Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is filled with good intentions, it's a tribute to the well beloved franchise Jet Set Radio, the level design is decent for most maps, there are many elements to unlock and places to tag graffitis on, multiple playable characters, on top of that, in addition to the rollerblade, player can also use skate, bmx or even parkour. Despite this blatant generosity, in the end, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is a mile wide and an inch deep.

At its core, it's a game of scoring, with a clever combo system encouraging the player to exploit the whole map, unfortunately, with only 5 or 6 tricks available, it gets redundant really fast. That statement applies to every gameplay, it doesn't matter if the player uses skate, bmx or rollerblade, there is a lack of diversity. Also, each trick is pretty much a one button command, which entails, there is no such thing as satisfaction when a trick is pulled off. There is also no switch mechanics mid combo, players are forced to use specific points of interest, in order to change from bmx to skate for instance. Each character plays the same, there is no difference, the grand total of 20 playable characters is rendered useless.

Another dreadful mechanic in this game is that, whenever the player touches the ground, the combo is lost, to maintain it while on the ground, only one solution exists : manual. So not only the move list is pathetic, but the player must use the manual every single time to travel across the map. Like the rest, the manual is brain dead, easy to perform and last forever if you know how to reset it.

The gameplay loop really emanates no single atom of challenge or fun, and somehow the thing they call story, which is mandatory to unlock maps, achieves being even more third rate. The presence of some good OST doesn't help the whole experience either, considering to play a specific song in game, you have to find and unlock it first.

In conclusion, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk proposes a simplistic and boring experience, some mechanics present so little interest that even banks interest looks more inviting. From the story, to the unnecessary cast of playable characters, to the graffitis that I didn't even feel the need to talk about, the developers wasted too much time and effort on those elements. Meanwhile, the gameplay, the most crucial part remains laughable.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is a spiritual successor and love letter to the Jet Set Radio franchise, so for fans of that series this is an amazing game. The soundtrack, the art style, the gameplay loop, and even so many small details all bring me back to that series and overwhelm me with nostalgia. I think for people looking for that experience, this is the perfect game.

However, as a game that has to stand on its own merits in today's environment, I think Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is still very good, but definitely lacks in some categories. For the positives, the soundtrack of this game is incredible and probably my favorite soundtrack in the last five years. I love riding around the city and having banger after banger playing. The game also runs well and movement feels very smooth, which is definitely important for this kind of game. The character designs are fun and the level design is excellent.

The game does suffer in the graphics department due to its intention to mimic Jet Set Radio. I don't think this is the biggest deal because it is very intentional, and it is done well, but it brings some of the old jank with it. Characters will often clip through things (or themselves) in cutscenes for example. The gameplay is fun, but after awhile can feel very repetitive. It's basically a platformer that uses skating game mechanics for movement, but having those two combined means it loses a little bit of depth from either side. The story is fine but nothing groundbreaking.

Overall, I am absolutely in love with this game but I have to acknowledge it is definitely influenced by nostalgia. I would still heartily recommend this game to anyone looking for an interesting, stylistic experience or someone who wants a fun platformer.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk masters its style, first and foremost. The cel shaded look, graffiti art, and great soundtrack worked with Jet Set Radio still works here amazingly. Gameplay wise the movement is fun, the loop is addictive, and the story while surprisingly relevant does a nice job at bringing it all together, I was enamored with the first few hours.

But as I played more, I realized a deep rooted problem within the game’s systems, that being simplicity. While it’s learn and play, the combo system is way too basic. The tricks and multipliers are missing an extra layer games similar like Skate 3 have. It’s still fun, but as the maps got stricter with movement it only became more noticeable that something was missing.

I still think Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is worth playing, but I think it’s worth knowing that it is outdone by similar games in some ways.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk é um jogo um tanto quanto estiloso, você é elogiado, punido, perseguido, recompensado tudo por ser extremamente daora.

Os movimentos são fluídos, as pichações são incrivelmente satisfatórias de se fazer e os elemento visuais do jogo combinam muito bem com toda a estética que ele quer passar, é por isso que mesmo com gráficos de PS2 o jogo não consegue ficar feio, porque tudo é trabalhado de uma forma tão harmônica que passa despercebido na hora.

A história foi uma surpresa pra mim, de primeiro momento fiquei com medo de ser só um tapa buraco pra poder ambientar a cidade e ir logo fazer os tricks em corrimões e fiações, mas ela é extremamente bem feita, com diversos plot twists e uma trama extremamente interessante, lembrando um pouco também o Cyberpunk: Edgerunners



O único ponto negativo foi a repetitividade em algumas quests do jogo, é basicamente as mesmas missões em todas as regiões e ficou bem maçante, porque a história tava seguindo um rumo ótimo, mas a gameplay tava ficando um pouco enjoativa.

O que é bem difícil de ficar, afinal você tem diversos personagens, boosts, grinds além de as opções de skins, usar bikes, patins ou skates e por aí vai.

Realmente é um ótimo jogo, caso você esteja querendo jogar um jogo simples só pra passar o tempo e zerar rapidinho, esse é o jogo pra você.

Realises the original vision of Jet Set Radio incredibly. Delivering on everything I wanted that game to be and then some. The movement is so fun and responsive. It’s comparable to the 3D Mario games, where the game would still be pretty fun if you were just moving around in an empty space. Thankfully, you are not in said empty space. Every level boasts rich colours and broad variety. Each one is intricately designed to give the game's incredible movement the jungle gym it needs to reach its heights. Also the music officially goes insano mode (apart from the song that just says “ass” fifty times).

It is kinda pricey though, a £33.50 RRP is ridiculous. I paid 70% of that and it was perhaps still a bit much. Though, I don’t really think something like that should weigh into an assessment of a game’s quality; its just a note.