This is the only GT-style game that allows the player to select their opponents directly. Unlike the original game, there are no works cars to win anymore, even though old racing cars can still be won from races. Some prizes are "special prizes" that can only be won by doing a certain objective. The game makes use of a "damage meter" in lieu of rendered damage, but while it does not affect the handling, it will reduce the awarded prize money at the end of the race. When the player finishes the race with the car unscratched, the game will award a bonus cash prize. In turn, the player will either finish with more or less than the prize money advertised, depending on the meter. Unlike Gran Turismo, the license tests are merely timed laps, instead of separate tests focusing on specific elements of driving.
Jet Set Radio Future plays similarly to Jet Set Radio in which the player controls a member of a gang of inline skaters called the GGs to gain control of a futuristic Tokyo. Players can skate, grind on rails and even up poles, ride on walls, perform mid-air tricks and use boosts to move faster.[2] Most of the game requires the player to search for graffiti tags left by other gangs and spray over them with their own. To do this, players will need to collect spray cans littered across each stage. Spraying is more streamlined from the last game, with manual spraying over large tags replaced by multiple spray targets depending on the tag's size.[2][3][5] Unlike Jet Set Radio, there is no time limit and spray targets can be completed at any time.[5]
Stages in the level are now interconnected, with time limits removed, and often feature multiple objectives.[5] These range from mimicking a rival's trick line or beating other skaters in a race.[5] The police, who previously chased after the player in the last game, now appear in specific areas, with the player tasked with stopping them by charging into them and spraying them to defeat them.[6][7][8][9][10][11] Each area has hidden items to collect, including Graffiti Souls, which unlock new graffiti designs, and Hidden Tapes which unlock additional missions where more Graffiti Souls can be earned.[12][13][14] The game also features several multiplayer modes[15] and the option to design one's tags.[16]
The game is entirely about aggressive inline skating. Players can grind through rails and skate backwards as well as do tricks in the air and boost on the ground and on rails.[2][17][18] When a player is skating fast, they can come to a quick stop by performing an advanced inline-skating move called the powerslide.
