Sega can be relied upon to innovate with fresh ideas; ‘pioneers’ of the industry, if you will. So stealing the premise of Mario Party and the graphics of Jet Set Radio seems an odd stratagem. The more sceptical amongst you may even call this a ‘cash in’. You’d be right as well, damning our optimistic hopes. Damn. Skipping the ludicrously twee plot (save the world by choosing a virtual card, how heroic) we have the boards which aren’t even Sonic based (‘Riot Train?’ Heads will roII for that). Despite their being several routes and side quests, such as saving a dolphin, they are a complete waste of time; losing you the game and rewarding you with nothing. Battles are dull, as is movement using a card system which deadens the pace furthermore. A single game can last hours without going anywhere. To freshen the formula Sega have added ‘Forcejewels’. There are dozens of them, all confusing and by the time facts are substantiated you won’t care. After a pub session and filled with grog it won’t make sense either and your mates will retch on their joypads. The actual mini games are the only redeeming feature even though the repetition of the accidents will make you weep. Others are also monotonous and we have the genius of Robotnik reduced to shaking a cola can, to explode in the face of a furry mammal. How devilish. However the majority of them are slightly decent but they can’t prevent the title from designation: bargain bin.
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