#lewanda toejam and earl

[gen-toon]

[thedyf]

I haven’t beaten a game in a while because of life and time. I’ll take even a casual game completion tbh. 🤣😭✌🏾

[theimaginer-on-dvd]

Aallllrright

[akumaverse]

LATISHA

First Appearance: Out of the Spolite #24

Dimension: Out of the Spotlite

Allegiance: Hero

Latisha comes from a wealthy family, but she always felt she needed to get out there and make her own name. So when she was old enough, she decided to travel across Funkatron and make a name for herself. With her wicked sense of rhythm and lyrical mastery, the ladies saw her as a person to respect. But her hot bot got the guys hot and bothered. Luckily for her, she knows Funk Fu so if any of these fools try to go a step beyond, she’ll knock them down verbally or physically. 

But then she met Big Earl. He was a smooth criminal but never treated her like the other guys did. He respected her skill and with his laid back attitude was great to hang out with. So Latisha decided she’ll hang with Earl, even if it means being around Toejam. When they first met, Toejam was like the others and she would knock it to him one way or another if he goes too far. But when Lewanda was available again, the two became more friendly rivals willing to throw verbal bars at each other from time to time. And even if she never admits it, she enjoys the challenge Toejam brings.

Sprite Credit

First version by Tikito. 

Second Version by Bendilin.

Current Version by Cylent Nite.

Fun Facts:

Besides the three, I had two other Latisha sprites that would have been used. Another version by Cylent Nite and my own attempt.

[miloscat]

[Review] Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove (Mac)

A funky fresh skin on old bones.

Greg Johnson, the father of Toejam and Earl, took the series indie after TJ&E, parting ways with Sega. They’ve shown up as guest stars in various indie games recently, but also this new game was Kickstarted in 2015, finally releasing in 2019. Unlike the previous two sequels, this hews very closely to the original... too closely, if you ask me, coming across as nothing so much as an enhanced remake.

The first TJ&E game was a landmark title for Mega Drive, iterating on the Rogue/Nethack formula with a strong cartoony style and lots of offbeat gameplay mechanics. It’s considered the most popular of the series and Johnson clearly wants to continue iterating on it. Having developed a fondness for 2 and 3, I personally wasn’t too keen on this direction, but I was pleased to see touches that incorporate small aspects from the sequels, such as the rhythm minigames, some present effects, and character appearances (Latisha returns in the default cast, as does Lewanda, a significant NPC from the second game).

The most striking aspect of this new effort is the art, which has taken on a highly stylised look: I described the first game as cartoony but this one actually looks like it’s a hand-drawn cartoon! There’s a lot of personality in these high-res but 90s-style surreal designs, many of them reinterpretations of concepts from the first game, and it’s just lovely to look at. The side effect is the distinctiveness of TJ&E3 that I came to recognise and appreciate has been minimised.

Another reversion I had to get used to is the mechanics. Both sequels gave the playable cast basic methods of interacting with the world and defending themselves, but again in a move to replicate the first game’s dynamic, you’re unable to take almost any action without using up presents. This does make for a more frantic experience, often struggling on the knife’s edge; avoiding Earthlings, scrounging for tools and food, and trying not to end your run prematurely (yes, it’s a true roguelike again, with permadeath). The high level of randomness can be both thrilling and frustrating, with many actions potentially having a positive or negative effect in a world already bristling with threats. It’s a hard balance to strike, especially when a mistake can remove your capabilities and progression within a run.

I know I’m unusual in this, but I prefer TJ&E 2 and 3 to 1, and for a big revival of the franchise I would have liked to see more of the former in this. However, I understand that adding other modes for example, or more character interaction and dialogue, would have been beyond the scope of a Kickstarted game leveraging nostalgia for the best-loved instalment. I also again didn’t sample the multiplayer options in this one, which would likely enhance this format particularly. Ah well, it’s just not as much for me and I can leave it at that.

[gertlushgaming]

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! Launches March 1st

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! Launches March 1st

 ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove!, the upcoming fourth entry of the beloved, funkadelic action roguelike series from HumaNature Studios, helmed by original co-creator Greg Johnson, puts the “fun” in funky on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on Friday, March 1. The iconic ‘90s alien duo is back. ToeJam and Earl, hoping to impress Latisha and Lewanda, have…”borrowed” the…

[akumaverse]

EARL

First Appearance: Out of the Spolite #1

Dimension: Out of the Spotlite

Allegiance: Hero

Earl, also known as Big E, was always a smooth criminal. No matter what people would dish out, Earl would let it bound right off him. He just takes it as it comes, at his own laid back pace and this makes him very popular with people. His best friend is Toejam who he grew up with and they hang together for so long they might as well be brothers. And whatever adventures Toejam found himself in, Earl was right there beside him ready to help a brother when he needed to.

Big Earl was there when Toejam tried to impress Lewanda, then Latisha, and then Lewanda again when she became available. He always breaks up the fights between Latisha and Toejam since they both respect him. Because they know when they need help or someone to bring in the beat, they know they can rely on Big Earl!

Sprite Credit

Current version ripped from Toejam and Earl: Panic on Funkatron

Fun Facts:

Before the more modern rips, Earl’s sprites were very limited.

[akumaverse]

TOEJAM

First Appearance: Out of the Spolite #1

Dimension: Out of the Spotlite

Allegiance: Hero

Toejam, or TJ for short, is a self-confident but skilled rapper from the Planet Funkatron. During a trip with Earl, the two crash landed on Earth and had to find the pieces of their ship to return home. They succeeded in doing so, but Earthlings stowed away and caused Funkatron to be less Funky. So Toejam and Earl captured those Earthlings and get the Funkopotamous Lamont out of his funk.

Sometime later, Lamont sent Toejam, alongside Earl and Latisha to recover the twelve Sacred Albums of Funk stolen by the Anti-Funk. Though things got quiet for a long time, which led Toejam and his friends to Axel’s bar lamenting that they deserved better. And eventually they got their chance at redemption, as they got Back in the Groove to spread the word of Funk to Earth once more (and impress Lewanda).

But after getting Earl to accidentally press a Black Hole Generator, he messed up the Earth and broke Lamont’s ship so the group had to rebuild it once more. They rebuilt the ship and return to Funkatron, where Lamont was cool with them taking his ride to bring the Funk to other worlds.

Sprite Credit

Current version ripped from Toejam and Earl: Panic on Funkatron

Fun Facts:

While I have played the original and 2, Toejam and Earl Part 3 was the first Toejam game I owned.

I helped fund Toejam and Earl: Back in the Groove. You can see my name in the credits.