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Earthworm Jim 2

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Earthworm Jim 2
Developer(s)Shiny Entertainment
Screaming Pink (Sega Saturn, PlayStation)
Designer(s)David Perry
Doug TenNapel
Artist(s)Nick Bruty
Composer(s)Tommy Tallarico
SeriesEarthworm Jim
Platform(s)Sega Mega Drive, Super NES, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, MS-DOS, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console, Windows, PC
Release'Sega Mega Drive/Genesis:
SNES:
MS-DOS (PC):
April 30, 1996
Sega Saturn:
Sony PlayStation:
Game Boy Advance:
Virtual Console
Windows (GOG.com)'Steam
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single Player

Earthworm Jim 2 is a run and gun platform video game starring an earthworm named Jim in a robotic suit who battles evil. It is a sequel to the original Earthworm Jim, and the second and final game in the 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, before being ported to many other consoles.[3][4]

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, and defeat the game's numerous enemies, namely Psy-Crow.[5] However, gameplay is much more diverse than in the first Earthworm Jim. While the majority of levels are still based on run and gun and platformer game elements, separate levels incorporate different gameplay elements as well.[6] 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 moves at the players disposal.[7] For instance, there are more types of guns to use once found in a level, such as an auto-aiming gun, or the "brick-wall" gun which takes out every enemy visible on the screen.[7] Additionally, Jim's friend "Snot" travels with him, and can be used to stick and swing to other slimy green surfaces, or as a parachute, upon jumping.[7]

Other levels stray much farther from this formula. In the third level, "The Villi People," the player must guide Jim, defenseless in the disguise of a blind cave salamander, through intestinal passages, while avoiding exploding sheep and hazards embedded in the floor and walls.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8] Yet another plays as a 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.[6] The last level of the game 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.[7] The game ends with Jim saving the Princess, but all three characters eventually turning randomly into cows.[7]

Versions and releases

The game, much like the first, was developed for the Sega Genesis and then ported over to the Super Nintendo.[7] They released virtually simultaneously, and were largely the same game, the only difference being that the Super Nintendo version had alternate background art.[7] A computer version for MS-DOS was later released, which featured an upgraded redbook audio music soundrack,more voice clips, and smoothed-over graphics, but lacked the "Lorenzen's Soil" level.[7] Versions for the original Playstation, and Sega Saturn were also released, which contained the upgraded audio and all of the levels from the original.[7] Both of these versions were identical, and contained background art and graphical differences separate from any other versions of the game.[7]

Many years later, it would be ported to a newer generation of systems as well. A Gameboy Advance port, based off the Super Nintendo release, was released in 2002.[7] It has been widely criticised for poor graphics, bad sound and music, and very glitchy gameplay.[7] The Sega Genesis version was later released for download on the Wii via the Virtual Console in 2009 as well.[6]

Reception

Reception for the game was very positive. Sources such as IGN and Gamezone would declare it as better overall than the original,[9][10] which was also very well received. Destructoid praised the game's humor, innovative gameplay, and "mini-game" style levels spread throughout the game were also held in high regard as a welcome change from the linear gameplay common at the time.[11] NintendoLife gave the game a 7 out of 10, due to mixed reactions on various different gameplay mechanics.[6]

While the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo 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.[12]

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 gave the port 4/10, stating 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".[13] Gamespot felt similarly, gaving the GBA port a 2.0, and calling it "unplayable".[14]

Legacy

The Earthworm Jim series would receive future sequels, mainly Earthworm Jim 3D and Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy, but they would be developed with completely different developers, contain vastly different gameplay and style, and receive generally negative reception.[15]

References

  1. ^ "11 New Downloads Blast Their Way to Nintendo Systems". Nintendo of America. 14 December 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  2. ^ "Cows Will Launch on the Virtual Console This Year". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
  3. ^ "Earthworm Jim 2 for GEN - Earthworm Jim 2 Genesis - Earthworm Jim 2 GEN Game". Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  4. ^ Williamson, Colin. "Earthworm Jim 2 - Overview - allgame". Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  5. ^ http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/13740/reviewsearthworm-jim-2-review/
  6. ^ a b c d e http://vc.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/12/earthworm_jim_2_virtual_console
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m http://hardcoregaming101.net/earthwormjim/earthwormjim2.htm
  8. ^ Marriott, Scott Alan. "Earthworm Jim 2 - Review - allgame". Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  9. ^ http://www.gamezone.com/news/earthworm_jim_sega_genesis_super_nintendo_entertainment_system
  10. ^ http://wii.ign.com/articles/924/924151p1.html
  11. ^ Burch, Anthony (2007-08-29). "Destructoid - Games time forgot: Earthworm Jim 2". Retrieved 2010-04-29.
  12. ^ Fulljames, Stephen (2004-06-27). "Review: Earthworm Jim 2 Review - ComputerAndVideoGames.com". Retrieved 2010-04-29.
  13. ^ Harris, Craig (2002-06-18). "Earthworm Jim 2 - Game Boy Advance Review at IGN". Retrieved 2010-04-29.
  14. ^ http://www.gamespot.com/earthworm-jim-2/reviews/earthworm-jim-2-review-2873121/
  15. ^ "Earthworm Jim 3D - N64". GameRankings. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
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