Jak and Daxter is the second full series created by Naughty Dog, and was originally released in 2001. The game was something quite unique for the company. Building off their previously successful series, Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter took its basic controls and platforming and applied them to a massive open world. It was a true evolution of what platformers could be on the PlayStation 2 hardware, and it helped paint a bright future for Naughty Dog on the platform. However, it also became a title that many unfortunately overlooked.
Even though it gained a cult following after its initial December 2001 release, there is no denying that Jak and Daxter was still a "standard" kid-friendly platformer being released on a console not known for the genre. Of course, this helped make Jak and Daxter the "go-to" title for fans of the genre, but many of those same fans would have gone with the GameCube instead. It basically became a toss-up between titles such as Super Mario Sunshine on rival hardware or picking "that game with the funny-looking guy on the cover." It simply wasn't a system seller; it was more of a game you bought simply because you already had a PlayStation 2. And that's a shame.
Thankfully, this is no longer an issue. Jak and Daxter has been released on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and is playable on PlayStation 5 as well. This new HD version includes enhanced graphics and widescreen support, making it the best way to experience the original title. That said, the core game has not been changed at all. Even the original cheat codes and debug mode remain intact, which allows trophy hunters to cheat the system if they wish to.
Jak and Daxter is still a solid platformer all these years later, and those who skipped it the first time can now see exactly what they missed out on.
The Story of Two:
The story of Jak and Daxter is fairly simple, so there isn't too much to discuss. The game opens with our two heroes, Jak and Daxter, going to a strange island despite being told not to by the Green Sage, Samos. The two are adventurous, happy-go-lucky friends who would rather go where they want, joke around, and have fun. They aren't the type to simply listen when told not to go somewhere; in fact, they'd rather go just because they were told not to.
After arriving at the island, Jak and Daxter come across a strange pool of black liquid. This substance turns out to be "Dark Eco." Jak accidentally knocks Daxter into the pool, and Daxter emerges as a mutated creature that looks like a mix between an otter and a weasel—an "ottsel." Not knowing what to do, Jak and Daxter return to the Green Sage's house and ask for help.
And so, their adventure begins. The two set out to find someone who can turn Daxter back to normal. The only catch is that they'll be required to find quite a few energy cells to power up their bike and advance through the volcano.
Throughout the game, Jak and Daxter meet a wide variety of characters, each with their own mini-story or mission. The game's story is very lighthearted and filled with a lot of comedy. Every character is typically a stereotype, from the hillbilly in the woods to the mayor who is full of himself. Even if you don't laugh at these characters, you'll at least crack a smile. Heck, Daxter alone is enough to make you laugh with his offbeat personality. He's the kind of friend who would have some bad news to tell at your funeral—that since you're dead, he has no one else to help him get back to normal.
These strange characters, Daxter's remarks, and the overall feel of the world, all help make Jak and Daxter enjoyable from start to finish, and encourage players to keep moving forward. It is a perfect example of a game not needing a detailed plot to draw you into its story, and it is an adventure you won't forget, even after it reaches its conclusion.
The Old World Gameplay:
Unlike Naughty Dog's previous series, Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter entered the world of fully 3D action-platforming adventures while retaining some of the previous series' core gameplay.
In Jak and Daxter, Jak is the only playable character, and he controls a lot like Crash did on the PS1. He has basic movements, including a jump, double jump, roll, a jump kick from a roll, a ground-pound dive, a forward punch, and a very Crash-like spin attack. Everything is kept simple, and it doesn't take long to get used to the controls, but that doesn't mean you will be an expert right away.
On the downside, Jak's jumping feels a bit lacking at first. He seems to have a bit more weight to him than most platforming heroes, and his forward jump tends to lack momentum. While there's a roll jump that you must use to cross some gaps, you'll likely find yourself double-jumping and air-spinning a lot more simply because of his heavy feel.
The second main feature Jak has is his ability to use different types of eco as power-ups. Throughout the game, you'll be able to pick up different types of eco that power up Jak for a few seconds. All of them are key to completing most of the "levels." For example, while blue eco makes Jak move twice as fast and allows him to open doors, others like yellow eco give him the ability to shoot energy balls. These power-ups can be found all over the map, but sometimes you have to solve a puzzle or two to unlock them.
As I mentioned before, unlike in Crash, where levels were set paths, Jak and Daxter is an open-world platforming game. The entire world is connected with no loading screens, and the entire gameplay is based around exploring the map. Typically, each large area branches off into a few other large areas, which then have smaller areas within them. For example, the starting area has a path that leads you to a jungle area, but from the jungle, you can go to the ruins. Each area is quite large, and they are all packed full of items that you need to collect.
When you enter a new area in Jak and Daxter, you will find a lot of items lying around and quite a few goals to complete. These goals or missions are normally given to you by talking to different characters on the map, but sometimes you'll also come across missions like "kill all of the flying enemies." Either way, if you complete one of these missions, you will be rewarded with an Energy Cell and be one step closer to advancing the story.
