JSR demands repect (Jet Set Radio (DC))

Member Name: Stickman

Product:	Jet Set Radio (DC)
Date:	22/05/01 (20 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great gameplay, top music

Disadvantages: some slowdown when the screen gets busy., quite hard (but worth it)

Well actually it didnt due to the usual Sega of Europes cack handed advertising attempts (I cant comment for elsewhere but the commitment to advertising in the UK is woeful) which consisted of a few shabby A3 posters here and there. This is possibly why a game as good as Jet Set Radio didnt sell as well as it should have.

What is JSR? think of a cross between a simple Tony Hawks (move wise), Sonic adventure, an MTV type cartoon and Simon Says. I guess that doesn't make an awful lot of sense but I think it fits.

Basically you skate around some well designed levels on most surfaces and spray grafiti in set places in order to complete the levels. Vertical surfaces and railings can be ground in order to reach otherwise unreachable areas.

Of course the local cops are not happy with you defacing the place so will hunt you down, getting more and more extreme as the game wears on (Gunships?? For a skater???).

It plays like a dream and requires a lot of skill to complete it. This is NOT an easy game but dont be put off by that, with practice you will find it has a superb learning curve giving you that "one more go" feeling.

Replay is a tricky point. You can unlock extra characters (including a dog) and there is a lot of fun to be had simply skating around the levels once you have unlocked them, simply pulling off tricks (This option is available once an area of the city is completed.) to show off your mad skills. Actually I've just conviced myself its worth playing again.

The graphics are outstanding using a cell shading and great level design to. The music throughout is also perfectly suited to the game being a mix of hiphop and lo-fi punky tracks.

All in all a great game that deserved to sell much much more than it did. If you have a Dreamcast get it.

Summary: