History VideoGame / JimmyAndThePulsatingMass

** A giant red dragoness falling in love with someone of a different species (Lars) reminds of ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}''.

* {{Fireballs}}: The [[https://rpgmaker.net/games/7503/blog/17616/ Rotting Jack O’Lantern]] is capable of blasting enemies with fireballs.

''[[https://store.steampowered.com/app/706560/Jimmy_and_the_Pulsating_Mass/ Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass]]'' is an ''VideoGame/{{EarthBound|1994}}''-inspired [[RolePlayingGame RPG]] for [[UsefulNotes/IBMPersonalComputer PC]] by [[Creator/{{Housekeeping}} Kasey Ozymy, a.k.a Housekeeping]]. The game uses UsefulNotes/RPGMaker VX Ace as its engine, but has an entirely original soundtrack and artwork.

It was released on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} on 7th August, 2018 as a commercial game, but there is a demo [[https://rpgmaker.net/games/7503/ here]].

* JokeItem: Enemies can drop Marvelous Coins after battle, and their description in the item menu bills them as being completely worthless. Late in the game, you can get equipment and furniture from Mr. Marvelous after collecting enough coins. All the items come with serious drawbacks.

''[[https://store.steampowered.com/app/706560/Jimmy_and_the_Pulsating_Mass/ Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass]]'' is an ''VideoGame/{{Earthbound}}''-inspired [[RolePlayingGame RPG]] for [[UsefulNotes/IBMPersonalComputer PC]] by [[Creator/{{Housekeeping}} Kasey Ozymy, a.k.a Housekeeping]]. The game uses UsefulNotes/RPGMaker VX Ace as its engine, but has an entirely original soundtrack and artwork.

See also ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Lisa}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Omori}}'', and ''VideoGame/{{Annventure}}'', other ''[[VideoGame/EarthBound1994 EarthBound]]''-inspired [=RPGs=] with dark atmospheres.

* MoodWhiplash: The game regularly indulges in this, switching periodically from long stretches of standard JRPG affair and whimsical, '' VideoGame/{{Earthbound}}''-esque worlds, to suddenly thrusting you into nightmarish settings rife with BodyHorror, [[{{Gorn}} blood and gore]], and dozens of other common horror tropes. The switch from these dread-filled sequences back to the comparatively happy-go-lucky mood of the normal areas is often just as sudden. For a few notable examples:

** The graphics have a grainier and more retro style than most RPG Maker VX games, the aesthetic is very obviously ''VideoGame/{{Earthbound}}''-inspired, and the world map uses the same style as ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger''.

** [[spoiler:The moment you directly fight The Pulsating Mass has it take the form of a giant, fleshy labyrinth, with a spherical core that possesses the ability to mimic whoever it chooses. [[VideoGame/EarthBound1994 In other words, Giygas' Devil's Machine.]]]]

* BossAlteringConsequence: Johnny Knives, who uses knives, as his name suggests. His knives can be stolen mid-battle, turning him into the depressed and ineffectual "Johnny No-Knives".

* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: The Pulsating Mass is a malignant all-consuming blob of flesh that rots and corrupts everything it touches, and nothing seems to be capable of putting it down. [[spoiler:In other words, [[TheTopicOfCancer cancer]]. The metaphors become more prevalent after the game's WhamEpisode, especially in Central Stamen, where Jimmy collects "medicine" that alleviates the worst of the Buddy Bees' symptoms but also makes him weak, nauseated, and sleepy, much like chemotherapy. In Heart Prison, he gives an especially sick Buddy Bee all three types of medicine at once...only for the Bee to die anyway, its last words asking how Jimmy can possibly stand taking so much]].

* BrutalBonusLevel: The game is stuffed with {{bonus dungeon}}s already, but the standard "post-game bonus dungeon" found in most [=RPGs=] does exist. The Heart Prison awaits you after you complete the game, and it is ''tough,'' split up into 8 segments that each require you to bring along a certain party member. Each is filled with strategically crafted encounters consisting of powered-up versions of various monsters from the game designed to be as annoying as possible, powered-up versions of previous {{optional boss}}es, and a final encounter against [[spoiler:a hateful version of Jimmy's family]] which is one of the hardest battles in the game.

