NBrid

In the words of Professor K “I was so excited about my first date I forgot to put on my underwear.” That’s exactly how I felt when I was popping in the disc containing Jet Set Radio future. Being big, black, and sexy isn’t the only thing the Xbox has going for it.

In it’s first year of being out it has amassed some real hits. Many of these hits come from SEGA, porting over (or should I say bringing updated versions of Dreamcast games) to Xbox. One such great hit, which never got the credit it deserved, is Jet Set Radio Future. JSRF is a very original game, with a very original look. In fact JSRF can call the cell shaded look it’s creation. So without further ado, Nbrid brings you a review of an oldie but goodie.

Jet Set Radio first hit the scene on the Dreamcast. The game received very good reviews from many different magazines, and websites. However on the failing DC it didn’t become the hit it should’ve. The concept of JSR is very original. You are part of a gang (a roller blading gang mind you). Over the course of the game you fight rival gangs in street battles, graffiti wars, and you fight the police and their freedom ending machines. What really sets the game apart, other then it’s concept, is how well they portray the “streets”. It all comes together with excellent music (including the likes of The Prunes, and ScapeGoat Wax), very cool and stylish players, and awesome graffiti tags.

With the new version on the Xbox the basic concept has stayed the same. Give the players great graphics, awesome tunes to kick it to, and great gameplay. The gameplay is fine-tuned. The tricks are pretty easy to master; the timing is the difficult part to get down. For instance, now you can pull off hand grabs in half pipes, something that wasn’t possible in the original. Right before you get to the top you need to tap “A” and you’ll pull off the move. Most moves only require one button to do; this isn’t a Tony Hawk clone. Even though the moves are simple, many times you have to pull off many in concession to get to certain places on the maps. The other big part of gameplay is the spraying of graffiti. In the Dreamcast version you have to do certain button combos to spray graffiti. In this new game, it has been simplified down a bit. Now you simply need to pull the right trigger button to spray. This is a blessing and nightmare. It makes the game much easier when you just tap the button to spray, however, it also helps alleviate the pain of having the cops chasing you 24/7 while pulling off a combo like in the Dreamcast version.

The graphics are presented in the new cel-shaded look that everyone in the industry is mimicking right now. The graphics are sharp, vibrant in color, and give the best way to present this game. I cannot see this game in any other art style, it simply portrays the individuality and artistic freedom that the game embodies and is what it’s all about. The game also has a lot more going on in the Xbox version. The streets are filled with people flooding the streets of Tokyo, with almost no slowdown whatsoever. In fact, slowdown occurs in the most unexpected places, which is really weird, however, it doesn’t hinder gameplay in any way.

Along with more crowded streets the cops also have much bigger badass weapons to use. I won’t say what they are, because that would ruin the surprise, but I will say the cops really make this game funny, the things they come up with to stop you is insane. The worlds are massive now. For me, the DC levels seemed cramped at times, not in this game though. Areas are over twice as big, giving you more freedom to pull off insane grinds and awesome jumps.

The music is awesome! I own the JSRF soundtrack, and it’s one of my most played CD’s at the moment. Many of these songs are remixed versions of the Dreamcast’s songs. Many of them are more techno, but they still contain a huge hip-hop feel. ScapeGoat Wax, an artist I have never heard before listening to JSRF, has one great song on here called “Aisle 10” it’s got a great beat, cool vocals, and is very catchy. I caught myself humming the melody quite a bit around the house and at work. Rockin’ the Mic, preformed by The Prunes, is all about what REAL hip-hop is about. None of that rap crap. And that’s why I enjoy the music so much in this game. It’s all true to the hip-hop world, because overall this game is about the streets, and has a big hip-hop influence, so the music should reflect that, and it does. I mean can you image pulling off a grind spraying’ graffiti on the wall listening to country…. I didn’t think so.

An awesome game, with great music, graphics, and a very original concept and story. Jet Set Radio Future, just like it’s predecessor is one groovy game. However, it also seems to have the same fate, as Sega announced they would stop the production of this game due to low sales. A true shame, as this is one of the best games I have played on the Xbox. This is a great game, and I recommend buying the game, or getting the Microsoft bundle pack, which includes this game for free. JET SET RADIO…FUTURE!

Graphics: 4 ½
Gameplay: 5
Music: 5
Replay: 4 ½
Overall: 5 (out of 5)