The Final Word game review

Jet Grind Radio -- Sega

R.I.P.
One of the star titles for the Dreamcast, Jet Grind Radio set the bar for real-time cell-shading in video games. Graphically this game is a feast for your eyes, with large worlds, quick action, and lots of colors and details, you can't help but enjoy watching the game. The soundtrack is excellent, probably some of the best music of any game on the platform (and no, I wasn't that impressed with Space Channel 5).

The only knock on this game for me would have to be the play control. While I can appreciate a challenges in the game, some of the moves the title required of you to complete a mission were on the order of me wanting to remind the programmers that the player IS supposed to win eventually! I got so frustrated at one point while playing this game that I just had to turn it off, and I didn't go back to it until after I cooled off a couple of weeks later. Not cool. Finishing the game was a relief, and even though I would not go back for a replay, I love firing up the music from time to time.

One of the nice added features to this title is that you can design and trade your own graffiti with other DC owners on-line. All of this custom graffiti can be used in the game in place of the pre-designed art. Be warned though, custom art eats up a crap load of VMU space.

If you're looking for an in-line skating game on the order of what the Tony Hawk franchise is to skateboarding, go someplace else. Jet Grind Radio is pure fantasy skating. All-in-all, I really enjoyed this game (control issues aside), and would recommend it as an addition to any DC owners permanent collection.

(12/2001)