Although Energy Cells are the most important items to collect, you can also collect Precursor Orbs and robotic flies. There are seven flies in each level. While Precursor Orbs, which are strange objects left by the ancient Precursors, are mostly used to buy Energy Cells (you'll usually have to give 90 of them to a character in town), the flies are a mission of their own. By collecting all seven flies in each area, you will be able to complete the final challenge in that area and get the last Energy Cell.
The good news is that you don't actually have to collect everything in the game unless you want to. If you are aiming for 100% completion, the game keeps track of everything you've found in each area. In other words, if you get to the end of the game and you have 1,999 out of 2,000 orbs, you don't have to search the entire game to find the last one. Just hit start, scroll through the area list, and see which one you're missing. It's a fast and easy way to check your progress, and it really helps reduce the stress of completing everything. But that doesn't mean the game is easy.
Although Jak and Daxter is more of a "kids' game," it's one of those titles that might keep kids playing for months, or even years, because of its challenge. Since the game is open-world without any real guidance, you have to use a lot of your own puzzle-solving skills to figure out where to go and what to do. A lot of trial and error is involved, and playing the game completely blind on your own will eat up a lot of your time. Because of this, it is possible to play Jak and Daxter for weeks or even months, or you could simply look up the solution if you find yourself struggling.
The good news is, there are no game-overs in Jak and Daxter! When you die, you simply respawn at the closest checkpoint, and they are plentiful. Each sub-area normally has one spawn point, and you can then go back to what you were doing pretty quickly if you do fail. While the enemies do respawn as well, you don't lose any progress or any items you've collected since your death. This makes the game a little easier, but it's really a double-edged sword. You get unlimited tries, yes, but you'll have to fight your way through some challenging platforming sections again and again as well. This means death is still punishing, but not so cruel that it makes you lose overall progress.
Another thing that may confuse players is how well-hidden some parts of the game actually are. Not everything is right in front of you, and the game forces you to explore every single nook and cranny. In one particular level, I found myself searching for a single switch for a little over two hours. I even resorted to backtracking to the beginning to replay the area over and over again—each time with no luck. Eventually I discovered the path I was looking for was up against a mountain and covered up by trees. Of course most of the stage was covered in trees anyway, so there wasn't anything to suggest this location was special.
This is how much of the game in general plays out, with the collectibles especially being well hidden. In other words, even if the platforming and combat are easy for you—enemies die in one hit, and you die in three—the exploration will still take some time.
Jak in HD:
Although Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy HD is basically the same as the PlayStation 2 version, a few minor changes might make this version worth getting.
The first addition to the HD version is that everything has been revamped. As previously mentioned, the game can now be played in widescreen, some of the character models have been touched up, textures have been updated for HD, and the PlayStation 3 version of the game also has full 3D support (which, of course, requires a 3D TV).
The second and final addition is the inclusion of trophies, which really enhances the game. Up until now, there were no rewards for collecting everything in the game besides a short secret ending. Because collecting objects is now required for trophies, you may find yourself more motivated to do so. It's rewarding to get trophies for completing missions, and it's also nice to be able to show your friends that you've 100% completed the game.
Even
if you don't like trophies, it's a nice little extra added in to reward
you for playing the game.
Should you play it?
Jak and Daxter is one of those games you'll either love or hate.
The good news is that Jak and Daxter is a very solid platforming game, and one of the best to come out on the PlayStation 2. The world is huge with no loading screens, the characters are very likable, and collecting objects becomes highly addictive and makes you want to find everything. The addition of trophies encourages you even more to find and do everything, and there is plenty here to keep one busy. On top of the main game, there are also some really nice mini-games to occupy your time with, such as being able to ride a hoverbike through some crazy courses to reach the next area. Despite sometimes feeling like afterthoughts, everything controls so well, and a lot of fun can come from these short segments of the game.
On the other hand, Jak and Daxter does have a few drawbacks.
As mentioned before, Jak's jumping takes some getting used to, and that can result in quite a few accidental deaths. The game gives you plenty of open areas to get used to things, but it isn't until precision platforming comes into play that you really have to buckle down and get a feel for Jak. Sadly mastering his controls will not solve the game's major issue however, which is none other than the movement speed in general.
While not horrible or game-breaking, Jak is not quick in the slightest. His run feels more like a gentle jog, and it really slows things down. In a linear game like Jak and Daxter's predecessor, Crash Bandicoot, this wouldn't be as noticeable, but in an open-world setting, you really feel every step. Similar to other 3D adventure games of its time, using Jak's roll and jump can be used to cover ground faster, so it will most likely become everyone's go-to method for exploring. Does it look silly? Sure, but that is the price you have to pay.
In the end, Jak and Daxter is one of those unique games that you'll either love or hate. If you're a fan of adventure and platforming games—especially classics like Spyro or Banjo-Kazooie—there's a good chance you'll love it. If you dislike platformers, only want the game for the story, and don't like collecting random objects, then avoid this game and look into the future titles. The thing about the Jak and Daxter series is that every single game is different, so if you don't like one, just check out another. And if you were looking for the gun toting, fowl mouthed Jak, going on a story driven adventure in a dystopian world? Well, that is Jak 2.
VERDICT: Recommended
Reviewed on PlayStation 3
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