Review: Toaster Jam
At a Glance
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How to Save and Pause:Your statistics are recorded as you play. While there is no progression in the general sense, once you've reached a level, it becomes selectable in the main menu. That said, this isn't a game you want to pause; instead, just wait to start a level or quit the game if you need a break. Time needed per session:None of the levels take more than a minute or so to clear, so this game can easily fit into anybody's schedule.
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Does this game pose issues for Christian players?
 | No - this is a great game for Christians The most offensive thing you'll find in this game is the disappointed look your toaster will give you when it collides with an obstacle. |
Screenshots
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/toaster_jam_0.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/toaster_jam_1.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/toaster_jam_2.jpg)
Game Overview
Some time ago, I skimmed through the cheap games on Steam to see if I could spot anything that looked like it might be a hidden gem. Toaster Jam was one of the games I picked up that day, and I was correct - it's a fun little indie game that could use some extra exposure.
Each level in this game is an obstacle course, with a slice of golden brown toast marking the goal. The trick is, you don't exactly steer your toaster. Instead, you'll fling it somewhere, hoping that gravity and items in the level will conspire to move it along in the right direction. To start flinging the toaster, hold the left mouse button and move the mouse cursor to aim. Time will slow down to give you more of a chance at aiming, and once you release the mouse button, the toaster will "jump" in the desired direction.
Of course, there's a catch to this. Slowing down time and jumping require energy. The longer you take to aim, the more energy you'll lose per jump. If you completely run out of energy, the level ends and you'll need to try again. Collecting darker piece of toast will restore your energy, making them waypoints in longer levels.
As important as toast is, it's not the only thing you'll encounter. You'll also find cans of jam and cups of coffee placed in many of the levels. Both of these help you move around a little more easily. Collecting jam sends your toaster flying in the direction the can was facing, while coffee pauses the action, allowing you to plan the next jump without danger or a time limit.
Aside from toast, coffee, and jam, most of the things you'll come across are either hazards to be avoided or obstacles to work around. Forks and spiked doughnuts will "hurt" the toaster if they touch it, forcing you to retry the level. Locks need a key to open, and you can use portals to instantly send your toaster to another part of the level.
Overall, this is a nice, challenging game that doesn't promise more than it can deliver. On the downside, it's a tad short, which means a skilled player can finish it in a single afternoon. Still, it's polished enough that I'd recommend giving it a try.
Each level in this game is an obstacle course, with a slice of golden brown toast marking the goal. The trick is, you don't exactly steer your toaster. Instead, you'll fling it somewhere, hoping that gravity and items in the level will conspire to move it along in the right direction. To start flinging the toaster, hold the left mouse button and move the mouse cursor to aim. Time will slow down to give you more of a chance at aiming, and once you release the mouse button, the toaster will "jump" in the desired direction.
Of course, there's a catch to this. Slowing down time and jumping require energy. The longer you take to aim, the more energy you'll lose per jump. If you completely run out of energy, the level ends and you'll need to try again. Collecting darker piece of toast will restore your energy, making them waypoints in longer levels.
As important as toast is, it's not the only thing you'll encounter. You'll also find cans of jam and cups of coffee placed in many of the levels. Both of these help you move around a little more easily. Collecting jam sends your toaster flying in the direction the can was facing, while coffee pauses the action, allowing you to plan the next jump without danger or a time limit.
Aside from toast, coffee, and jam, most of the things you'll come across are either hazards to be avoided or obstacles to work around. Forks and spiked doughnuts will "hurt" the toaster if they touch it, forcing you to retry the level. Locks need a key to open, and you can use portals to instantly send your toaster to another part of the level.
Overall, this is a nice, challenging game that doesn't promise more than it can deliver. On the downside, it's a tad short, which means a skilled player can finish it in a single afternoon. Still, it's polished enough that I'd recommend giving it a try.
Points of Interest
Many toasters to try
When you initially start the game, you'll only be able to use the default toaster design. As you play, new toasters will be unlocked, allowing you to customize your experience. There are a total of sixteen designs to choose between, though none of them actually give you any special benefits.
In game level editor
Players can design their own levels and share them via the Steam Workshop. Custom levels you've made or downloaded will also show up in the game's level menu, making it easy to continue your crumbly adventures once you've finished the main game.
Endless challenges
In addition to the standard and custom levels, there are also three endless challenges. These levels never end; you just continue jumping from bread to bread in an attempt to reach a high score. The challenges are also ranked by difficulty. Before you can try the next tier, you must prove your ability by getting a good score in the current one.
Steam Community Features
There are twenty one achievements to earn while you're making toast. None of them are particularly inspired, as they all have to do with completing a given number of levels or doing something repetitively.
This game also comes with a set of Steam trading cards.
This game also comes with a set of Steam trading cards.
A tad short
At first glance, the fact that this game comes with forty levels sounds like it'll take hours to complete. Unfortunately, most of these levels are fairly small, and you'll probably be done with the game within three hours. The developer has promised to continue adding new levels, so hopefully things will improve in the future.
Concerns and Issues
Nothing to really worry about
Although it's possible to "injure" your toaster by letting it touch level hazards, this only makes the toaster look surprised and unhappy. There's no real violence or any objectionable content in this silly little game.