Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Earnest Evans delivers a classic action-platforming experience centered around its titular treasure hunter’s trusty whip. Players navigate a series of intricately designed stages filled with bottomless pits, volcanic chasms, and collapsing bridges. Earnest’s move set—jumping, climbing ropes, crouching, and crawling—feels intuitive, offering moments of vertical exploration as well as horizontal combat.

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Combat encounters are frequent, pitting Earnest against both human adversaries and supernatural creatures. The whip serves as your primary weapon, with a satisfying reach that can be angled to strike foes above or below. Occasional power-ups expand your offensive repertoire, but resource management is key—miss a critical jump or fail to disarm traps, and you’ll quickly feel the game’s unforgiving difficulty curve.

Boss battles punctuate each chapter, demanding pattern recognition and precise timing. While some encounters feel memorization-heavy, the game rewards persistence with hidden treasures and brief cinematic flourishes. Despite a few occasional control quirks—such as sticky collision detection on narrow ledges—most players will find the challenge invigorating rather than off-putting.

Graphics

Visually, Earnest Evans embraces the 16-bit era’s penchant for bold colors and detailed pixel art. Backgrounds range from sun-scorched deserts to shadowy crypts, each stage boasting layered parallax scrolling that adds depth to the action. The environments are richly textured, evoking a sense of exploration and adventure befitting a world-traversing archaeologist.

Character sprites are notably large and well-animated, lending Earnest a heroic presence on screen. Enemies span from gangsters in fedoras to mythical guardians, each rendered with distinctive silhouettes and expressive frames. While the occasional flicker and palette clash peek through—especially on hardware with limited color palettes—the overall presentation remains charming.

Cutscenes between levels heighten the drama, combining hand-drawn art with text boxes that relay key plot points. Although voice samples are sparse, a few grunts and sound effects on the Sega CD version add a layer of immersion. These cinematic breaks, though brief, help tie the gameplay segments together into a cohesive adventure.

Story

Earnest Evans picks up fifty years after the ill-fated expedition of Earnest’s grandfather, a renowned archaeologist who disappeared while hunting three legendary idols. Rumor held that these idols could unleash catastrophic power if they fell into the wrong hands. Now, the grandson must retrace his ancestor’s steps, determined to finish what his grandfather started.

The narrative weaves directly into the universe established by El Viento, with subtle references and recurring motifs that fans of the earlier title will appreciate. Throughout the journey, Earnest unravels cryptic clues left behind in ancient temples, dusty archives, and perilous ruins. Objective markers guide players through each locale, but it’s the unfolding backstory that provides genuine intrigue.

Opposing Earnest is the sinister Brady Tressider, leader of a ruthless syndicate bent on acquiring the idols for nefarious ends. His henchmen and monstrous creations stand between the hero and his goal, raising the stakes with every escalating threat. While the plot may occasionally lean into pulp-adventure tropes, its earnest delivery and period flair keep the momentum strong.

Overall Experience

From its tight platforming mechanics to its atmospheric visuals, Earnest Evans stands as a noteworthy entry in early ’90s action-platformers. The game’s challenge will test both veteran and novice players, rewarding careful exploration and mastery of the whip’s mechanics. Hidden passages and collectible items encourage multiple playthroughs and deeper engagement.

Though some modern players may balk at its steep difficulty spikes and occasional control hiccups, there’s an undeniable charm to Earnest’s globetrotting quest. The connection to El Viento lends additional lore appeal, making this title more than a standalone adventure—it’s part of a broader narrative tapestry. Fans of vintage side-scrollers will find plenty to admire here.

Whether you’re drawn by nostalgic pixel art or the thrill of whip-cracking platform exploits, Earnest Evans offers an immersive ride through exotic locales and perilous dungeons. It may not be flawless, but its ambitious scope and classic design sensibilities ensure it remains a memorable experience for action-platform aficionados.

Retro Replay Score

6.1/10