After I realized {that a} non secular successor to Jet Set Radio was on its manner, I knew I needed to be there day one. Its sequel, Future, is definitely one of many highlights of the Xbox period for me, and I’ve very fond reminiscences of blading round a classy futuristic Tokyo. Pulling off insane combos and methodically tagging every space with graffiti are a few of my most interesting gaming reminiscences. It was a really particular expertise that no sport has come remotely near replicating since.
Nicely, till Bomb Rush Cyberfunk that’s. Whereas it’s not Jet Set Radio 3 in identify, it clearly goals for that lofty peak. And, it comes remarkably near pulling it off. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk will get a lot of the system proper, and even advances it in quite a few alternative ways. However, for my cash, it simply doesn’t fairly stick the touchdown.
For a begin, the visuals appear way more decided to emulate the previous than genuinely impress in 2023. In equity, it is a low funds indie sport, however the artwork model does go away so much to be desired. The environments are fairly drab, and, whereas various, fail to go away any lasting impression. To at the present time, I can nonetheless keep in mind Shibuya Downtown and the neon-soaked 99th Road from Future.
It’d simply be rose-tinted glasses, however I simply don’t imagine I’ll keep in mind any of the degrees in Bomb Rush Cyberfunk even in a couple of week’s time. Which may have one thing to do with the very fact it appears extra all in favour of emulating areas from the unique video games than hanging out by itself. That may be nice if the artwork model, lighting, and visuals had been at the very least on par with the unique, however they’re merely not.
The Visuals Are Too Decided to Emulate the Previous Than Impress within the Current
The character fashions do fare barely higher, despite the fact that, once more, many do look very acquainted. Nonetheless, you may’t actually get cel-shading unsuitable, and every of the designs stands out from the opposite. Every character could be very distinctive in character and look, and I fairly loved taking part in as every of them to see how the gameplay differed.
Which brings us properly to an space through which Bomb Rush Cyberfunk does excel in, and even perhaps surpasses Jet Set Radio and its sequel: the gameplay. It completely nails the texture of the unique video games whereas pushing it ahead in key methods. Pulling off large combos stays immensely satisfying, and truly jogged my memory of the early Tony Hawk video games.
It additionally helps that Bomb Rush Cyberfunk introduces a couple of new modes of transport to get round in. You possibly can play in rollerblades just like the OG, however there’s additionally a skateboard and BMX. Functionally, they’re an identical however the completely different tips you may carry out helps to make them really feel completely different. That was one of many largest joys I had taking part in Cyberfunk.
The digicam is vastly superior, despite the fact that it does frustrate at occasions. For probably the most half, I had no subject tweaking it on the fly whereas actually flying between rails, however there have been a couple of events the place I couldn’t fairly discover the fitting angle in time to tug off a tough manoeuvre. An non-compulsory digicam that follows you round can be welcome on these events.
The Plot is Nonsensical Guff
Now, again to the dangerous: the plot. It’s totally nonsensical guff that’s nowhere close to as humorous or charming as the sport appears to assume it’s. It very a lot stays in fan fiction territory and it’s by no means fascinating. It additionally fails to floor you on this planet, which doesn’t assist enhance its lifeless really feel total.
Jet Set Radio Future’s world felt lived in. You actually felt like an outcast blader getting on individuals’s nerves as you rode round, and the police felt like a reliable, authoritarian menace. In Cyberfunk, it feels just like the NPCs are simply window dressing. The police are extra comical than threatening, and never in a great way. I simply felt like after they turned up it was as a result of that’s what the sport wished to occur in that second.
It doesn’t assist that the fight can be terrible. You principally carry out tips when on foot to tug off fundamental fight strikes, then launch the enemies into the air to tag them with graffiti. There aren’t any combos and no actual selection, apart from an enemy that it’s important to enhance into to interrupt its protect. To be honest, fight within the originals was additionally naff, however it is a key space through which Cyberfunk might have progressed the system.
I’m additionally not satisfied that the brand new graffiti system is healthier. Within the authentic you held down the spray can button to tag areas as you soared previous them, however in Cyberfunk you press it as soon as and pull off a QTE-style combo to find out which graffiti artwork you utilize. It’s good within the sense you may’t actually miss a spot even whereas at pace, however it additionally breaks the move of your combos in a manner that the unique model didn’t.
