ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! is a mash-up of the very best features of the classic console games with a ton of fresh improvements! Explore Earth as funky aliens from planet Funkotron trying to find your missing ship pieces to get back home in this casual co-op roguelike.
The game stays true to the core gameplay of the original 1991 title, which many players fondly remember. Players control the alien duo of ToeJam and Earl (or one of several other playable characters) as they explore a randomly generated Earth to find the missing pieces of their spaceship and escape.
Each playthrough features randomly generated levels stacked vertically, requiring players to find elevators to progress upwards. Scattered throughout the levels are a variety of "presents" - power-ups and items that have random effects, both helpful and harmful, such as weapons, movement-enhancing items, and health-restoring food. The unpredictable nature of the presents adds an element of risk and surprise to the gameplay.
Rather than combat-focused gameplay, the focus is on avoiding the strange "Earthlings" that inhabit each level. These quirky characters include texting pedestrians, sharks swimming in lakes, and many other bizarre entities that will attack the player on sight. Players must use the game's movement mechanics and presents to evade these enemies.
The game allows up to 4 players to cooperate locally or online, working together to navigate the levels and find the missing ship parts. This adds an extra layer of coordination and chaos to the experience.
As players progress through the game and complete runs, they unlock new playable characters, hats that provide unique effects, and other customization options. This provides an incentive to keep playing and experimenting with different strategies and playstyles.
For players who may find the randomized, evasion-focused gameplay too challenging, the game offers a "Fixed" mode that provides a more predictable, curated experience, allowing more casual players to still enjoy the core ToeJam & Earl experience.