Jet X2O isn’t the long-awaited next-gen update of Sony’s popular Jet Moto series, but more of a watery homage to SSX Tricky. Instead of colorful racers on snowboards, you have an eclectic cast of characters bashing it out in high-speed arcade-racing action on jet skis. In Jet X2O, you can go solo or against a friend, choose from eight racers on a variety of jet skis, and compete in four game modes. You race on eight extensive, fantasy-based, river venues that are full of jump opportunities and shortcuts. Tight controls help you steer and surf your way into oncoming waves as well as pull off a variety of aerial stunts; however, it’s pretty challenging to pull off the higher scoring combos. The graphics are adequate, but the water effects are more polish than substance for it often seems like the jet skis are just sliding across the screen. There are several instances of pop-up on the horizon, too, which deflate the semblance of a realistic racing experience. Competent voice acting, sound effects, and a decent soundtrack serve their purpose, but don’t deliver anything extraordinary, either. Jet X2O would have appeared more innovative and garnered a higher Fun Factor rating if not for its blatant similarities in presentation, features, competition modes, FMVs, and even screen layouts with SSX Tricky. Such similarities aren’t a detriment, but they do make one pine to play SSX Tricky instead. As it stands, Jet X2O barely holds water as an adequate racing game.
