Jet Force Gemini

"A modern day classic"

Well well well...Rare has done it again. Rare has created a modern day classic, a game above all others in every way imaginable. It's a pity this game didn't become very popular in comparison to games such as Ocarina of Time and Perfect Dark. No, this game mostly resembles games such as Hybrid Heaven and Super Smash Bros., both of which became more and more popular as rumor spread. (I also add that I became a fan of the latter two before they even became reputable) And so, I now begin...

Control: 10/10
The characters move with grace and offer a wide variety of maneuvers. Characters can roll, shoot, shoot and run, shoot run and aim, jump, and switch perspectives from 3rd to 1st person with relative ease. You have complete control over your character and find yourself not yelling at the game or controller, because you know it's your fault when the character falls off a cliff or whatever. Quick and responsive controls make for a big plus in this category.

Graphics: 10/10
Easily some of the most beautiful textures the N64 has to offer. (Though not much compared to recent days, I'm afraid) The lighting is superb, and the cartoony feel of the characters will undoubtedly surprise some into thinking this is a kiddy game. Very cute and lovable creatures. Even some of the baddies are laughable when considering their creepiness value. Fresh ant blood streaked and splattered across the walls definitely take away the kiddy factor. However, like I say, this game is completely underrated and surprising in multiple aspects. Considering the limited power of the 64 and space available in cartridges, I say they fit a good amount of eye candy to enamor even the most tech crazed gameplayer.

Music/Sound: 9/10
The music is very fitting. No doubt. I found myself cranking the volume up on my TV on many occassions. Beautiful music, flowing perfectly with the story and not too sci-fiish. No techno freaky kind of music here. As for the sound, the mechanical beeping, humming, etc in some of the spaceship areas are appropriate and not exaggerated. The ants' death growl is, needless to say, awkward. Nevertheless, you can almost imagine that's the way an ant would sound like dying if it were many, many, many times its size. I don't know, maybe it's me.

Originality: 7/10
This takes place of the story, but adds the fact of originality to it, which I consider very important and similar to the storyline. How might I say this, unique? It's like Starship Troopers, but unlike the terribly flawed movie, JFG actually has a decent storyline behind it. However, the fact that a sci-fi game where the hero(s) receive a distress signal seems very done already. In fact, Metroid did that in the gaming industry, back in '87 (I think) So its originality rating goes through the floor. However, the nice little plot twist at the end will completely broadside even the most experienced and seasoned of players. It's always the butterfly.....no one ever suspects the butterfly.....

Gameplay: 8/10
Awesome. Just awesome. Blasting ants into smitherines and hopping from ledge to ledge in a barren canyon with only a jet pack and limited fuel to prevent you from falling to your death is fun. I have never thought the dismemberment of ants could be so entertaining. But then again, that's what this whole world revolves around on these days. The puzzles are....nonexistent. Well, they are very simple to say the least, but you will undoubtedly find yourself replaying most missions just to rescue all the furry Tribal creatures instead of solving elaborate and frustrating puzzles. But believe me, rescuing these little furballs is no easy task, especially when they're being held hostage by a huge beatle-like creature. Dying is almost impossible. You have 3 lives to end a mission, where 1 should have sufficed. After your 3rd death, you restart at the beginning of the mission. Well deserved. Anyone doing this should very well not be playing this game if multiple lives are needed. This game is very easy but very large at the same time. Finding all the weapon and health upgrades adds as you MIGHT need all the health you can get for the bosses, which I say again, should not require the 3 strikes and you're out penalty. Fortunately, the game requires you to die 0 times in order to beat a boss. After you die, you begin from ground zero and the boss is back at full health, again, well deserved.

Replay Value: 5/10
I give the game a 1, but I also give it a 10. So, I combine the two and they level out to 5. Allow me to explain. The 1, because there's not much to do after you FULLY complete the game other than....... here is the 10, blast enemies over and over again, and collect all the Expert Medals on the Floyd missions. They give you multiplayer options but are more worthwhile for bragging rights other than anything else. This game's just too much fun to let sit and collect dust on the shelf. You will undoubtedly put this game down for awhile but feel the urge to play the game through again after awhile. Buy this game, because renting it would basically suck up half of what it's worth nowadays. Nevertheless, a top notch game on a system that is very much dead now. If you haven't picked up a copy, do so now. This message will self destruct in 5 seconds.....

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 10/11/02, Updated 10/11/02