''Earthworm Jim 3D'' is a
platform
Platform may refer to:
Technology
* Computing platform, a framework on which applications may be run
* Platform game, a genre of video games
* Car platform, a set of components shared by several vehicle models
* Weapons platform, a system or ...
video game
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...
developed by
VIS Interactive
VIS Entertainment Limited (formerly known as VIS Interactive) was a British video game developer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The company was founded in 1996 by Chris van der Kuyl and Peter Baillie. In April 2003, VIS Entertainment acquired BA ...
and published by
Interplay Entertainment
Interplay Entertainment Corp. is an American video game developer and Video game publisher, publisher based in Los Angeles. The company was founded in 1983 as Interplay Productions by developers Brian Fargo, Jay Patel, Troy Worrell, and Rebecca ...
for the
Nintendo 64
The (N64) is a home video game console developed by Nintendo. The successor to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, it was released on June 23, 1996, in Japan, on September 29, 1996, in North America, and on March 1, 1997, in Europe and Au ...
. It is the third in the ''
Earthworm Jim
''Earthworm Jim'' is a series of platform games featuring an earthworm named Jim who wears a robotic suit and battles the forces of evil. The series is noted for its platforming and shooting gameplay, surreal humor, and edgy art style. Four game ...
'' series and a sequel to ''
Earthworm Jim 2
''Earthworm Jim 2'' is a 1995 run and gun (video game), run and gun platform game, platform video game and the sequel to ''Earthworm Jim (video game), Earthworm Jim'', and the second and final game in the ''Earthworm Jim (series), Earthworm Jim'' ...
.'' It was the first game in the series to not be developed by
Shiny Entertainment
Shiny Entertainment, Inc. was an American video game developer based in Laguna Beach, California. Founded in October 1993 by David Perry (game developer), David Perry, Shiny was the creator of video games such as ''Earthworm Jim (video game), E ...
, which had recently instituted a strict "no sequels" policy.
Interplay Entertainment
Interplay Entertainment Corp. is an American video game developer and Video game publisher, publisher based in Los Angeles. The company was founded in 1983 as Interplay Productions by developers Brian Fargo, Jay Patel, Troy Worrell, and Rebecca ...
, having recently purchased the Earthworm Jim rights, handed the franchise off to
VIS Interactive
VIS Entertainment Limited (formerly known as VIS Interactive) was a British video game developer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The company was founded in 1996 by Chris van der Kuyl and Peter Baillie. In April 2003, VIS Entertainment acquired BA ...
. The game suffered a difficult, prolonged development cycle and was repeatedly delayed until it was released in 1999 for the Nintendo 64, with
Rockstar Games
Rockstar Games, Inc. is an American video game publisher based in New York City. The company was established in December 1998 as a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, using the assets Take-Two had previously acquired from BMG Interactive. Foun ...
publishing the N64 version in North America. It was ported to
Microsoft Windows
Windows is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed and marketed by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. For example, Windows NT for consumers, Windows Server for serv ...
. The game was not received well, with critics claiming that the charm of the originals was lost, and that despite the long development period, the game still felt sloppy and lacked previously promoted features.
Gameplay
''Earthworm Jim 3D'' borrows much of its gameplay from other platformers of the era, competing with ''
Banjo-Kazooie
''Banjo-Kazooie'' is a series of video games developed by Rare (company), Rare. The games feature a male bear named Banjo & Kazooie, Banjo and his friend, a large female red bird named Banjo & Kazooie, Kazooie, who are both controlled by the p ...
'' and ''
Donkey Kong 64
''Donkey Kong 64'' is a 1999 platform game developed by Rare (company), Rare and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It is the first 3D game in the ''Donkey Kong'' series. As the gorilla Donkey Kong (character), Donkey Kong, the player e ...
''.
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, 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 subconscious and discovers he has gone insane. His past villains have entered his subconscious and if something doesn't happen soon, Jim will be in the coma forever. His super ego has been unleashed within his subconscious to stop the madness. To restore his sanity he must find the Golden Udders of lucidity.
When Jim enters his subconscious, 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. Jim defeats four villains who took over his mind chambers, and finally faces the personification of his trauma: Earthworm Kim.
Development
Shortly after the release of ''
Earthworm Jim 2
''Earthworm Jim 2'' is a 1995 run and gun (video game), run and gun platform game, platform video game and the sequel to ''Earthworm Jim (video game), Earthworm Jim'', and the second and final game in the ''Earthworm Jim (series), Earthworm Jim'' ...
'', its original developer,
Shiny Entertainment
Shiny Entertainment, Inc. was an American video game developer based in Laguna Beach, California. Founded in October 1993 by David Perry (game developer), David Perry, Shiny was the creator of video games such as ''Earthworm Jim (video game), E ...
was bought by
Interplay Entertainment
Interplay Entertainment Corp. is an American video game developer and Video game publisher, publisher based in Los Angeles. The company was founded in 1983 as Interplay Productions by developers Brian Fargo, Jay Patel, Troy Worrell, and Rebecca ...
, and then put onto other projects.
[ Because Shiny had recently introduced a strict "no sequels" policy, the franchise was given to ]VIS Entertainment
VIS Entertainment Limited (formerly known as VIS Interactive) was a British video game developer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The company was founded in 1996 by Chris van der Kuyl and Peter Baillie. In April 2003, VIS Entertainment acquired B ...
