Man, did I wish this was a Jet Set Radio spin-off. Alas it is not, and instead we get the retro platforming joys of Jet Set Knights, a Ratalaika and FobTi Interactive joint project launching today on Xbox One, with a staggered launch on PS4 and Switch.
In a premise that feels a little last-century, the king has left the kingdom, which must mean that the kingdom is weak and his daughter, Princess Kitty, is open to attack. You’re one of her four knights, and it’s down to you to protect her. Here’s hoping that Princess Kitty kicks the knights’ asses for being so presumptuous.
From watching the trailer, Jet Set Knights is a single-screen platformer with echoes of the original Super Mario Bros and Bubble Bobble. In an interesting turn of events, it also looks reminiscent of Ratalaika’s own Tamiku, which launched earlier this month.
The Princess sits at the bottom of the screen and waves of enemies will be trying to reach her. You will hack and slash them as they try. It looks like there’s the opportunity for local multiplayer in the form of competitive deathmatches, and a golden egg mode shows that there’s more than just ‘Protect the Princess’ here.
Features include:
- Pick up and play controls
- Choose from four Knights, each with unique abilities
- Save the princess solo or with friends locally
- Unlock secret characters, weapons, and spells
Jet Set Knights nobly steps up to the plate today on Xbox One for £9.99 – discounted to £7.99 for the next two weeks. It dropped yesterday on PS4 in America, while European PS4 owners get it today. It launches on the Switch in Japan on the 24th, and in North America and Europe on the 25th.
Game Description:
The king has gone away for a while, making the kingdom ripe for attack by the forces from the dark underworld. Princess Kitty and her subjects are now in danger! Can you save the day!? Control one of the four brave knights, face hundreds of evil creatures and protect the princess at all costs! Jet Set Knights is an old-school arcade action platformer inspired by classics from the golden age! Experience a new take on the classic with unique tower defense and RPG elements!
