Jet Set Radio Future
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| Jet Set Radio Future | |
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| Developer(s) | Smilebit |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Release date(s) | February 28, 2002 (NA) March 14, 2002 (EU) |
| Genre(s) | Action |
| Mode(s) | Single player, Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Teen (T) ELSPA: 11+ |
| Platform(s) | Xbox |
| Media | DVD |
Jet Set Radio Future (often abbreviated JSRF), a video game developed by Smilebit and published by Sega, was released near the beginning of the Xbox's lifespan. JSRF is the sequel to the groundbreaking Sega Dreamcast game, Jet Set Radio (or Jet Grind Radio in the US). Even though it was the second in the series, the game did not contain a continuation of the former game's story, but instead was considered to be a streamlined remix of the original game with additional areas and characters included.
Similar to the original, it depicts a future Tokyo where freedom of expression is outlawed. You play a character in the GG's, a gang of rollerblading graffiti artists who skate around Tokyo covering up rival gangs' graffiti, knocking over Rokkaku police, and dancing to the eclectic soundtrack. The game uses the cel-shaded style of animation, and has been widely acclaimed for its unique music stylings, detailed art, and fun gameplay.
Many criticize the game for being too easy compared to the original, Jet Set Radio, partly because the sequel simplified the "tagging" system. Opponents argue that this change helped streamline the game, making for a more enjoyable experience.
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[edit] Gameplay
The goal of Jet Set Radio is self expression and the artistic construction using spray paint. To spray different graffiti, the player must collect "graffiti souls". These items are scattered all around the fictional city of Tokyo. The player can also create their own graffiti, although its predecessor's innovative Internet-based uploading and downloading no longer exists. To progress in the game, different objectives must be completed. These objectives can be races, defeating someone in a "Tagger's tag"(details below), or spraying graffiti in certain places.
To progress in the game, the player will have to spray graffiti all over the area. Mini games include, "Ball hog", in which you must hold onto a ball for 1 lap around the course, "City Rush!", where one must complete one lap around the city, "Graffiti Wars" where players must spray more graffiti than the opponent before time runs out, "flag race", where one must retrieve more flags than the opponent, and "tagger's tag" where the player must cover their opponent with graffiti until he/she concedes.
[edit] Characters
[edit] The GGs
- Corn (Tab)
The leader and founder of team GG. A self-styled genius with a spirited mind.
- Gum
Member of team GG. A perverse lady with the tendency to abandon a guy in 10 minutes after winning his heart.
- Yo-Yo
The game starts with Yoyo trying to gain admittance into the GGs. He loves to tell a lie more than anything else. At one point it seems as if Yoyo had betrayed his allies and was the leader of the cyborg gang, the Noise Tanks. As it turned out it was just one of the Noise Tanks in disguise.
- Beat
A mysterious member of the GGs. Was recruited after losing a race to you down Dogenzaka Hill.
- Roboy
Member of the GGs. A junk robot that was pulled from the garbage by Corn. Foul mouthed and cocky, he teaches you how to survive on the street.
- Combo
Everything about this guy is big. Big skates. Big chains. Big boom box. He joins you after chasing the mutant Poison Jam out of his territory in Shibuya Terminal.
- Rhyth (Mew)
A cutesy free-spirited girl with an outfit to match her style, she joins the GGs after you chase her around and find her in Rokakku-dai Heights.
- Garam
Fly-eyed skater Garam joins the GGs after helping you escape the Tokyo sewage facility.
- Boogie (Piranha)
A disco fly-girl with a tight racing suit, she has a tough but well-meaning spirit and is found after dashing to her as quickly as possible in Kibogaoka Hill.
- Jazz
A lone skater who is mistaken for a member of the GGs and is forced to compete with you in the Death Ball tournament. After you win, you challenge her to a race and win, making her a member of the GGs.
- Cube
Leader of Poison Jam, this mean missy turned foolish skaters who were found in Tokyo Sewage facility into fishy mutant minions. After you defeat her team she briefly appears when you beat the Noise Tanks and then joins you when you beat her at a race around her own lair.
- Soda (slate)
A tall strange looking dude with goggles on his forehead and a long cartoonishly round nose. He is very laid back and is obtained after finding him and racing him at Highway Zero.
- Clutch
Sneaky sarcastic punk who steals your Graffiti Souls. After you hunt him down he joins you.
- Poison Jam
Ugly fish faced gang. After spraying the town with toxic graffiti you followed them into the Sewage Facility and discovered their hideout.
- Rapid 99
Entirely-female gang of 99th street and mortal enemies of Poison Jam.
- Immortals
Mummified street gang of the Skyscraper District and Pharoh Park. Were beaten by the Noise Tanks and took Yoyo hostage.
- Noise Tanks
Evil cyborg gang working with Rokkaku Gouji. Captured you and forced you to compete in a Death Ball tournament.
