Earthworm Jim 3D

Description

Earthworm Jim 3D is the third installment of the popular action game series, released in 1999 for the Nintendo 64 console. In this review, we'll take a look at how this transition to 3D was successful and how the game stands up to its predecessors.

The game's story once again revolves around a shuffling tuber named Earthworm Jim who is trying to save the kingdom of Prasinekrania from the evil Queen Pulsating, Bloated, Festering, Sweaty, Half-Filled, Malformed, Slug for a Butt (no, that's not a typo, that's her real name). The game begins when Jim embarks on a quest to rescue a princess who has been kidnapped. The story is classically wacky and full of absurd situations that are typical of the series, though it's hard to confirm the plot too thoroughly in principle.

The graphics in this game are very nice by Nintendo 64 standards. There are colourful environments with nice designs that are reminiscent of the comic book world. The game controls are also quite hilarious, although you can't do without a full-fledged controller with analog sticks, as the classic N64 button controllers are too demanding for this title. The gameplay is also very good, with the game alternating between 2D and 3D sections, which adds some much needed variety.

One of the main problems with this game, however, is the frustrating camera. In some sections it's almost unbearable to determine where to jump or slip, as the camera is often opaque and you can't control it. This shortcoming greatly hinders gameplay and can cause frequent frustrations.

The music in the game is also a major disappointment. Compared to previous Earthworm Jim installments, which had great soundtracks, the music here is rather bland and repetitive. However, not all of the tracks are bad, there are a few good ones.

Earthworm Jim 3D is a pretty hilarious title with a dose of humor that retains the characteristic comic book style of the previous games. The graphics and controls are on a decent level, but the severely degraded camera and weak music put this game in a worse light. If you're a fan of the previous installments, you won't mind giving this game a try. However, for newcomers, it's best to stick with the first two episodes or even play the remastered version for modern consoles instead.