. It was decided that, much like many platform game series at the time, such as ''Super Mario
(also known as and ) is a platform game series created by Nintendo starring their mascot, Mario. It is the central series of the greater Mario (franchise), ''Mario'' franchise. At least one ''Super Mario'' game has been released for every m ...
'' or ''Sonic the Hedgehog
is a Japanese video game series and media franchise created by Sega. The franchise follows Sonic, an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who battles the evil Doctor Eggman, a mad scientist. The main ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' games are platformers mo ...
'', that gameplay would transition from 2D to 3D.[ Development started shortly after ''Earthworm Jim 2'' in 1996. The game had a drawn-out development cycle, so much so that it was at times believed it would become ]vaporware
In the computer industry, vaporware (or vapourware) is a product, typically computer hardware or software, that is announced to the general public but is late or never actually manufactured nor officially cancelled. Use of the word has broade ...
. The game was initially being developed for the PlayStation
is a video gaming brand that consists of five home video game consoles, two handhelds, a media center, and a smartphone, as well as an online service and multiple magazines. The brand is produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, a divisi ...
, but this version was scrapped early in 1997 in favor of the Nintendo 64 platform.
Problems arose from the extended development cycle. Much content from previews and promotional material was no longer in the final game; most notably that the game's final packaging showed Evil the Cat as the boss of the "Fear" level, whereas Professor Monkey-For-A-Head was actually the boss of the level.[ 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). Additionally, ]Evil Jim
''Earthworm Jim'' is a series of platform games featuring an earthworm named Jim who wears a robotic suit and battles the forces of evil. The series is noted for its platforming and shooting gameplay, surreal humor, and edgy art style. Four game ...
, Earthworm Jim's evil twin from the cartoon series, was reportedly a part of the game. Early screenshots and footage also display Jim riding his Pocket Rocket, with a fuel meter, in races and other missions, as well as snowboarding. Additionally, the game was loosely based on the Earthworm Jim animated series which by the time of release, had been off the air for more than three years, thus hurting the game's promotional tie-ins.
At the time, original series designer David Perry had sold the rights to the franchise. The characters had to be redesigned for the shift from side-scrolling 2D to free-roaming 3D. Perry and original series creator Doug TenNapel
Douglas Richard TenNapel ( ; born July 10, 1966) is an American animator, writer, cartoonist, video game designer, and comic book artist whose work has encompassed animated television, video games, and comic books. He is best known for creating ...
met with VIS to discuss the game early in its development.[ Both expressed that they hated what was done with ''Earthworm Jim 3D'', but legally could not prevent anything from happening. TenNapel said he felt the series was "ruined" by the game.
Problems with the ]frame rate
Frame rate (expressed in or FPS) is the frequency (rate) at which consecutive images (frames) are captured or displayed. The term applies equally to film and video cameras, computer graphics, and motion capture systems. Frame rate may also be ca ...
and animation were still arising in the game as development was over 70% complete.
Reception
''Earthworm Jim 3D'' received mixed reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation
A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews of products and services (such as films, books, video games, software, hardware, and cars). This system stores the reviews and uses them for purposes such as supporting a website where users ...
website GameRankings
GameRankings was a video gaming review aggregator that was founded in 1999 and owned by CBS Interactive. It indexed over 315,000 articles relating to more than 14,500 video games. GameRankings was discontinued in December 2019, with its staff bei ...
.[
The game was not considered either a critical or commercial success.] Many reviews called the game uninspired, mediocre, and unable to compete with many other similar, higher reviewed platform games at the time, such as ''Super Mario 64
is a platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It was released in Japan and North America in 1996 and PAL regions in 1997. It is the first ''Super Mario'' game to feature 3D gameplay, combining traditional ''Su ...
'', '' Rayman 2'', or '' Banjo Kazooie''. A major complaint was the game's camera, with ''GameSpot
''GameSpot'' is an American video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information on video games. The site was launched on May 1, 1996, created by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. In addition ...
''s Nintendo 64 version review stating that they felt the camera was on a "kamikaze
, officially , were a part of the Japanese Special Attack Units of military aviators who flew suicide attacks for the Empire of Japan against Allied naval vessels in the closing stages of the Pacific campaign of World War II, intending to d ...
mission to destroy the game". ''GameSpot''s review of the Windows version was even more negative, concluding with "''Earthworm Jim 3D'' has something to discourage all types of people from playing it. Fans of the series will be disappointed by the lackluster translation of the characters into three dimensions. Everyone else will be frustrated by the horrible camera." ''IGN
''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...
'' was slightly more forgiving for the Nintendo 64 version, praising sound, graphics, and presentation, but still criticizing the camera and lasting appeal. Jeff Lundrigan of '' NextGen'' said that the music of the same console version was "annoying".[
In one review, Boba Fatt of '']GamePro
Gamepro.com is an international multiplatform video game magazine media company that covers the video game industry, video game hardware and video game software in countries such as Germany and France. The publication, GamePro, was originally la ...
'' called the Nintendo 64 version "a disappointing experience that's more enraging than fun. Avoid this washout at all costs." In another review, iBot said, "''Earthworm Jim''s crazy antics have made it to N64, but it appears that the system wasn't ready for him. As 3D platformers go, ''Earthworm Jim 3D'' is middle of the road, which is frustrating because he's a character that's a lot of fun."
Notes
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Earthworm Jim 3d
1999 video games
3D platform games
Cancelled PlayStation (console) games
Earthworm Jim video games
Interplay Entertainment games
Nintendo 64 games
Single-player video games
Video games about mental health
Video games developed in the United Kingdom
Windows games
VIS Entertainment games