Review: ToeJam and Earl back in the Groove (PlayStation 4)

ToeJam and Earl have crash-landed back on Earth in ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove!, a funky fresh roguelike adventure infused with old skool hip-hop and jam-packed with awesome throwbacks to the 1991 classic. Original Funk Lord (and co-creator) Greg Johnson is back at the helm with the sequel that ToeJam and Earl fans have been waiting for!

Pros:

• Crisp cartoon graphics.
• 3.38GB Download size.
• Platinum trophy.
• Four game worlds- tutorial world, random world, fixed world, and hard world.
• Goal- collect all 10 ship pieces to fly away!
• Five save slots.
• Presents- found randomly in-game presents can give good or bad actions/effects.
• Food sometimes heals you.
• The 90s are back baby! From the gameplay to the colors to the soundtrack.
• Adventure gameplay.
• Mini-games are aplenty from a runner to a rhythm action game.
• Invisible pathways to find.
• Shake trees/houses for hidden items.
• Hyperfunk zone- a frequent mini-game opportunity where e you avoid gates and the exit and collect music notes.
• Power hats- grant timed powers.
• Splitscreen support with dynamic and fixed view perspectives.
• Easy enough to learn controls.
• Humans- good and bad and give missions or offer bonus tasks.
• Clear goals.
• Very nostalgic.
• Four characters with unlockable variants.
• Online/local co op play.
• 3 difficulties- normal/easy farter/toddler.
• Can change settings in-game.
• Save and continue and save and quit option.
• Radar- scans the surrounding area for secrets.
• Shady guy- trade items.
• Coins- in the game and used to buy from various vendors.
• So many presents like rocket skates, high jumps, invisibility, neon sign saying where you are, weapons.
• Map uncovers as you play.
• Still holds up.

Cons:

• Not very fast loading times.
• The tutorial is lazy with tutorial tips dropping at a slow and seemingly random interval.
• Not always sure what is going on.
• Screen tearing happens often.
• Music is very repetitive.
• Movement can be awkward.
• No way to stop a presents effect.
• 90s humor does wear thin especially the jokes and music.
• The view can be obstructive.
• Game loads when you go up a level but not when you go down.
• Annoying enemy types.
• The tutorial world just ends abruptly.
• Never sure on the enemies range.
• Having the right item to get somewhere or something is all RNG.