| Product: |
Jet Set Radio Future (Xbox) |
| Date: |
01/01/03 (504 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Disadvantages: see text
During the glorious era of the Dreamcast, many wonderful and unique games were released for the system. The games were so popular that many have been and are being re-released for other systems, such as Sonic Adventure 2 as well as Phantasy Star Online and Skies of Arcadia for the Gamecube, or sequels being made for them. Such was the case of Jet Set Radio. A unique game in a league of its own in which the player took on the role of a gang known as the GG's, a rebel gang at war with rival gangs to prove who's best through graffiti wars. The main goal however, was to stop the Rokkaku, an evil organization led by tyrant Goji from taking over all of modern Japan! But unlike most games this task was accomplished through the use of jet powered skates, graffiti, and the secret radio station Jet Set Radio. Led by DJ Professor K, the goal was to spray graffiti over the Rokkaku and their fellow gang's graffiti to put an end to their evil plans to control Tokyo as well as earn the respect of rival gangs. This game was so unlike anything ever experienced in gaming history, it practically begged for a sequel, and the XBOX delivers…
GRAPHICS
Staying true to the original look and feel of its predecessor, Jet Set Future has the fun cell shaded graphics that give it its unique look and feel. Although cell shaded, the detail work comes through very nicely. Each cell shaded character has an original look to them, giving each one its own feel and personality. From the homeboy Corn to stereo toting Combo to sporty Ryth, no two characters are alike in this sense, and with 24 characters to choose from after all are unlocked, it's a guarantee that everyone who plays this game should have no trouble finding a favorite.
The detail comes through the most in the "world" in which the game takes place in: Japan! Known as a very cultural, yet modern country no two areas of Japan are the same. This really comes through in each area of Jap
an on Jet Set Future. While zooming through Shabuya Terminal the player will notice many Japanese billboards plastered throughout the crowded buildings, the bustling crowds as well as the busy traffic and chartered busses transporting people to and from the airport, while 99th Street displays the hectic, festive nightlife. This area is decorated with Japanese hanging lanterns, shooting fountains, and a beautiful upward spiraling dragon in the main square, displaying the rich culture and art of Japan beautifully
All in all it's very nicely done. The cell shading was the perfect choice for this series, because it takes place in Japan, it gives it an almost "anime" look to it while the expansive 3D worlds make it feel like anything but a cartoon. There's no slowdown, even when blazing through massive crowds of people, which is a great thing since Japan is extremely populated and there's many crowds of people in this game.
20/20
SOUND
Since this game is focused around a radio station, Jet Set Radio, the music is of course the bread and butter of this game. Unlike the first one however which focused strictly on J-pop (Japanese pop music), this game offers a little more of a variety than before. It now sports a little more American alternative and techno music, which is nice for a change, while still sporting most of the old J-pop favorites, either in their original form or slightly remixed. This gives a great variety while at the same time keeping that true feel of being in Japan listening to a Japanese radio station.
However some of the remixes aren't as good as their original versions and one song should never have made it into the mix: Birthday Cake. Why a woman screaming out ingredients to make a birthday cake was considered a song of ANY sort is beyond comprehension, and the fact that it's short just makes it quicker to repeat and grind on your very last nerve! Also even though there are ma
ny songs in this game the station only plays a select few in each area which can get quite repetitive at times, especially since as mentioned many of the songs were on Jet Grind Radio. Although its understandable you can't turn to different radio stations, this could've been fixed or at least softened by giving you the option to skip a song you don't like, select a series of songs from another level or even the option to customize a favorite series of songs to play!
The sound effects are great though. From the grinding noise of the skates, the "soul of the street"(spray paint cans) spraying, the boxes scattering and walls breaking as you bust through them, to the screaming crowd jumping for cover as you run through them all come through loud and clear! This combined with the music really give you the feeling of being a rebel blading through the town. To add to that "rebel punk" feeling are the police sirens as they close in, trying desperately to catch up and close in.
Lastly are the voices. All the voice actors couldn't have been better suited to their characters and their performances are excellent. Professor K will really crack you up with his DJ antics as always, while the police captain will definitely leave you wondering exactly how does this city pick their police! Even the police that work for him will crack comical comments about him behind his back, and of course when your fellow teammates speak, they come through great too.
15/20
LIFESPAN
This is where the game really excels! Although a gamer could beat this game in a week or so it is the extras that make this game special. With cassettes to collect that unlock street challenges in each area, graffiti souls to collect, characters to unlock as well as optional challenges by various gangs throughout the game there's always something to do. There's even a "Jet Rank" to achieve in each area after you beat the
game! Although the multi player mode is left lacking, with this many insanely challenging things to do it'll take quite a while to get bored with this game.
For gamers whom like to collect there are various graffiti souls. Graffiti souls are souls that if collected, offers a new graffiti design to choose from in the GG's garage to become the new signature graffiti in the game. These souls are hidden in every crevice in every area in this game, and to collect all 140 of them is not only time consuming, it can be downright maddening! Aside from the set number hidden in each area of Japan, graffiti souls can be collected in several ways. And to unlock at least one of the hidden characters quite a few will be needed!
