Jak II
Brad gets to grips with this imaginative sequel.
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There is something about the twilight days of winter that has publishers clamouring to release platform games by the bucket. Which is fine because on the Playstation 2, a decent platform game has been missing since its release all those years ago. Admittedly it has seen its fair share of platform games, some of which have been pretty decent if the old noggin here isn't letting me down, but nothing to set the world on fire. Jak and Daxter was decent enough, but lacked a certain something to make it one to remember, as was Ratchet and Clank although admittedly Ratchet and his little robot chum had a lot less going for them. But I digress. I sit here with fresh memories of playing too much Jak II, a keyboard in front of me and the desire to tell people about it using the internet as my mouthpiece.
I had a great distaste for the first Jak and Daxter. Twee, formulaic and a little bit too floaty for my liking. It just lacked that certain 'something' that is needed to keep my attention for more than a few hours. Enter Jak II. The Daxter has been dropped from the title, but the wisecracking weasel-thing still features heavily in the game. This would be enough for most sequels as well as some new levels and perhaps a new mini-game or mechanic, but Jak II goes above and beyond what is commonly expected from a sequel not making the jump from old to new hardware. The game starts with Daxter rescuing Jak from a high-tech compound two years after stepping through a trans-dimensional rift. It appears that Jak has been subject to some hideous experiments thanks to his relationship with Dark Eco, a substance rife in Jak's world. Understandably this has upset Jak just a little and the reunited pair begin their adventure hell-bent on revenge.
After a short refresher in controls Jak is let loose on the streets of the metropolis, where the gameplay takes a trip to GTA land. It seems free roaming cities, carjacking and mission based gameplay are the new stealth. In most cases this would be a bad thing, especially in the realms of the platform game. Somehow Jak II does it with great success however. To get to each level Jak and Daxter must either walk through the city or steal a (hover)car and drive there. This is by no means as detailed or complete as something like Grand Theft Auto, and indeed why should it be? Most importantly it is fun and works very well. Where before Jak had to walk everywhere to my great pain, now he zips through the beautifully rendered streets avoiding traffic and more importantly the cops who really pose little threat if riled. To be honest you are more likely to avoid the cops because of the annoying music played than to avoid the minimal threat they pose.
Once Jak finally arrives at a destination, the platform shenanigans begin in earnest. At first glance the game seems to have changed little from Jak's first outing. All his previous jumping trickery is present and accounted for but progress a few levels and Jak is soon given an upgradeable gun, hoverboard and access to a racing mini-game. But wait! Don't groan and click away! These are actually really nicely implemented additions to the game and actually add to the gameplay rather than just proving tackily added-on to give it sequel status. This time around levels are handed out as missions, GTA style, and usually involve a reasonable drive to somewhere on the large map, which gets even larger as you progress further. Things are tied together with an overwhelming number of better-than-Pixar quality cut-scenes. Please don't be put off by this. It is only overwhelming because of their sheer quality. Each one is an incredible piece of animation as well as boasting great scripting and voice acting. They are chock full of good humour, both verbal and visual, and quite how the now underpowered PS2 pumps these out is beyond me. And all without visible loading breaks too. Something that I have come to appreciate more and more.
Naughty Dog has really pulled out all the stops for Jak II, and it really shows. All the new mechanics are truly excellent and add to the game rather than being a misplaced effort to call the game a sequel. The game has a couple of drawbacks, the most obvious and annoying being the totally unfair continue points within levels. Usually having to redo large sections of any given level would have me in a blind fury taking out my angst on my controller, but somehow Jak II did not bring the foam to my mouth or the anger to my fingers. It just makes the game a little tougher, which is all good; I would have hated for the experience to end sooner than it did. The other niggle presents itself in the form of the city radar. The system employed for navigating the vast city is a little confusing and doesn't always point you in the right direction, which can be a little annoying, but on the whole these are two quite minor niggles in an otherwise polished and well thought out game. If platformers are your bag, then I suggest you pick this up.
87%
Comments
Verry good game. There is a bit to much racing , but other then that it's good.
helppppppppppp need help on jak 2 for ps2 cant seal eco wells with boms
you have beat the game can you help me
Oh boy! I can't wait until I can show this tight game to the squirts I baby-sit! They'd probably foam in awe at it!
I knew I could count on Naughty Dog to conjure up something swell like this, man!
this is a brilliant game. it was much more than i expected and is more funnyer and interesting this time. even though it is aimed at a much older audience it is still good and should attract a wider audience this time. it is bound to sell very quickley and i have been most impressed by it so far. i would give this brilliant game ten out of ten.
I thick that jak 2 is the best game in the world and i can't wait for the next game of jak
It ROCK'S
JAK 2
ROCK
THEIR SHOULD BE A JAK 3 AND4AND 5AND 6AND7
WITH THE SMAE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE THAT DO THE GAME
u should really put some DARK JAK pictures in
Brad,
I have this game at home. Personally, I totally agree with you. This is the BEST game I have ever owned. My brother and i love playing this game. I love how naughty dog smoothed out the apperences of the characters, especially on Daxter. They also did a really good job on Jak. He looked really cool in the first game, but now he looks even better. He looks really good with his new goatee. Well, i g2g now. see ya later!
2 rite dood
give imfo on how to pass levels
I dont agree that jak and daxter is a bad game .Its not good being compared to Jak2!
Jak 2 is the best game i've ever played. i'm also a huge ratchet and clank fan, i just beat going comando. But still i think its just a little better. Im stuck on the part where you ride your hoverboard and blow up all the little security eyes sorounded by mines. any help at all would be great, thanks!!
what part do you need help with?
can you help me on the part where you blow up all the security eyes sorounded by mines?
i think the second game is better than the first one and the fact that the loading in the game is hidin is also a good point. i think the game is klass and has very colourful graphics.
This game is fantastic! I wasnt sure i'd like to play it after the first Jak and daxter but this was more of the "shooting" type of game.
Finally i beat this game!
is this game any good
to blow up the wells you must hover up the center of the ramps
yes it's good! i'm on the last level!
its good,RREEAALLY good
im at the last boss, tell me if you need any help. an 9 year old is stuck at the last boss,me
im at the last boss, tell me if you need any help. an 9 year old is stuck at the last boss,me
im at the last boss, tell me if you need any help. an 9 year old is stuck at the last boss,me
sorry,my computer isnt working the best. i beat the game!
what do you need help on?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 fish,2 fish,3 fish,[b[FLUSH[/b]
i beat the game,how old are you?
good game
is it reaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllly good??