Jet X2O

What it sets out to accomplish, Jet X20 accomplishes. What it sets out to live up to, it doesn't live up to. A fairly complex watercraft racing game, Jet X20 does not fail because it's a bad idea, or because the game didn't receive the love that all good games should. It fails because its complexity is it's greatest hindrance, preventing the game from being easily controlled, creating a stymied, slow game play.

Jet X20 is a racing game traditional of late. It features 'extreme' characters equipped with a number of powerful, sleek, and stylish racing craft. Large, detailed levels abound, complete with the requisite huge jumps and complex trick system. As it is a watercraft racing game, Jet X20 needs to account for the difference of water from asphalt, and it does this in spades, with some of the nicest looking (if not entirely realistic) water and wave effects that I've seen since the few surfing games released earlier this year.

Yet, even with these features, the game itself is hard to control, with a setup that takes time to learn, but also manages to be completely unforgiving. I'll be the first to admit that I may just suck at this game, but I've got my own mad skillz, plus the testing of Jet X20 by a few friends to back up my appraisal. Only once you've got an excellent handle on tricking, combos, and actually steering your craft will you be able to progress through the game.

As a seeming afterthought, Jet X20 includes a 2 person multiplayer mode, although I don't think it really adds anything to the experience. With its greatest flaw being a watercraft-handling nightmare, I could only suggest this game to those with intense interest in the field, and an abundance of patience.