*A review which is primarily based on the single-player experience of the third-person action-adventure game, Jet Force Gemini.*
Jet Force Gemini sees you taking on the evil tyrant of Mizar in a battle across the universe, and although the story, aimed at children (above the age of eleven ... Read review
No matter how you slice it,Jet Force Geminiis one tough game. But the frustration of ... more
playing this epic is tempered by the sheer magnitude and quality found within. Be forewarned, this run-and-gun action-fest is not for everyone. In fact, novices may be...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Challenging, plenty to explore and shoot Disadvantages: Frame-rate not steady, silly story, cannot skip ship sequences
...of the third-person action-adventure game, Jet Force Gemini.*
Jet Force Gemini sees you taking on the evil tyrant of Mizar in a battle across the universe, and although the story, aimed at children (above the age of eleven - thanks ELSPA), can seem silly in places, the plot twists are simply stupid:
[SPOILERS] When an asteroid is set on a collision course with Earth, an ancient starship is needed as the Jet Force ships ... ...only do the Jet Force Team have to search for the ship parts, but they are also asked to save all of the Tribals - as if this doesn't take time (not the only thankless task which is a pain in the ass)! It's a farce as they would crash the starship on the Asteroid, yet still allow for players to travel to previous stages (though this is welcome). Oh, but the force is strong in this one as the final scenes scream out 'Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope', ... more
*A review which is primarily based on the single-player experience of the third-person action-adventure game, Jet Force Gemini.*
Jet Force Gemini sees you taking on the evil tyrant of Mizar in a battle across the universe, and although the story, aimed at children (above the age of eleven - thanks ELSPA), can seem silly in places, the plot twists are simply stupid:
[SPOILERS] When an asteroid is set on a collision course with Earth, an ancient starship is needed as the Jet Force ships won't be able to get there in time. However, not only do the Jet Force Team have to search for the ship parts, but they are also asked to save all of the Tribals - as if this doesn't take time (not the only thankless task which is a pain in the ass)! It's a farce as they would crash the starship on the Asteroid, yet still allow for players to travel to previous stages (though this is welcome). Oh, but the force is strong in this one as the final scenes scream out 'Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope', except all are awarded a medal. [END OF SPOILERS]
The weapons arsenal can be huge, so scrolling through them can be slow; for the bosses it doesn't help to have the weapons that are ineffective against them in there, and switching to the weapons assigned to the d-pad is awkward. Now, care needs be taken into the consideration of the Capacity Crates, as these are finite. Ammo Crates however, appear again and again. The problem with the standard-issue Jet Force Pistol is that, not only does its charge require refilling after only a few shots, but it also needs topping up as the weapon is reduced to firing weaker shots when out of ammunition. Worst case scenario being a reliance on this weapon - especially when fighting a boss in a form which is incapable of dealing damage to the player. Health and ammo can be replenished by a Service Robot at a Console, and whilst this comes at the cost of Mizar Tokens, these must not be worth much as those taken are replaced on re-entry of an area.
Presentation-wise, Jet Force Gemini is well animated (check those moves out at the end credits) and has great reflections-effects. It can be tricky to determine where the Gems exist though since they are rendered in pixels and appear flat. Sadly the framerate is not too steady, and there is some slowdown as the action heats up. The music, presented in Dolby Surround Sound, really adds to the atmosphere of the game.
The twins Juno and Velo can fire when crouching but not crawling. Of the controller configurations, NORMAL does not give as complete a control as EXPERT. Since the controls can be a handful it would have been handy to have been able to toggle Targeting Mode on and off. As the camera can only be centered, thankfully there are not too many jumps to make in this game. Jet Force Gemini places as much emphasis on exploration as it does on the shooting, and even if the Region Markers are handy, the twist in the story whereby pretty much everywhere needs be searched thoroughly, such that no stone is left unturned, is sure to throw some players off! What slows the game down though is not being to skip the sequences of the ships parking up whenever another stage is selected - the advantage of a game being on cartridge is that there should not be such waiting times.
It was third time lucky for me - the plot twist threw me off first time, and on the second time I was not well prepared for the final fight. Despite this, I found this to be a fulfilling game and thus finished it on my third attempt. Since the single-player game is played to such perfection, it can count on the multi-player modes and mini-games to come up with the replay value. If you can forgive Jet Force Gemini for it's fair share of (3D game) flaws, then it's a sizeable challenge worth tackling.
