Are you ready
for some high-flying, trick-performing, water-racing action? Then look no
further than Jet X2O,
a watercraft racing game from the same publisher that brought you the Jet Moto
series. Jet X2O
is being developed by a different
studio — Killer Game — but Jet Moto’s better qualities (speed, large tracks
with shortcuts, etc.) are all present in this game. You’ll also find
qualities of Wave Race 64, Splashdown and ATV Offroad Fury in this excellent
title.
Jet X2O
begins with a gorgeous menu screen
that demonstrates the game’s outstanding water technology. The water calmly,
peacefully sways, showing some of the most impressive liquid textures to
date. Not surprisingly, this aesthetic masterpiece sets the mood for what
turned out to be an exceptional demo; and is a good indication of what’s to
come in the final version.
Gorgeous
graphics were expected, so I’ll get into the visuals later. What really
matters is the gameplay, and let me tell you,
Jet X2O
delivers! Any fan of ATV Offroad Fury will be compelled from the start, since
the gameplay is very, very similar. The trick system will instantly remind
you of ATV, as well as Splashdown. All of the shoulder buttons function as
trick "starters;" that is, a button that you hold down to prepare for the
performance of a trick. While holding down, say, L1, you could press up to
perform a NacNac (both hands on the handlebars; right leg in the air, leaning
towards the right). The longer you hold the trick in position, the more
points you’ll earn. Of course, that’s not easy to do when you’re falling, but
as you get better at jumping off ramps, you’ll be able to gain more air and
perform longer tricks.
As revealed in
my interview with
Kolbe Launchbaugh (producer of the game),
Jet X2O
is not big on buoys. You can drive wherever you want, whenever you want (so
long as there’s water — you can’t move on land). There are check points,
which fill up a power meter than can be unleashed any time by pressing the
square button (similar to SSX).
I love how the
riders react to a crash. They don’t simply let go of the handlebars and let
themselves fall in the water; they hang on for dear life! When slammed into a
large rock, the rider will flip over the front of his watercraft, nearly
falling off (a la every other jet ski racer out there). But in this game, the
riders continue hanging on. They’ll then swing around and pull themselves
back onto the watercraft. It may not sound like much, but trust me, it is
very cool.
Jet X2O
‘s water is more transparent, and a
little less textured (than Splashdown), creating a unique mix of water effects
that will impress you just as much as last year’s great aquatic racers.
Ripples are less common, but the water never, ever stops moving. It’s a very
subtle realistic effect that can’t be fully described in words. Certainly, I
can tell you that the trees’ shadows create a wavy dark spot that drenches the
water in even more realism. I can tell you that the splashing effect is
nearly jaw-dropping; and I can tell you that transparency of the water looks
really amazing, especially in motion. But no screenshot or movie or even this
preview will be able to describe
Jet X2O
in great enough detail. There’s just too much to see, so you’re going to have
to play this one for yourself. I’m sorry to impose, but really, it’s the only
way. You’ll thank me later.
Only one track
was included on the demo, so this is likely only a taste of what the full
version has to offer. No matter what, Killer Game deserves a ton of credit
for creating water effects that are not only greatly different from the
competition, but are truly great.
More beautiful
and more entertaining than Splashdown? That has yet to be determined. One
thing is for certain though:
Jet X2O
will turn a lot of heads when it splashes onto store shelves on October 29th.
