Game story · NexWave Games
Graffiti on inline skates: the world of Jet Set Radio Future
A railing can be the start of a route in Jet Set Radio Future. You jump on it, slide past a building and start looking for the next place to continue. The city was made for reading on rollerblades. Graffiti and music give that movement its own character. This means that this Xbox game remains interesting for those who want to discover a different form of action.
A future with its own face
Developer Smilebit built an enlarged Tokyo-to, with busy streets and routes that also go up. In interviews, the makers said that their visual language was fueled by Japanese animation, American comics, pop art and everyday packaging, among other things. The drawn appearance is part of that broad collection of influences.
As a player you can look at this in a simple way: pay attention not only to the characters, but also to colors, shapes and the layout of the city. The environment tells a lot before a conversation starts. She gives the movements a backdrop that remains recognizable even in a still image.
The route is the interesting part
The original SEGA manual explains that you can grind on railings, cables and edges. You connect different parts of a route with jumps and short movements along suitable walls. The challenge therefore often arises when looking ahead. A handy leash maintains your speed and brings you to a higher spot within reach.
A first attempt does not have to be neat. Choose a clear part of an area and try the same line again. You will see better where you need to push off and which transition requires space. That gives a different satisfaction than just completing an assignment: a previously clumsy journey can slowly become a fluid movement.
Graffiti gives direction to driving around
The spray spots require a supply of paint cans and a good position. Some designs consist of multiple marks. According to the manual, you can keep moving past such places as you complete them. Decorating a wall fits within the rhythm of your route.
Project leader Masayoshi Kikuchi said the team wanted to make the action faster and more accessible. The smoother method of spraying fits in with this. The city requires you to look, react and keep moving. For a first introduction, it is therefore useful to take the basic exercises seriously before trying to imitate complicated lines.
Music as part of the world
DJ Professor K presents the pirate station Jet Set Radio and connects the world with his distinctive voice. The story pits street culture against the influence of the Rokkaku Group. Music is therefore more than just a random background: the radio is part of the way this city presents itself.
When listening, it sometimes helps to cross an area without haste. Notice how the sound coincides with the style of a place and with your movements. You don't have to know the soundtrack by heart to understand why a route with music makes a different impression than the same route in silence.
A private entrance to the original Xbox
Jet Set Radio Future is a good reminder of the diverse ideas on the first Xbox. This game focuses on movement, design and getting to know an environment. Kikuchi described the design as a new interpretation of the concept, with room to explore a futuristic Tokyo.
Anyone starting out should first explore the garage and the basic techniques. Once the controls feel more familiar, the city becomes more readable. A high edge is not just decor, but an invitation to find out how to get there.