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Yeeeeeeeeee
Haaaa!!!
Another racing game!!! For racing game fanatics such as myself,
the last few months have proven to been a video gaming nirvana for us
Playstation owners. What, with great racing games like Wipeout XL, F1, Andretti
Racing, Destruction Derby 2, Motor Toon GP and now Jet Moto just being released,
I can't think of a better time to be a racing fan.
Jet Moto implements a somewhat origninal concept of using
multi-terrain hover craft type vehicles to race with. With these "wave
runner" styled vehicles you get to navigate over all kinds of track
conditions from gravel to water, from asphalt to ice. It doesn't stop
there...pieces of the courses are often missing, forcing you to time turns and
turbo activations or face falling off the course. The action is non-stop and
the competition fearce...think you can handle it???
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Jet
Rider is a frantic multi surface racing competition that allows you to tear up
tortuous stretches of ocean, swamp and snow covered mountain side as you strap
yourself onto a cross between a jet ski, a motocross bike, and a rocket. The
object of the game is to compete against 19 other riders through championship,
rally and elimination races on a futuristic Jet Bike that flies, bucks and
manoeuvres like nothing seen before in a game.
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For
anyone familiar with Single Trac's past offerings (Warhawk, Twisted Metal 1 &
2), this game has the same signiture graphics. I would term it; detailed
graphics with a somewhat grainy look. Don't get me wrong, the graphics are very
much 2nd generation but Single Trac games, to me, always seems that you are
looking at their games through a defuser or something. Anyway, the characters
and bikes are nicely colored and plastered with advertisements, as are the
tracks and background scenary.
Another nice thing is that there is
virtually never any slowdown to be found in this game. The screen action is
blazing and never lets up. There is also very little of the famous Playstation
popup. It seems that these 2nd gen titles have found a way of addressing this
little nuisance. As far as the animations go...well, there is a hell of a lot
going on while you race. Animated billboard signs decorate the courses flashing
advertisements for Butterfinger, Nestles and Mountain Dew products, to name a
few. Gravel kicks up, ofter momentarily blinding you and the water effects,
while not as good as say Waverace 64, are very well done and play an intricate
part of the game. If you look closely while you are cruising in the water, you
will notice that there are calm spots in the water that will allow you to
increase your speed and handling. This adds a nice touch of realism.
The
character animations are also very well done. All in all, aside from a few
graphic breakup glitches (polygon white-out), everything is top notch.
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The
sound effects are crisp and well defined. You cruiser sounds like the well
oiled machine it should be and the other various sound effects blend perfectly
in with the gameplay (just wait until you fly off the cliff in the ice
course...the echo effects of your character screaming is a riot!). The music is
what really shines though...It's kind of a crose between Pulp Fiction meets the
surfer scene. Great guitar riffs highlight this original soundtrack and match
the game perfectly.
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The
gameplay aspect of this title provides a great deal of depth. When you start
the game you are presented with a selection of 20 characters, and four different
teams to choose from. Each character has his or her own characteristics and
bike styles. Some bikes handle better than others while some are faster or have
a higher top end, while still others are heavier. Depending on how you wish to
race, character selection is extreemly important. A light bike will handle well
and is very fast, but a heavier bike can knock the crap out of it...so unless
you plan on being out in front every race, the lightest bike is not necessarily
the best.
Next you get to select from season or one track races. You
are given 3 tracks to start with and three levels of difficulty. Win the first
season on intermediate level and you are presented with four new tracks. Beat
the next season on the professional level and you are given three more tracks.
Beat all of the tracks and you get into a mode that allows you to perform trick
manuvers for points! This is an excellent idea to add playtime to a game that
you have already defeated. The scoring mode is set up in such a way that you
accumulate points for the position that you place in a race. This way, you don't
need to actually win every race you just need to have the most points by the end
of the season to win.
Handling of the bikes is very responsive and
tight for the most part, but there are some turns that are EXTREEMLY tight. To
make these turns you need to use a special device on your bike called "grapple".
This activates special sensor poles at each of the tight turn locations. The
poles send out a particle beam that grabs onto your bike and helps you to make
the tight corner. If you don't release the grapple at the right moment though,
you can be slammed into the electrified lane boarders! Ouch!!
Ready
for my gripe?? In the two player mode you can only race head to head. While
this is a great amount of fun, it would have been much better if you were able
to race a friend with the whole pack of other racers included! The only reason
that I could think of as to why they left out the rest of the pack was to keep
the frame rate up. But, considering the fact that other games allow for this
mode of play, I figure Single Trac should have been able to figure it out
too...Anyway, this small complaint aside, the game is a blast to play!
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This
game is challenging and lot's of fun to play! You have a wide array of bikes
and characters to pick from. The game is certainly an original concept with
loads of variety and strategy. It's just too bad you couldn't race against the
pack in two player mode. A great racer!
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TOM |
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GRAPHICS: |
Good |
Lot's
of fun and there is also hidden shortcuts to discover on each course. Jet Moto
is a worthwhile addition to the Playstations already impressive selection of
racing games. |
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SOUND: |
Brilliant |
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PLAYABILITY: |
Good |
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VALUE: |
Good |
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OVERALL
8/10 |
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JIM |
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GRAPHICS: |
Average |
It
takes a while to learn how to manoeuver your jet-ski, but its worth persevering.
Some of the tracks are very difficult and will need to be practiced over and
over before you will be able to win, but this just adds to the life-span of the
game. |
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SOUND: |
Good |
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PLAYABILITY: |
Brilliant |
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VALUE: |
Good |
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OVERALL
8/10 |
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