Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is a journey worth taking, especially if you missed the original PC release.

*Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass*. Credit: Starseed Games / Electric Airship

Kasey Ozymy’s Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass was originally released on PC in 2018 and has finally arrived on consoles thanks to Starseed Games and publisher Electric Airship. The game is a charming JRPG clearly inspired by Earthbound, like many popular modern indie RPGs, along with Final Fantasy V, Breath of Fire, and Yumei Nikki. The new Console Enhanced version features new levels, an expert mode, quality-of-life improvements, and graphical updates.

You play as Jimmy, an eight-year-old boy exploring a surreal dreamworld alongside his family. What begins as a simple quest to fetch honey from a beehive quickly spirals into something far darker when an alien entity known as the Pulsating Mass threatens both Jimmy’s family and the dreamscape itself. The storytelling is emotional and sincere, often genuinely moving. Quirky humor initially masks the narrative depth, but as you gradually piece together what Jimmy is truly facing, the story’s emotional weight becomes increasingly resonant.

Combat is classic turn-based fare, elevated by a unique transformation system rooted in empathy. As Jimmy defeats monsters, he imagines himself in their position—experiencing their joys, fears, and sorrows—and gains the ability to transform into them both in and out of battle. These forms each level up separately and offer different abilities, giving you meaningful choice in how you develop Jimmy’s skill set. It’s a neat mechanic, though the game occasionally leans into grindy battles that can slow the pace, especially in the early hours.

The pixel art graphics evoke Earthbound with a bright, cartoon-like palette that feels both surreal and dreamlike. The environments are memorable, ranging from vibrant fantasy realms to genuinely unsettling nightmare zones, all rendered in charming 16-bit style that belies some of the story’s darker imagery. Enemy designs stand out as well, illustrated with expressive detail in battle scenes that feel right at home beside classics like Earthbound and Dragon Quest.

Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is a memorable RPG, and its arrival on consoles makes it far more accessible than ever before. While the occasional grind can be frustrating, the journey overall is rewarding, with a wealth of optional content to discover.

Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is available now on Steam, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One/Series X|S.