A Platformer From a Simpler Time
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy was one of the earlier break out hits for Sony's Playstation 2 platform. Released in December 2001 it quickly became one of the first million sellers. Featuring the first fully 3D open world platforming world it quickly stood out from the pack. This combined with the great voice work and solid gameplay quickly laid the groundwork for one of Sony's flagship franchises.
While later games in the series would take on a much darker tone this first Jak adventure is purely kid friendly. The enemies are all very cartooney and die in colorful explosions. The classic platforming conventions of collecting items and jumping are combined with rudimentary quests to give a unique for its time gameplay style. Ultimately though it breaks down to hopping from object to object and collecting things.
Looking back through the lens of time some of the luster starts to come off. While the graphics can be excused as a product of the times the punishing and repetitive gameplay cannot. The game is fun in small doses but the sometimes brutal difficulty can turn a light hearted game into a teeth grinding ordeal. It definately feels like something an eight year old would quickly become fed up with quick.
So, as a nostalgic trip down video game history, or to get some backstory for later games, Jak and Daxter can be a good time. As long as you understand that it is a product of the very early days of the PS2 then you can have a pretty decent time playing this classic platformer.
While later games in the series would take on a much darker tone this first Jak adventure is purely kid friendly. The enemies are all very cartooney and die in colorful explosions. The classic platforming conventions of collecting items and jumping are combined with rudimentary quests to give a unique for its time gameplay style. Ultimately though it breaks down to hopping from object to object and collecting things.
Looking back through the lens of time some of the luster starts to come off. While the graphics can be excused as a product of the times the punishing and repetitive gameplay cannot. The game is fun in small doses but the sometimes brutal difficulty can turn a light hearted game into a teeth grinding ordeal. It definately feels like something an eight year old would quickly become fed up with quick.
So, as a nostalgic trip down video game history, or to get some backstory for later games, Jak and Daxter can be a good time. As long as you understand that it is a product of the very early days of the PS2 then you can have a pretty decent time playing this classic platformer.