- Doom Riders
Leather-wearing street gang. Used to be called "Hell's Bikers" until the Rokkaku police caught up with them and beat their skulls so bad they have to wear helmets all the time. The first gang to challenge you in the Noise Tank's Death ball tournament. They lose and have to wear cyborg helmets and become the Noise Tanks slaves.
- Love Shockers
Gang of eyepatch-wearing women. The second team to battle you in the Noise Tank's Death Ball tournament.
[edit] The Rokkaku Group
- Gouji Rokkaku
Owner of the mega-enterprise Rokkaku Group.
- Hayashi
An inspector of Rokkaku Police Division O. A literal madman, destructive and crazed. At first he and his waves of Rokkaku police try to take you down, but after many embarrassing defeats, Hayashi is fired.
- The Rokkaku Police
The faceless blundering minions of Gouji Rokkaku.
- The Golden Rhinos
Mafia style assassins (sometimes disguised as teddy bears) hired by Rokkaku to defeat the GGs after his police fail.
- Zero Beat
Beat's evil robot clone created by Rokkaku Gouji.
- kakashi sentinals
5 guys who use to be part of The Rokkaku Police force,and is now abondoned for fighting with another cop.
[edit] Areas of play
- Garage
- Dogenzaka Hill
- Shibuya Terminal
- Chuo Street#
- Rokkaku-dai Heights
- 99th Street
- Tokyo Underground Sewage Facility
- Bottom Point of the Sewage Facility#
- The Skyscraper District and Pharaoh Park
- Hikage Street
- Kibogaoka Hill
- Future Site of the Rokkaku Stadium#
- Highway Zero#
- Sky Dinosaurian Square
- The Fortified Residential Zone
- Site of Tokyo Line (only available after talking to Zero Beat and before defeating the train)
VS Mode Places
- Secondary Stadium
- Tokyo Underground, regulatory
- Showa Park
- Raden Park
- Tzura Park
- #: featured in VS Mode
[edit] Soundtrack
- Humming the Bassline (D.S. Remix) – Hideki Naganuma
- Aisle 10 (Hello Allison) – Scapegoat Wax **
- The Answer (The Latch Brothers Remix) – Bran Van 3000 **
- Baby-T – Guitar Vader
- Birthday Cake – Cibo Matto **
- Bokfresh – Richard Jacques
- Latch Brother Bounce – The Latch Brothers **
- Fly Like A Butterfly – Hideki Naganuma
- The Concept Of Love - Hideki Naganuma
- Funky Dealer – Hideki Naganuma
- Shape Da Future – Hideki Naganuma
- Statement Of Intent – Bis **
- Koto Stomp – The Latch Brothers **
- Count Latchula – The Latch Brothers **
- Let Mom Sleep (No Sleep Remix) – Hideki Naganuma
- I Love Love You (Love Love Super Dimension Mix) – Guitar Vader
- Rockin' The Mic (The Latch Brothers Remix) – The Prunes **
- I'm Not A Model – Russell Simins **
- Oldies But Happies – Hideki Naganuma
- Me Likey The Poom Poom – The Latch Brothers **
- Rock It On (D.S. Mix) – Hideki Naganuma
- The Scrappy (The Latch Bros Remix) – BS 2000 **
- Sneakman (Toronto Mix) – Hideki Naganuma
- Ill Victory Beat – The Latch Brothers **
- What About The Future – Richard Jacques
- Teknopathetic – Hideki Naganuma
- Like It Like This Like That – Hideki Naganuma
- Sweet Soul Brother (B.B. Rights Mix) - Hideki Naganuma
- That's Enough (B.B. Rights Mix) – Hideki Naganuma
- Grace And Glory (B.B. Rights Mix) – Hideki Naganuma
(** Not included on the official "Jet Set Radio Future: Original Sound Track" CD available from Scitron Records but most can be found on the very hard-to-find "Jet Set Radio Future: Music Sampler" CD from Grand Royal Records)
[edit] Music
As shown above, the music of Jet Set Radio Future was very diverse and the playlist (for its time) was gigantic. The music was played in a premixed format consisting of certain playlists directed to certain levels. The music was in stereo and was not interactive, although there is a jukebox and the end of the game features a song only available through the jukebox. Additionally, the soundtrack introduces artists that are either foreign, not found mainstream or work under gaming liscenses such as Guitar Vader, BS2000, Hideki Naganuma, Scapegoat Wax, The Latch Brothers, and even The Prunes.
[edit] Trivia
- After the game's initial release, it was added alongside Sega GT 2002 onto a single disc and bundled with new Xbox systems. But now, you can buy the bundled game seperately, for about $2 USD ($3 CND)
- The braking method used by in-game skaters to come to a complete stop while travelling at high speeds is called the full-frontal powerslide stop, or powerslide for short. This is a relatively advanced braking method in inline skating
