Jak & Daxter
- ESRB Rating: Everyone
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: 4 of 5
FANTASTIC GAME FOR KIDS
This classic is sure 2 entertain your kids 4 many hours. There are many different worlds 2 explore that are all brilliant & full of color. You are Jak a young boy & your partner Daxter has been turned into a weasel. You have 2 explore vast world & obtain enough power cells in order 2 move on 2 the next worlds. You must complete different tasks in order 2 obtain these power cells. For example you must heard cows into a pen & catch a certain amount of fish with a net in another section. These are just two examples of fun mini games that you must play in order 2 progress thru the game. If you are looking 4 a fun game 4 kids without the foul language or violence then look no further.
Rating: 5 of 5
The start of a great series
I absolutley adore the Jak & Daxter games. I recall, when I first got a PS2, which was years ago (I had the big, black, old one so you do the math), I would rent games 4 it in the movie store. I saw Jak & Daxter & it looked exactly like my type of game. And so, of course I loved it. This game is flawless, the graphics are awesome (I adore the cartoon type graphics, it suits it so well), & the characters are loveable. I fell in love with Jak when I started playing as him (yes I'm one of those weird girls who thinks that guy characters are hot). As a pair, Jak & Daxter are awesome. I never & will never know 2 this day if Jak was a mute or not in the first game. Sometimes he acted like he was about 2 talk when Daxter cut in instead. So, who knows. It makes it all the funnier. I could complain about how the game seems a bit short but in all honesty I think it's exactly the right length 4 an adventure game like this. It really wasn't too short nor too long. Right in the middle. And after you beat the game you can go back & collect the rest of any power cells that you missed, which if you get lets you see a secret scene 4 collecting them. It's nothing too long but it makes you want 2 grabe the second game 2 see what it is. Not my favorite game in the Jak & Daxter trilogy but I still love nonetheless! I consider the trilogy 2 be one my top five favorite games of all time. I count the series as a whole game. I love it!
Rating: 4 of 5
Jak & Daxter
Jak & Daxter is fun 4 all ages. Great game 2 play with a friend or young one.
Rating: 3 of 5
Perhaps it was Good 4 it's Time... (by Laura)
I'm torn about this game. For the most part, I don't really have fond memories of it but memories of frustration; which is quite unusual 4 me. I've actually had this game since I was very young. If a game is hard enough (it must be extremely difficult 4 me), I can get tired of playing it & put it down, as well as forget about it, 4 several years. Then, later in my life, I dig it back out 2 complete it (often my skills have improved since I last played). So, in that respect, it occasionally takes me years 2 complete a game. I'll give you the cons & the pros in that order. Ultimately, it's up 2 you 2 decide whether or not this game is even worth your time.
Cons:
1. This game is one player only. This isn't a problem 2 me, as a solo gamer; but I know many people like 2 play in groups or with a partner. This especially hurts this game in fields relevant of today's; where almost everything is designed 4 the possible participation of at least four people. I'm just warning you about this upfront.
2. No ending. There is no ultra secret ending; it's all an over-hyped disgrace. You have a door that requires at least one hundred power cells 2 open it. You literally go from that you-know-what-hot-place & back 2 get one hundred of those stinking power cells only 4 a white light that the characters awe over. You never even know what the white light belongs to! Don't bother completing the game one hundred percent 4 something better either. It doesn't work; that's all you get. This made me so Hoover Dam mad! They had absolutely no right 2 yank our chains like that.
3. Repetitious music. Even upon hearing it 4 the first time in years, I'm sick of it. It's okay at first; but even 2 begin with, the music could be better.
4. Various control quirks. Jak looks horrible when he's jumping (like some deranged bird trying 2 fly) & his double jump doesn't even work if you wait even half of a second too long. This leads 2 a lot of unnecessary deaths by falling. Also, camera controls are just awful; it can get pretty difficult when your camera is determined 2 stay in one angle, when you need it 2 go into another. This causes even more deaths by falling.
5. Hard & Frustrating. Remember all of those deaths by falling I mentioned earlier? You'll probably go through thousands of those as well as get lost a thousand times. Have a stress ball or pillow ready, or you may break your game through your urge 2 thrash it. Adding 2 this frustration, Daxter can occasionally be an annoyance (a cocky coward who's all talk).
6. Various glitches & somewhat poor level design. This, combined with Jak's terrible jumping ability, can make this game a complete nightmare. Look around online 4 more specifics on the glitches (thankfully, I don't think I've encountered many, if any) but trust me: they won't make your life easier.
