Jet X2O
Posted February 17, 2003
The Plot:
At first glance, "Jet X20" has obviously been done before, with games such as "Splashdown". Its "extreme" attitude has been covered better by games such as "SSX Tricky". However, peer beneath the surface of the game, and many might agree that there are at least some aspects of this game that are easy to appreciate.
The game is a jetski racer that has outrageous characters trying to race each other over 8 water tracks, while also pulling off over 30 tricks. Upon loading, players have a few options: "single event" (jump right in), "world tour" or "big wave". The last option allows the player to zip around a small ocean area to try and perfect the controls and learn more about the game.
If you choose to race, you can choose three different variations: "race mode" (finish as fast as possible), "trick mode" (pull off as many tricks as possible) or "combo" (try to finish first and pull off as many tricks as possible. If you pull off enough tricks, you can still do well in combo mode, even if you don't hit first place. Tricks can be pulled off with the L1, L2, R1 or R2 buttons, with the square button tweaking that trick.
Each track is long and fairly big, with stretches that are rather wide-open, not to mention some short-cuts, additional choices and jumps. Going through the floating barriers that are scattered throughout the tracks gives the player additional boost that can be used right then or later on in the race. Additional players, tracks and other elements can be unlocked as the game goes forward.
Overall, the game almost seems to have an equal amount of positives and negatives. On a positive note, the game controls pretty well and the track design, while not inspired, is fairly good, nonetheless. I liked the ability to pull off tricks fairly easily, but appreciated the way that tricks have to be held to the last second to get the most points. Nothing new, but it works.
Unfortunately, there are also some negatives that must be discussed. Given that this is an "E"-rated title, there is no intense action involved. Although you can bump into them (which isn't really effective at all), there's really nothing that can be done to knock the other riders off their skis. The computer riders are particularly good, too. This is one of those games where if one makes a couple of mistakes during the race, it's awfully difficult to catch up again.
This game really falls under the definition of "average". There's some concerns with it, but nothing really great about it, either. A rental should be in order for those seeking a water-based SSX Tricky or those who are fans of the genre, but that's about it.
Gameplay:
Pretty much everything about the game controlled well. Tricks are easy to pull off (maybe a bit too easy) and the controls seemed appropriately responsive when turning or trying any other movement.
Graphics:
"Jet X20"'s high point is the game's graphics. Although they are not without some flaws, there are also certainly some notable positives. The game's water effects are terrific, as the spray of the water is impressively rendered, as are the waves. The areas surrounding the tracks are not sparse, with trees, hills and other areas. These elements are not particularly detailed (and suffer more upon closer inspection), but remain satisfactory. Character models are fairly well done, as are the trick animations. The main concern is some occasional pop-up during racing. Nothing groundbreaking, but nice in many regards.
Audio:
Although the game's graphics were surprisingly nice, the game's soundtrack is a different story. The music soundtrack is generic hard-driving techno, while the comments by the riders and the announcer are cliches that players will likely feel as if they've heard in many games before. The stereo soundtrack still didn't become too enveloping when played in Pro Logic II.
Conclusion:
The game is rated "E" (Everyone).
Final Thoughts: "Jet X20" doesn't have anything terribly wrong with it, but I didn't find it to be anything terribly involving, either. The graphics are nice and the courses are fairly long, but there's not enough excitement or replay value to recommend this as anything but a rental for fans of the genre.
At first glance, "Jet X20" has obviously been done before, with games such as "Splashdown". Its "extreme" attitude has been covered better by games such as "SSX Tricky". However, peer beneath the surface of the game, and many might agree that there are at least some aspects of this game that are easy to appreciate.
The game is a jetski racer that has outrageous characters trying to race each other over 8 water tracks, while also pulling off over 30 tricks. Upon loading, players have a few options: "single event" (jump right in), "world tour" or "big wave". The last option allows the player to zip around a small ocean area to try and perfect the controls and learn more about the game.
If you choose to race, you can choose three different variations: "race mode" (finish as fast as possible), "trick mode" (pull off as many tricks as possible) or "combo" (try to finish first and pull off as many tricks as possible. If you pull off enough tricks, you can still do well in combo mode, even if you don't hit first place. Tricks can be pulled off with the L1, L2, R1 or R2 buttons, with the square button tweaking that trick.
Each track is long and fairly big, with stretches that are rather wide-open, not to mention some short-cuts, additional choices and jumps. Going through the floating barriers that are scattered throughout the tracks gives the player additional boost that can be used right then or later on in the race. Additional players, tracks and other elements can be unlocked as the game goes forward.
Overall, the game almost seems to have an equal amount of positives and negatives. On a positive note, the game controls pretty well and the track design, while not inspired, is fairly good, nonetheless. I liked the ability to pull off tricks fairly easily, but appreciated the way that tricks have to be held to the last second to get the most points. Nothing new, but it works.
Unfortunately, there are also some negatives that must be discussed. Given that this is an "E"-rated title, there is no intense action involved. Although you can bump into them (which isn't really effective at all), there's really nothing that can be done to knock the other riders off their skis. The computer riders are particularly good, too. This is one of those games where if one makes a couple of mistakes during the race, it's awfully difficult to catch up again.
This game really falls under the definition of "average". There's some concerns with it, but nothing really great about it, either. A rental should be in order for those seeking a water-based SSX Tricky or those who are fans of the genre, but that's about it.
Gameplay:
Pretty much everything about the game controlled well. Tricks are easy to pull off (maybe a bit too easy) and the controls seemed appropriately responsive when turning or trying any other movement.
Graphics:
"Jet X20"'s high point is the game's graphics. Although they are not without some flaws, there are also certainly some notable positives. The game's water effects are terrific, as the spray of the water is impressively rendered, as are the waves. The areas surrounding the tracks are not sparse, with trees, hills and other areas. These elements are not particularly detailed (and suffer more upon closer inspection), but remain satisfactory. Character models are fairly well done, as are the trick animations. The main concern is some occasional pop-up during racing. Nothing groundbreaking, but nice in many regards.
Audio:
Although the game's graphics were surprisingly nice, the game's soundtrack is a different story. The music soundtrack is generic hard-driving techno, while the comments by the riders and the announcer are cliches that players will likely feel as if they've heard in many games before. The stereo soundtrack still didn't become too enveloping when played in Pro Logic II.
Conclusion:
The game is rated "E" (Everyone).
Final Thoughts: "Jet X20" doesn't have anything terribly wrong with it, but I didn't find it to be anything terribly involving, either. The graphics are nice and the courses are fairly long, but there's not enough excitement or replay value to recommend this as anything but a rental for fans of the genre.