Jet Set Radio, one of Sega's underused gems. Seriously, it boggles my mind why they've only done two games with this series. They're amazing.
The series is called "Jet Set Radio", but the original release in America was titled "Jet Grind Radio". Oddly enough, they changed it back for the sequel "Jet Set Radio Future", which makes you wonder why they changed it in the first place. Anyways, this game was first released in Japan on June 29, 2000, and in America on October 30, 2000. It was original released for the Sega Dreamcast, Sega's last system as a game company. Since then it has been ported into multiple different systems, and is even available on Google Play. It had a sequel as previously mentioned known as Jet Set Radio Future for the Xbox, but it's considered to be less than the original. So, let's get into the aspects.
Gameplay
Oh man...where do we even begin with this? They did so well with this game, it's hard to know where to start.
If I was to sum up this game quickly, I'd say it's a cell-shaded cartoon lovechild of Need for Speed and Tony Hawk Skateboarding games. This will be explained in due time.
The goal of this game is simply to paint the city your color. In other words, to spray graffiti over everything. In the town of Tokyo-to, as they call it, domination by gangs of the city is decided by graffiti. Whoever covers the city in their graffiti claims it as their turf. This may sound like a boring concept, but trust me...this game is anything but boring.
The Tony Hawk game part is related to your main method of movement and being awesome in this game...your roller blades. However, these are no ordinary roller blades. While it isn't really explained, they are mentioned to have magnetic properties that somehow allow you to move much faster, get more air, and do all sorts of awesome things.
You can do all sorts of tricks in this game. From front flips, to grinding on rails, to skating backwards...you name it. However, this isn't just for fun. You see, you can't just graffiti anywhere you want. To complete each level, you have to cover all the areas with red arrows pointing at them to beat the level. However, most of the areas aren't just right in front and up for grabs. You have to actively search for them, and some can ONLY be reached through doing a specific trick.
Oh...and don't think you can just spray easily either. While some areas are covered with a simple press of the L button, larger areas aren't so easy. When you press L by a large area, you have to do a specific combination of joystick movements. It's quite similar to Street Fighter, where you have to get used to the feel of the joystick on the controller to do the move right...you have to get the move pretty spot on to count it. If you miss, you go back to the beginning of the combo, and lose a spray can. Not fun. Oh, and you thought that was it? Oh man...this is the easiest part about this game.
This is the Need for Speed part. While Tokyo-to is full of gangs, that doesn't mean the towns like it. There is plenty of law enforcement here.
THIS IS NO ORDINARY LAW ENFORCEMENT! Generally, they'll just send a few officers to take on one guy who's spraying graffiti all over. But this town has gotten so sick of it, that they've pulled off the gloves. Not only will you have to face large numbers of officers, but they will send in SWAT team members, Helicopters with missles, and even A FREAKING TANK!!! And while you may be a member of a gang, you don't have guns or anything, so all you can do is RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!! And law enforcement is everywhere too...
Oh, and did I mention that this game is TIMED? That's right, not only do you have to find all the graffiti spots, get enough cans to do them all, and avoid large numbers of law enforcement, but you have to do it under a time limit! Wouldn't that make this game insanely annoying and difficult? Well, next up is the difficulty section.
Difficulty
Despite sounding really difficult, it's actually quite well balanced. While any non-gamer who picks this up will certainly have a rough time, it's not too difficult for regular gamers.
It will be hard at first, I can guarantee it. It's difficult to get used to the momentum, and the controls and camera aren't perfect. However, after spending some time with the game, you get used to the momentum, and then it gets much simpler. Once you become comfortable with the controls, this game becomes really fun and while not being way too hard, it's challenging enough for those that want it.
Graphics
The graphics fit the Dreamcast system PERFECTLY, and even on other systems it stands out. The cell shaded graphics and art style work perfectly with the feel of the game. It puts away from simply being "another Tony Hawk game", and becomes something more.
Music
The music fits with the game just as much as the graphics do. It keeps the funky feel, and really makes you feel awesome doing those tricks. It's almost as if it literally puts you in their shoes, and really captivates you, making the overall experience something to behold.
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8l4qIEABqY
Characters
Oh man...the characters...this is probably what I looked forward to talking about the most. I LOVE the character designs for this game.
You don't start out with everyone in the GG crew. As you progress through the game, whether by meeting certain requirements, or through the story you get rival challenges. The first possible challenge is essentially a "follow the leader" kind of thing. You have to do exactly what they do, and if you stray far from their path, you fail. You do three different rounds, and if you pass them all, they join you.
The next possible challenge, which is only for three of the characters, is a tag race. You have to reach the tagging spot and spray it before your opponent. It's one long race, and if you win, they join.
Each character is unique in both personality and design. Every time you select a character, they each do a bunch of quick cool moves that only they do before you start the level. They each have different voices and sayings, and each are quite different. It's not hard to find a character that fits you best. Oh yeah, their stats are different too.
There really isn't a main character, but there is the narrator: Professor K. He's the DJ of the pirate radio station known as Jet Set Radio (thus, the name). After you complete each level, you get a small cutscene with him explaining what's going on around town and pushing you through the story. It's pretty cool, honestly.
Overall Rating: 10/10
I'm not sure I've ever given a game a 10/10 before...but I seriously can't give anything else for this game. As hard as I try, while there are improvements and things they could've added to this game (like multiplayer...), there isn't anything really wrong with this game. It's a unique, and original idea, and the music, graphics, and gameplay all merge almost perfectly together, making you feel like you really are a member of a graffiti gang, out to claim the city of Tokyo-to and to show the world your awesome skills. Right on!!!!
Next: My friends as Jet Grind Radio Characters
I'm betting you it's one of those games people look at and go, "Good Grond, rollerblading and vandalism! SHAME!" or "Loox laym, derez no gunz."
ReplyDeleteI should try it sometime...
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ReplyDelete(not liking the no editing)
DeleteMy first thoughts after reading this:
I want to play a game; you have ten minutes to paint graffiti at thirty marked locations in the city. While you are doing this, the army will be trying to kill you. If you fail, you fail. Good luck.
Also, they send police, SWAT, helicopters, and tanks at you, but they hold back the IRS?! They've caught some of the good-at-flitting (aka avoiding arrest) criminals. Aka, you in-game.