Jett Rider | PS5 Review

Sometimes publishers like to try to sneak something past paying players when they re-release a game. In some cases this occurs when they obtain a license for a previously published title. In which case they rename the game and add or remove content to make it seem like something new when it's obviously not. Seeing the gameplay preview of Jett Rider gave me Déjà vu  for that very reason ...

I knew I recognized it from somewhere else. Likely from a review I had previously done. Come to find out I wasn't wrong. Jett Rider is basically a castrated version of "Willy Jetman: Astromonkey's Revenge". By that I mean the monkey bits, and funny comic panel intro were removed. I could speculate all day as to why, but one way or another content has been removed, and the game has been renamed. I highly suggest you read my previous review of "Willy Jetman: Astromonkey's Revenge" for insight on Jett Rider as the gameplay remains the same even though story elements were cut. 

Supposing you have now caught up on my previous review, and my verdict of it I will give you my thoughts on this rather unnecessary rebranding that takes away from the developer's original vision. Regardless of the reasoning, be it the offensive nature of a monkey sh*t situation or whatever, there was absolutely no reason to rerelease or redo Willy Jetman. Even if it makes sense from a licensing and publisher standpoint the old game still exists and is more complete than what is now offered through "Jett Rider".

You get the same Solar Jetman inspired salvage based Metroidvania with boss fights, RPG elements, and dry humor. That and new mechanics as well as a new UI display. It still looks good for an indie, and the pixel art definitely helps it to shine through the three available screen filter options (pixel, bilinear, trilinear). That being said, if you own Willy Jetman there's zero reason to double dip. Even if you don't own the original version the version you are getting is basically censored making it less worthy even for you. Unless of course they pulled Willy Jetman from the store and you really want to play this game. 

Sometimes trying to trick your buyers backfires, and in this case with the knowledge I've disclosed it definitely seems like some wool was being pulled over peoples' eyes with the intent to capitalize on cut content. It's honestly shameful, and I saw absolutely nothing wrong with the previous game. Anyone offended by monkey poo humor needs to get a life, and anyone willing to censor their game over something so trivial needs to reconsider their marketing efforts. People like me don't forget what they've played or what they've reviewed. If I hadn't picked up on it someone else would have, guaranteed. 

The Verdict ...

Skip this one out of principle. If you buy it you are buying a butchered product with missing content, and if you own the original version you are double dipping for no real benefit at all.