The New Graffiti System Feels Like Change For Change’s Sake
I assume it’s good you can select which artwork you place in every spot, however, total, I simply felt prefer it was a change for change’s sake moderately than a reliable enchancment in gameplay. Nonetheless, it’s good to see some effort made in altering up the system, moderately than merely mimicking the previous. Cyberfunk might have used extra of that.
Total, I positively loved my time with Bomb Rush Cyberfunk. In gameplay phrases, it’s a more-than-worthy successor to Jet Set Radio and Future. It feels very acquainted, simply as enjoyable, and advances the system in a couple of key areas. It’s only a disgrace that it’s a downgrade in virtually each single different space.
The visuals are too decided to imitate the previous than impress within the current, the plot is terrible fan fiction guff, and world feels totally drab and lifeless. Not one of the areas I explored had been memorable, and I had no want to return to any of them as soon as I’d moved on. The result’s a sport that clearly desires to be Jet Set Radio 3, and since we’re all so starved for extra, we’ll lap it up like it’s.
However, finally, it’s less than the identical requirements. I’d positively again Sega giving Workforce Reptile the chance to make a real stab at a Jet Set Radio 3, because the love for the sequence oozes in each display screen, however it wants the massive funds that the sequence deserves. And, a vastly superior writing workforce.
How Does Bomb Rush Cyberfunk Really feel on PC?
This part is written by Adele Wilson who performed the sport on PC.
As Glen talked about above, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is a blast from the previous. It’s actually harking back to Jet Set Radio, and that’s why I used to be drawn into it. It takes the stylistic retro artwork model, catchy hip-hop beats, and the frustratingly difficult combo system.
Now, that’s to not say that the gameplay is dangerous, possibly I’m simply not lower out for such a sport – however that doesn’t imply that I didn’t have enjoyable whereas taking part in Bomb Rush Cyberfunk. In reality, I actually loved it.
Does it Run Nicely on PC?
By way of the way it runs on PC, effectively, I wasn’t overly impressed with the controls. The digicam felt manner too quick at occasions, even after I’d turned the sensitivity all the way in which down by way of the in-game settings. I additionally tampered with my very own mouse to scale back the sensitivity additional, however it didn’t make a lot distinction.
For my part, in the event you’re planning on taking part in Bomb Rush Cyberfunk on PC, it really works greatest with a controller. As quickly as I plugged in my PS5 controller, traversing by the sport felt way more snug. I simply don’t assume such a sport interprets effectively to the keyboard controls.
The sport itself performs effectively on the PC with regards to the body charge and total graphics – however that may solely go up to now when the controls really feel a little bit clunky with out a controller. The colourful colors pop, the animations are seamless, and you may see each little element that was packed in to maintain these old-school vibes.
I nonetheless discovered some points with the digicam after I was making an attempt to get the combos that had been on the trickier facet, however I managed to muddle by.
A Fashionable Tackle an Outdated-Faculty Recreation
After I first sat right down to open Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, I felt like I used to be again on the unique Xbox console taking part in Jet Set Radio once more – however with a barely extra up to date model. I used to be impressed with the cell phone function that lets you learn textual content messages from fellow characters and incorporates a useful reminder of your collected graffiti.
I don’t need to continuously examine Bomb Rush Cyberfunk to Jet Set Radio, however it’s arduous to not when it clearly takes a lot inspiration from the sport. If you happen to loved the latter in your youthful years, I positively advocate making an attempt this sport out, even when it’s simply to relive these previous reminiscences.
Downloads
The nice
Nails the texture of Jet Set RadioGameplay progresses the formulaSolid character fashions
The dangerous
Drab, lifeless worldPoor combatAwful plot
Associated tales
Welcome to The Heritage walkthrough on Gamezebo. The Heritage is a hidden object/journey sport performed on a PC or Mac created by Bruto Memo Leisure and Seven Sails. This walkthrough contains suggestions and tips, useful hints, and a method information on the best way to full The Heritage.
Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas is an motion journey sport by FDG Leisure. On this sport, you tackle the function of an unnamed hero as he seeks the reality behind his father’s disappearance by exploring the islands and dungeons of his world. Gamezebo’s walkthrough will give you detailed pictures, suggestions, data, and hints on the best way to play your greatest sport.”
