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JET SET RADIO FUTURE (XBOX)
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Publisher: SEGA.
Developer: Smilebit. Released: March 2002 (Europe). Genre: Skating. Posted 29th December 2021. By Shane Battams © 2021 |
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After proving one of the most sublime, distinctive titles on the Dreamcast, Jet Set Radio would find a new home on Microsoft’s powerful machine with its follow-up Future, launching alongside the console in Europe. Smilebit would take a bigger-is-better approach, with more areas to explore, a large list of activities and a massive visual upgrade. While these changes could have threatened to overwhelm, this Jet Set retains much of what made the original so noteworthy: a wonderfully individual style, bolstered by an incredible soundtrack that meshes with mechanical finesse and a steady difficulty curve that rewards determination. In simple terms, it’s a must for any burgeoning Xbox collector.
In the future Tokyo-to, the dominant Rokkaku Corporation oppress both freedoms of speech and expression, leading to rebellious gangs spray painting around the city. One such group is the GGs, who begin initiation for newbie Yoyo. After said introduction, its up to you to battle competing rivals such as the monstrous Poison Jam, as well as some new threats that emerge later in the story. All the while, players are cheerfully fed exposition by pirate DJ Professor K. It’s a similar setup to the last game, including an obsessive cop who pursues you with scene-chewing glee, a few twists and plenty of additions to your gang, a cheery enough setup which should please fans of the first game.
In the future Tokyo-to, the dominant Rokkaku Corporation oppress both freedoms of speech and expression, leading to rebellious gangs spray painting around the city. One such group is the GGs, who begin initiation for newbie Yoyo. After said introduction, its up to you to battle competing rivals such as the monstrous Poison Jam, as well as some new threats that emerge later in the story. All the while, players are cheerfully fed exposition by pirate DJ Professor K. It’s a similar setup to the last game, including an obsessive cop who pursues you with scene-chewing glee, a few twists and plenty of additions to your gang, a cheery enough setup which should please fans of the first game.
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JSRF takes advantage of the Xbox's additional grunt to provide an impressive, open and interconnected playing space
Like before, Jet Set Radio Future sees you inline skating around a handful of Tokyo-to districts while covering up rival gang sprays with your own. Collecting spray cans dotted around the environment allows you to do this, with a variety of tag sizes requiring more cans. This aspect is somewhat streamlined, as instead of pausing to complete larger tags, these simply require multiple spray points while allowing for free movement. Controls again feel tight, with perhaps an overly generous grind system the only quibble. New touches include being able to rotate while tricking, performing an instant-stop with a sharp powerslide and being able to grind up poles are welcome additions, smoothing the already great gameplay even further.
Thanks to the Xbox’s potent hardware, areas are now interconnected, with the player free to move between them without a time limit. This sounds like a downgrade, but there’s a plethora of challenges available in each area. Whether it’s spraying tags, recruiting new characters by following their line or dealing with police ambushes, it offers a varied lot that feels consistent and cohesive thanks to the open-world style. Though the general difficulty steadily builds, there’s a ton of exploration challenges that require skill to overcome. Hidden tapes reveal a slew of tough objectives which reward Graffiti Souls, collectible souls demand skilled platforming and keen exploration to discover and endgame races prove harder to overcome. The main story easily clocks over 15 hours this time and with so much to uncover, it could easily last you double that.
Thanks to the Xbox’s potent hardware, areas are now interconnected, with the player free to move between them without a time limit. This sounds like a downgrade, but there’s a plethora of challenges available in each area. Whether it’s spraying tags, recruiting new characters by following their line or dealing with police ambushes, it offers a varied lot that feels consistent and cohesive thanks to the open-world style. Though the general difficulty steadily builds, there’s a ton of exploration challenges that require skill to overcome. Hidden tapes reveal a slew of tough objectives which reward Graffiti Souls, collectible souls demand skilled platforming and keen exploration to discover and endgame races prove harder to overcome. The main story easily clocks over 15 hours this time and with so much to uncover, it could easily last you double that.
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Being both the most technically impressive and visually distinctive title of the Xbox’s launch, Future still looks stunning almost two decades later. The cel-shading is crystal-clear, with colours that pop and smoother animations especially during tricks. A doubling of the frame rate is mightily impressive, even if some sequences cause slowdown. Locales all look noteworthy, from the vibrantly lit Shibuya Terminal that’s teeming with vehicles and pedestrians to the rundown Kibogaoka Hill. The audio side is equally stellar, with another cracking soundtrack of remixes, original tracks and perhaps the best menu music the console would ever see in the form of “The Concept of Love”. The voicework is peculiarly chirpy and the sound effects are crisper this time around.
Four-player multiplayer is also available, thanks to the Xbox’s quartet of controller ports, though you can also play against CPUs. A handful of modes mostly revolve around the races and challenges you compete in during your solo play. There’s a ton of characters available, unlocked by completing special Test Runs, which are some of the hardest feats in the game. Not unlike the challenges from Jet Set Radio, earning the coveted Jet rating often rewards these unlocks for use both in the story mode and multiplayer. It’s a fun diversion, but the multiplayer isn’t going to occupy your time the most.
Four-player multiplayer is also available, thanks to the Xbox’s quartet of controller ports, though you can also play against CPUs. A handful of modes mostly revolve around the races and challenges you compete in during your solo play. There’s a ton of characters available, unlocked by completing special Test Runs, which are some of the hardest feats in the game. Not unlike the challenges from Jet Set Radio, earning the coveted Jet rating often rewards these unlocks for use both in the story mode and multiplayer. It’s a fun diversion, but the multiplayer isn’t going to occupy your time the most.
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Jet Set Radio Future is a stellar sequel that expands on the brilliance of its unique predecessor. The upgraded presentation is incredible, the refined mechanics are still a ton of fun and little tweaks ensure it stands apart from JSR while keeping what made it so special. When you consider all the unlockables and challenges, it’s a game that should remain spinning in your Xbox for some time. Those looking for a beautiful and compelling addition to their Xbox library should snap this one up without hesitation.
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VERDICT
"Jet Set Radio Future is a stellar sequel that expands on the brilliance of its predecessor, thanks to upgraded presentation and refined mechanics." OVERALL: 9/10 |