Besides the jump mechanics, the camera is simply horrible. While it has been updated to support the right thumbstick, there were several instances where I messed up a jump due to it. One of them being when you unlock Mew’s challenge, since you have to jump and land on a small wire. Many times the camera would point above the landing point, so I was never quite certain where I was landing. This is just one of many problems you can expect to face.
Tutorial is Garbage
I don’t know about anyone else, but when I am having problems, I tend to blame myself first. This prompted me to replay the start of the game, but that brief introduction didn’t help. I then attempted to read the how to play page, though it mostly explained the button mapping and story. Finally I found the game’s tutorial, which is hands down the worst I’ve ever played.
The tutorial starts with really basic controls, like how to move. After mastering the basics, it moves onto things covered in the games opening. Since you should already know this stuff, it’s a pretty smooth ride to the next part. Once you finish all of this, you will have to do one last challenge. This final event is doing a 50 trick combo, which you’re expected to figure out on your own. Sadly, it requires a lot of skill or luck and has no place in a tutorial of any kind. Finally, you don’t learn anything new, which makes the mode feel incurably pointless, especially when you consider the game’s opening does a better job teaching.
Horrid Graphics
When Sega announced Jet Set Radio would be in HD, fans were more than excited to play it. However, the game feels like a mix of HD things and original things. To give you an idea, some of the rails look one-dimensional; certain characters look pixelated and similar problems. While some of these things might be acceptable to you, the worst was the town you see in the background of the first area. This is because the background looked literally flat, with no depth what so ever. Naturally, when you compare them to updated objects, like your character, the stark contrast makes them look even worse.
VERDICT
Jet Set Radio might be a quirky game with unique art and story, but it can’t hold up to today’s standards. While you can still have fun playing, don’t expect precise controls or a quality camera. This is a real shame, since it will prevent many from finishing the game or fully experiencing the title. Additionally, the hit and miss art makes the game feel inconsistent, which makes certain errors more prevalent than before. In the end, Jet Set Radio is a game better left as a memory.
[Editor’s Note: Jet Set Radio was reviewed on the PS3 platform. A voucher code was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes.]
