My index of potential Epic Games Store games was missing the next offering given to us for free, a game described as a “funky-fresh adventure.” ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove does not follow an anthropomorphic toe with, ew, jam, but a bunch of slug-like aliens simply looking for some parts to get off of the “wack planet ‘Earth.'” They definitely have the right idea, and you can vicariously follow these cool critters for free as they get the heck out of here.
This rogue-lite game is a complete throwback to the original ToeJam & Earl on the Sega Genesis, although this game has no involvement with Sega at all. Instead, this game is backed by developer HumaNature Studios and apparently actor Macaulay Culkin as a producer. Admittedly, I’m disappointed that this retro franchise has slipped my radar, but it likely won’t for long. Hooray for free goodies!
A funkalicious adventure
ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is an isometric rogue-lite and features a gameplay loop of exploring randomized islands and locations. The goal is to hunt down hidden presents for parts to fix their ship. Once that’s done, they’re able to return to their home planet of Funkotron. There are nine playable characters in this game, which also features four-player co-op so you can jam out with your friends. ToeJam & Earl will be available for free next week on the Epic Games Store on October 13, so be sure to pick this game up before you’ll have to pay for it again.
Meanwhile, if you don’t want to get down with ToeJam & Earl, you can still download the games Rising Hell and Slain: Back From Hell for free on the Epic Games Store. Both of these games are completely free to download and keep forever until October 13, so perhaps those two games can occupy you while ToeJam & Earl rules the globe.
