Earthworm Jim 3D

Infobox VG| title = Earthworm Jim 3D


developer = VIS entertainment ltd
publisher = Interplay (PC version), Rockstar Games (Nintendo 64 Version)
designer =
engine =
released = October 31, 1999
genre = Platformer
modes = Single player
ratings = ESRB: Everyone (E)
platforms = PC, Nintendo 64
media = CD-ROM, Cartridge
requirements =
input =

"Earthworm Jim 3D" is to date the last console game in the Earthworm Jim series. Created by Interplay and based more on the Television series than the canon of the previous games, Earthworm Jim 3D was released for Nintendo 64 and PC. While the game featured classic villains such as Psy-Crow and Professor Monkey-For-A-Head, it was criticized for falsely advertising on the game box that Evil the Cat was included. This omission was due to a rushed development cycle, leading to the removal of a number of game locations (some also appearing on the game box) in an attempt to meet the game's release date. And as such, a planned Playstation version of the game was cancelled.

Gameplay

Earthworm Jim 3D borrows much of its gameplay from other platformers of the era, notably Banjo-Kazooie and Super Mario 64. New locations in Jim's brain are opened up by collecting Golden Udders, and new levels in each location are opened by collecting Jim's marbles. Like previous Earthworm Jim games, despite many platforming elements, Jim's primary method of combat comes from shooting his Blaster.

Plot

Earthworm Jim is hit by a flying cow that sends him into a coma. Jim awakens within his own mind and discovers he has gone insane. His past villains have entered his mind and if something doesn't happen soon, Jim will be in the coma forever. His super ego has been unleashed within his mind to stop the madness. To restore his sanity he must find the golden udders of lucidity.cite web|title=Earthworm Jim 3D|date=1999-10-25|publisher=IGN|url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/151/151970p1.html|author=Matt Casamassina|accessdate=2008-04-24]

Main characters

*Earthworm Jim - The hero of the game. After getting hit by a falling cow, Jim's worst fears and anxieties were unleashed and are destroying his psyche. As a last line of defense, Jim's four worm brains embody Jim as his own superego, and send him out to collect his marbles to repair his damaged IQ. When he starts off the game, he's as smart as pond scum. More levels within Jim's brains open as Jim gets smarter.
*Peter Puppy - Earthworm Jim's friend. He basically tells Jim inside of his mind what happened after the cow fell on him and what to do about the resulting turmoil his mind is in.
*Snott - A booger who is also Jim's friend. He appears from time to time, giving Jim hints and telling him how to perform moves.
*The Sacred Cow of Contemplation - A cow that controls the portals to Jim's brains. His powers can only be recharged when Jim finds Golden Udders. He is a master of disguise (i.e., he wears an afro in Fear, a chef hat in Happiness, a cowboy hat in Fantasy and an army hat in Memory).

Jim's Mind

When Jim enters his mind, he finds out that his four mind chambers have been taken over by his worst fears. He must collect Golden Udders to unlock the other three chambers and Green Marbles to unlock the levels within the chamber.

Development

During its drawn-out three year development cycle, Earthworm Jim 3D changed publishers several times. This caused some problems as the game was based on the Earthworm Jim TV series which by the time of release, had been off the air for over 3 years. Also many locations displayed in early versions of the game are nowhere to be found in the released copy (such as a level set in a house, where Jim is ant-sized), and locations that were kept from early screenshots changed drastically before release. In some cases, entire characters were changed - originally, Evil the Cat was to be the boss of Fear, but was changed to Professor Monkey-For-A-Head at the last moment, although his face can be seen on the records and record needles in the level "Boogie Nights of the Living Dead". Additionally, Evil Jim, Earthworm Jim's evil twin from the TV series, was reportedly a part of the game. Early screenshots also display Jim riding his Pocket Rocket.

The characters of "Earthworm Jim" had to be redesigned for the shift to 3D.cite web|author=Gamasutra Staff| url = http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060606/murdey_01.shtml| title = Digging For Worms: Why Doug Tennapel Doesn't Care What His Fans Think|date=2006-06-06| publisher = Gamasutra| accessdate=2008-04-23] When the game was almost three quarters done, it suffered from framerate problems and poor animation. [cite web|title=Unearthing Jim|date=1998-11-02|publisher=IGN|url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/065/065539p1.html|author=IGN Staff|accessdate=2008-04-24]

Reception

VG Reviews
IGN = 7.3 of 10 (N64) 6.0 of 10 (PC)|
GR = 59% of 100 [cite web| url = http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/197200.asp?q=Earthworm%20Jim| publisher = Game Rankings| title = Earthworm Jim 3D - N64| accessdate = 2008-04-23] "Earthworm Jim 3D" was thought to be a solid platforming game with a good selection of levels and weapons, but with a terrible camera system and a lack of any big innovations.

References

External links

* [http://ign64.ign.com/objects/001/001970.html IGN64 Earthworm Jim 3D Game Page]
* [http://media.ign64.ign.com/media/001/001970/imgs_12.html Early IGN64 Screenshots for Earthworm Jim 3D]
* [http://www.gamespot.com/n64/action/earthwormjim3d/index.html Gamespot Eartworm Jim 3D Game Page]
* [http://www.actiontrip.com/files/demos/earthwormjim3d.phtml Action Trip: Earthworm Jim 3D PC Demo]
*moby game|id=/earthworm-jim-3d|name="Earthworm Jim 3D"