loading screens make the game feel fresh and new.[44]

The 2002 Game Boy Advance release was panned by critics as well, but this time due to the game having an "unfinished" game engine, glitched graphics, and an unpredictable save system. IGN stated that "the action tends to slow down in the most unlikely locations ...and the gameplay's inconsistent...load a game where you instantly die for no apparent reason".[26] GameSpot felt similarly, calling it "unplayable".[25] GameSpot nominated Earthworm Jim 2 for its 2002 "Most Disappointing Game on Game Boy Advance" and "Worst Game on Game Boy Advance" awards.[45] Reviewing the Virtual Console release of the Genesis version, Marcel van Duyn of Nintendo Life had mixed reactions on various different gameplay mechanics.[15]

Accolades

Earthworm Jim 2 was nominated for the

Donkey Kong Country 2.[47] In 1996, GamesMaster ranked the Mega Drive version second in their "The GamesMaster Mega Drive Top 10."[48] In 1998, Saturn Power listed the Saturn version 90th in their Top 100 Sega Saturn Games.[49] IGN rated the game 40th on its "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time." They praised the Snott dynamic that it added a lot to the gameplay experience.[50]

Sequels

The Earthworm Jim series had future sequels, including Earthworm Jim 3D and Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy. They were developed by different developers, with vastly different gameplay and styles, and received generally negative reception.[51]

References

  1. ^ a b "Press release: 1995-11-13: GET READY FOR EARTHWORM WEDNESDAY". Sega Retro. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b "アースワームジム２ - セガ Wii(R) バーチャルコンソール公式サイト". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
  3. ^ "Earthworm Jim 2 for Saturn and Playstation". 1997-06-06. Archived from the original on 1997-06-06. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  4. ^ "Mean Machines Sega #50 pg. 71". Sega Retro. December 1996. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  5. ^ "Earthworm Jim 2 Box Shot for Saturn - GameFAQs". Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
  6. ^ "Earthworm Jim International Releases". Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
  7. ^ "Majesco Ships Earthworm Jim 2 for GBA - News". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  8. ^ "Wii | Virtual Console バーチャルコンソール". Archived from the original on 2018-03-06.
  9. ^ "11 New Downloads Blast Their Way to Nintendo Systems". Nintendo of America. 14 December 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-12-17. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  10. ^ "Cows Will Launch on the Virtual Console This Year". IGN. Archived from the original on 2008-04-24. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
  11. ^ Earthworm Jim Anthology (Media notes). Tommy Tallarico Records. 21 September 2006.
  12. ^ "Earthworm Jim 2 for GEN - Earthworm Jim 2 Genesis - Earthworm Jim 2 GEN Game". Archived from the original on 2010-07-07. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  13. ^ Williamson, Colin. "Earthworm Jim 2 - Overview - allgame". Archived from the original on 2010-02-09. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  14. ^ "Nintendo Review: Earthworm Jim 2". Official Nintendo Magazine. Archived from the original on 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2012-07-30.
  15. ^ a b c d e f "Earthworm Jim 2 (Wii Virtual Console / Mega Drive) Review - Nintendo Life". Vc.nintendolife.com. 2009-12-04. Archived from the original on 2011-12-22. Retrieved 2012-07-30.
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  17. ^ Earthworm Jim 2 instruction manual, p. 5
  18. Allgame. Archived from the original
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  24. ^ a b "Review Crew: Earthworm Jim 2". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 76. Sendai Publishing. November 1995. p. 42.
  25. ^ a b "Earthworm Jim 2 Review". GameSpot.com. 2002-07-01. Archived from the original on 2012-08-18. Retrieved 2012-07-30.
  26. ^ a b Harris, Craig (2002-06-18). "Earthworm Jim 2 - Game Boy Advance Review at IGN". Archived from the original on 2006-07-15. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
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  31. ^ Ahmad, Asam (October 1996). "Earthworm Jim 2". Play. No. 12. p. 67. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  32. ^ Andy (December 1995). "Earthworm Jim 2". Total!. No. 48. pp. 32–35. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  33. ^ Mathias, Lord (March 1996). "Earthworm Jim 2". Super GamePower (in Portuguese). pp. 58–64. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  34. ^ Davies, Jonathan (January 1996). "Earthworm Jim 2". Super Play. No. 39. pp. 38–41. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
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  40. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. "Earthworm Jim Review - Wii Review at IGN". Wii.ign.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2012-07-30.
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  43. ^ "ProReview: Earthworm Jim 2". GamePro. No. 87. IDG. December 1995. pp. 96–97.
  44. ^ "ProReview: Earthworm Jim 2". GamePro. No. 92. IDG. May 1996. pp. 62–63.
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  46. ^ "News Bits". GamePro. No. 96. IDG. September 1996. p. 21.
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  50. ^ Top 100 SNES Games of All Time - IGN.com, retrieved 2022-09-04
  51. ^ "Earthworm Jim 3D - N64". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 2009-01-11. Retrieved 2008-04-23.

External links

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