* DeathIsCheap: Generally dying causes you to lose half of the cash you're carrying and boots you to the world map (or some other safe place). In the [[MiniGame Dark Dungeon]], you lose all the Dungeon Points earned that run instead. Exaggerated with the Life Insurance, which you get by defeating [[spoiler:Mr. Grouse]]. It completely removes the Dollar penalty from dying.

** The Phoenix transformation is Jimmy's strongest transformation, but you'll have to hunt down all twenty-five lightbulbs across the world. It comes with no stat penalties, boosts three stats per level, and comes with some of the strongest healing and revival spells.
** The Kingland Arena offers the Galaxy Badge, which gives a massive stat boost, regenerating HP and MP, immunity to several status ailments, and teaches two powerful offensive moves, but cannot be used on Jimmy.

* CantCatchUp: Averted -- some party members may leave you for an extended time, but when they rejoin, their levels are automatically adjusted to match your party's average so that you never have to worry about grinding up anyone who's fallen behind. Even if you have to, there's ExperienceMultiplier equipment designed for other party members to use to help those falling behind.

* CaveBehindTheWaterfall: Helga's memory zone, the Secret Cavern, is only accessible by entering Blue Staff River from the opposite entrance.
* ChainsawGood: One of the weapons sold by Chuff for 75,000 Dungeon Points. It gives the wielder 125 attack points.

*** [[spoiler:The Mad Queen in the mirror, who's been skinning others as well as herself.]]

** The Kingland Arena offers the Galaxy Badge, which gives a massive stat boost, regenerating HP and MP, immunity to several stats ailments, and teaches two powerful offensive moves, but cannot be used on Jimmy.

* WhamEpisode: [[spoiler:The conclusion to the first visit to the Central Hub. The Pulsating Mass invades the Central Hub before the Secret Knowledge can be used, Punch Tanaka sacrifices himself to let Jimmy escape, and it becomes clear that, in the real world, Jimmy's hospitalized and doesn't have much time left. The remaining dungeons all deal with how Jimmy's family has affected him throughout his life, and how they try to cope with his sickness.]]

* NotQuiteDead: [[spoiler:At the very end of the game, the Pulsating Mass can be seen still thriving just outside Jimmy's house.]]

* VideoGameStealing: The Grift command of the Low-Level Goon form, which allows theft of things that aren't dropped, like a Stuffed Skitter from Skitters. Non-inventory items can also be stolen:

** It even works on some bosses. In the first battle against Johnny Knives, stealing his Knives turns him into the depressed ZeroEffortBoss Johnny No-Knives. Meanwhile, the Black Prophet and GAMM-E BonusBoss battles allow you to steal objects to [[TimeLimitBoss give yourself more time]] and damage the boss, respectively. The Golden King, in his first fight, has four treasures that, when stolen, will lower his defense and give you a bigger reward, but make him stronger, while the rematch ''requires'' you to steal those treasures to be able to damage him at all.

* CatsAreMean: When they aren't skipping turns watching you, the Unlucky Nekos in a side area in Shinryu have one attack: tearing out your guts for a OneHitKill.

** Exploring the Central Hub reveals that its branches are related to memories and sensations. One room which is eye-themed has a telescope that you can interact with. Looking through it gives you [[spoiler:a dim view of a hospital room, from the bed's point of view -- a brief glimpse into Jimmy's reality.]]

* GuideDangIt: Triggering the Beach Babe BonusBoss fight in Bonita Vista. Unlike all the other bosses, who are triggered in specific areas like in every RPG, the Beach Babe is disguised as a random encounter in Bonita Vista- and since you are likely to be at a level high enough to be able to skip random encounters, and the temporary absence of your healer can turn you off from fighting too much, you are all too likely to choose to skip the area’s battles and never come into contact with the boss.

* AdventuresInComaland: The game takes place in Jimmy’s dream world. It's strongly implied that [[spoiler:Jimmy is very sick with incurable cancer]] and his goal is to gather the courage to [[spoiler:let go of his guilt and [[DyingDream pass on]]]].

* BraggingRightsReward: Your reward for extensively playing through the PostEndGameContent are [[https://jimmy-and-the-pulsating-mass.fandom.com/wiki/The_Stones animation stones,]] which unlock different short films in a small side area of Shinryu. You obtain them by accomplishing incredible feats like beating the ultimate {{superboss}} or going the extra mile to get all Arena rewards, but they don't affect the final outcome of the game.