Jet Set Radio Future Review (Xbox)

Jet Set Radio Future is one of the most underrated games on the Xbox. There is so much style and personalit in this game that it is almost impossible not to enjoy it. Tight gameplay, gorgeous graphics, and an excellent soundtrack all add up to an amazing experience.

Ever since Jet Grind Radio debuted on the Sega Dreamcast and introduced cel-shading to the world, the graphical style has appeared in dozens of games from RPGs to racing games to adventure games. Most of the time, however, the gameplay takes a backseat to the graphics and you end up with a pretty game that doesn't play all that well. Jet Set Radio Future and its prequel Jet Grind Radio are pretty much the only games to really take full advantage of cel-shading but also provide an outstanding gameplay experience.

The game takes place in the city of Tokyoto and you are a member of a skate gang that marks its territory by spray painting its logo all over town. Graffito-tagging is looked down upon by the police, and other skate gangs try to take over your territory. A pirate radio station called Jet Set Radio updates you on what is happening in the city so you can protect your territory and steer clear of the police.

The actual gameplay is sort of like a simplified version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. You skate around on inline skates and can grind and do tricks off of pretty much anything. It all happens automatically, so THPS vets might find it a bit too simple. There are several points on each map that you have to get to and spray graffiti, but finding how to get to these points is what makes the game fun because you have to find the right combination of rails and ramps to get there. Its all fun once you get the hang of it.

JSRF is excellent.