One method is by finding the hidden cassette for each area and unlocking the "street challenges" for that level. There are 5 street challenges to complete, each one harder than the last. The challenges usually consist of doing a certain number of consecutive grind tricks, getting a certain number of points, doing a number of consecutive aerial tricks, and one vague clue hinting at a specific spot to do a trick on in the level. These by far are the hardest to complete, simply because of the vagueness of the clue, or the complete inability to understand it because its written in Japanese! Each completed challenge makes a graffiti soul appear somewhere in that level, usually in an equally insane to reach place!
Another way is by unlocking characters. Each character comes with there very own set of graffiti, which count toward your graffiti soul collection! Characters are, with the exception of a few, unlocked by completing the challenges specified by the un-lockable character. The challenge is generally a series of blading moves that must be copied exactly as portrayed by the character. In some instances though the character will challenge you to a race through the city, and in the case of Ryth your goal is to find
her in a bizarre game of hide-and-seek!
One last note on graffiti, for the artistically inclined there is an option to create your own graffiti! Yes, by going to the GG's garage and speaking to Roboy, he will display in his options the ability to create custom graffiti. It's very time consuming however so its probably only for those who just want to display their artistic abilities or just want to feel more of an individual. It's still a fun option nonetheless.
Then for those who enjoy the most extreme challenges, there is the task of achieving "Jet Rank" in every level. Jet Rank is an extreme score set for each level that if beaten, usually unlocks a secret character or extra. Although there's usually a spot that grants a greater amount of points for stunts than anywhere else in every level, even accomplishing these tasks in those areas is tough. But for those who want to beat and unlock everything in the game or just claim bragging rights, this is the way to go!
25/25
GAMEPLAY
This game rocks in this category. There's just something to please everyone in it. For the Tony Hawk lovers this game will provide the stunts they so love and a reason to do them unlike most street sport games which more or less revolve around getting a high score in an allotted time limit. Even those who don't like street sport games will find it addicting since its more of an adventure on wheels than simple sports. With the simple storyline and easy to learn controls, this game is a winner for all.
The storyline is pretty much straight from the first. The gamer starts as Corn, leading what remains of the rebel group the GG's, out once again to show those punk rivals who's top dog in Tokyo by going into graffiti wars with them once again. And what fun would that be if the Rokkaku organization and their man Goji weren't up to no good yet again? As always the friendly neighborhood paid off
police force will be there to try to track you down, complete with the crazy captain! So yet again the gamer must gear up and gather a force worthy of taking down the Rokkaku one more time, led again by DJ Professor K and the underground station, Jet Set Radio!
The controls are simple enough, yet the stunts required to beat the game will give any gamer a good challenge. There's the basic stunts, rail grind, handstands and of course the art of graffiti-ing, all of which can be learned quickly and easily enough. One thing changed is the graffiti system. Instead of the almost fighting style control sequences put in to spray a graffiti, it now only takes the push of a button a certain number of times depending on the size of the area to be sprayed over. This in no way takes away from the challenge though. The challenge comes in trying to grind up telephone poles and over the wires at a dizzying pace while spray painting over graffiti on various buildings without stopping to so much as blink, or grind-jumping off of a series of rails and billboards to reach the top of one building without falling into deep murky waters only to be mocked by Professor K! (That evil laugh of his he gives when a fall occurs makes one seriously question whose side he's on!)
As mentioned in the lifespan section, there's a multitude of one player things to do to keep even the hardest to please gamers happy. However the multiplayer mode is where this game really lacks. The idea was good: two player split screen in which the two contestants try to paint over as many graffiti in the time allowed and the highest score wins. The problem is the areas are constricted and small, not allowing for much fun as say, a free for all through Chuo Street or Dogenzaka Hill. Also the split screen just really wouldn't do the big areas justice since the more the screen is split, the smaller the pictures. But no game is 100% perfect and the pros far outweigh the cons in this case.
23/25
ORIGINALITY
This series is about as original as you can get. It can't really be classified into any category because of its vast variety. It doesn't fall into the extreme sports category since although extreme sports are involved, its more or less the player's mode of transportation to get from graffiti point to point than the main focus of the game. Even labeling it a true action/adventure is a stretch since there's not exactly a deep storyline and extreme sports are involved! Best described as stated before "an adventure on wheels" this game has something for everyone. Although the series is grand, since this game is basically a polished version of its original its not all that original as a game. Well polished though.
6/10
OVERALL
Overall it's awesome. A great starter game for anyone just purchasing an XBOX or even long time owners just looking for something a little different and innovative. Of course any fan of Jet Grind Radio should own this, for they in no way will be disappointed! And for those who've sat here and read all this and STILL aren't convinced it's an awesome game, go rent it and see for yourself. Enjoy!
89%
Summary:
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