Advantages: Playable, great graphics, enjoyable and fun Disadvantages: none
...Rare Master Piece that is Jet Force Gemini. There are bits in every game that many of us would like to improve and JFG is no exception, the character jumps using the C-up button, it seems fairly logical as the A and B buttons are used to switch the weapons. But it can be annoying as the N64 pad isn’t very easy to navigate, especially for some young gamers. The main storyline in the game is that the Tribals, little fluffy Teddy bear types have ... ...worried already? I bet you are, but if you have the JFG team on your side you’ll have no reason to be, they are the toughest trio going and nothing will get in their way…but the only way you’ll experience all the action is through Rare’s classic Jet Force Gemini. ...
Ice_Blaster 27.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Jet Force Gemini (N64)
Advantages: Best Graphics on the N64, surround sound music and SFX, excellent gameplay Disadvantages: hard to get into, but ultimately rewarding
...to the previous comments on Jet Force Gemini, the game, like any has good points and bad points. While JFG may not be as instantly accessible as other comparable offerings, I found it a hugely enjoyable game to play.
For one, the graphics are simply the best I've seen on the N64. Perhaps JFG's imagery doesn't quite come on par with some of the latest offerings on the Dreamcast and PS2, but for a 64-bit console, these graphics as good as it gets. ... ...and satisfyingly lengthy to boot. Jet Force defies categorisation into any one genre of game. It is primarily a shoot-em-up, but with a generous dash of adventure, and just the tiniest hint of platformer, true to Rare's roots. This goodly mixture is clearly evident in each of JFG's numerous levels. These aren't labyrinthine and narrow, like so many shooters, but open-plan, spacious, with plenty of room to manouvre. There's the odd section of puzzle-solving ...
mg_45 07.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Jet Force Gemini (N64)
Advantages: Shoot, Shoot, Shoot!!!!!!! Disadvantages: None the best shoot em up out
...limited to one of the Jet Force team, but as play progresses two new characters - female character Vela and Lupus the robotic dog - become available, opening up new areas of the maps and introducing new gameplay elements with their special abilities. Players will need to make the most of these powers, as the screen piles up with hordes of enemies at every turn, making for the most trigger happy N64 game around, while a variety of subgames offer the ...
jambo5000 05.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Jet Force Gemini (N64)
This is what it's all about - a game that incorporates a sense of fun, action, danger, splendid visuals, a stirring soundtrack - it above all reeks of originality.
This is a game that does not benefit/suffer from a legacy or is part of a franchise. Publisher Rare have created a truly ORIGINAL game:A combination of action adventure, puzzle solving and blast 'em up JFG is a huge game set over many worlds that gives it that epic feel that old skool ... ...(SNES) Zelda (SNES) & (N64), Metroid (SNES). The gamer gains an emotional attachment to the characters and worlds they inhabit all meshed together by an excellent narrative. When all is said and done and the last mission accomplished we are left with a sad sense of satisfaction at the end of something truly wonderful. A gamer's game. ...
cecchi 13.02.2001 (17.02.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Jet Force Gemini (N64)
Advantages: Multi-player and everything about it Disadvantages: The actual game
I will not deny the fact that the graphix and sound of this game are high on any chart but the one thing I didn't like was the actual one-player game itself. I found it annoying, the controls are awkward and the enemys look stupid. Then there is the light at the end of the tunnel - multi-player! The multi-player option gives this whole game a golden glow. It is smooth, exciting, well designed, the controls are brilliant, the weapons are plentiful ... ...sniper at your friends or simply hang off the end of a building until they come close then jump up and BLAM!!! I think that the multi-player alone is a good enough reason to buy this game and I have spent many a night sat around a TV with friends bashing buttins and laughing when someone suddenly get's hit. With this game and four controllers, all you have to worry about is having enough friends. ...
Jedd69 29.11.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Jet Force Gemini (N64)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Nintendo 64
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When Rare turned down the licence to make a game based on 'The World is Not Enough' in order to make their own game, we all knew it would be a wonder. With the imaginations of some of the very best game designers in the world free to create anything they liked, how could this game possibly be anything but Perfect?
The plot of Perfect Dark, though perhaps a little far-fetched (it is 2023, you know) is full of twists and turns, and not by any means merely an excuse for shooting. The graphics are quite incredible; they really do push the N64 about as far as possible for its slightly aging technology, just as JetForceGemini did. Unlike Goldeneye, every gun now has a seamless reload animation, which unfortunately takes rather too long. Real time lighting means that areas are light up by sporadic gunfire, and you can even shoot lights out ...