7. Overused enemies. You pound a lot of the same creatures, even over the course of different areas.
Pros:
1. Beautiful graphics. nice, lush backgrounds pertaining 2 forests, beaches, caves, & towns. They use good graphics 4 lost cities, the citadel (which is like the final level), & labs too, but those can be a little repetitious. If you take a few minutes 2 watch the sky in a natural environment, you can watch the cycles of day & night with the sun, stars, & moon. Although it cycles slightly too quickly, I think that's the most impressive part of it. Oh, bear in mind these graphics are slightly cartoonish.
2. Decent plot. It's also very simple: Jak & his friend, Daxter, are exploring someplace the Green Sage told them not 2 go. While they are exploring, they find a pool of dark eco, a sinister & black element harmful 2 all creatures. After they find it, they are spotted by a villainous sentry which initiates a battle. Jak fight while Daxter hides behind him; but the force of Jak knocking out the sentry causes Daxter 2 fall in the dark eco. Daxter comes out, but soon realizes (and screams) over being transformed into a cute & furry little ottsel. They return 2 the Green Sage, who scolds them 4 going where he told them not 2 go. He's reluctant 2 help, eventually slipping the information that he can't help anyway: only the White Sage can help. Now, how & where do you find him? That's where the journey begins.
3. Comical/interesting characters. Most of the characters are funny. In the earlier stages of the game, Daxter will say something funny every time Jak passes out (gets defeated on land), even 2 the point of insinuating that Jak's breath smells. Also early in the game, the Green Sage scolds & screams at them like crazy; which is also funny. Sadly, at the later points of the game, these jokes go away making some of the characters seem serious & out of material (which isn't overwhelmingly) much). That doesn't mean there aren't any more interesting characters: Kiera, 4 example, is a female inventor of sorts that will make various crafts 4 you. You'll also bump into a sculptor looking 4 his muse & even a guy wearing a barrel. The sculptor & barrel wearing guy, however, are characters that can only be spoken 2 a limited number of times.
4. The fishing minigame is fun.
5. It's addictive at first.
Conclusion:
That's all I can really say. This game had the potential 2 be excellent, but it didn't quite hit the mark. Those with a lot of patience will enjoy it the most. Don't give it 2 younger children unless they're really skilled; or they won't enjoy it. You can buy it if you want a real challenge (that has quirks), or if something here really appeals 2 you; but other than that, there are better platformers out there.
Cons:
1. This game is one player only. This isn't a problem 2 me, as a solo gamer; but I know many people like 2 play in groups or with a partner. This especially hurts this game in fields relevant of today's; where almost everything is designed 4 the possible participation of at least four people. I'm just warning you about this upfront.
2. No ending. There is no ultra secret ending; it's all an over-hyped disgrace. You have a door that requires at least one hundred power cells 2 open it. You literally go from that you-know-what-hot-place & back 2 get one hundred of those stinking power cells only 4 a white light that the characters awe over. You never even know what the white light belongs to! Don't bother completing the game one hundred percent 4 something better either. It doesn't work; that's all you get. This made me so Hoover Dam mad! They had absolutely no right 2 yank our chains like that.
3. Repetitious music. Even upon hearing it 4 the first time in years, I'm sick of it. It's okay at first; but even 2 begin with, the music could be better.
4. Various control quirks. Jak looks horrible when he's jumping (like some deranged bird trying 2 fly) & his double jump doesn't even work if you wait even half of a second too long. This leads 2 a lot of unnecessary deaths by falling. Also, camera controls are just awful; it can get pretty difficult when your camera is determined 2 stay in one angle, when you need it 2 go into another. This causes even more deaths by falling.
5. Hard & Frustrating. Remember all of those deaths by falling I mentioned earlier? You'll probably go through thousands of those as well as get lost a thousand times. Have a stress ball or pillow ready, or you may break your game through your urge 2 thrash it. Adding 2 this frustration, Daxter can occasionally be an annoyance (a cocky coward who's all talk).
6. Various glitches & somewhat poor level design. This, combined with Jak's terrible jumping ability, can make this game a complete nightmare. Look around online 4 more specifics on the glitches (thankfully, I don't think I've encountered many, if any) but trust me: they won't make your life easier.
7. Overused enemies. You pound a lot of the same creatures, even over the course of different areas.
Pros:
1. Beautiful graphics. nice, lush backgrounds pertaining 2 forests, beaches, caves, & towns. They use good graphics 4 lost cities, the citadel (which is like the final level), & labs too, but those can be a little repetitious. If you take a few minutes 2 watch the sky in a natural environment, you can watch the cycles of day & night with the sun, stars, & moon. Although it cycles slightly too quickly, I think that's the most impressive part of it. Oh, bear in mind these graphics are slightly cartoonish.
2. Decent plot. It's also very simple: Jak & his friend, Daxter, are exploring someplace the Green Sage told them not 2 go. While they are exploring, they find a pool of dark eco, a sinister & black element harmful 2 all creatures. After they find it, they are spotted by a villainous sentry which initiates a battle. Jak fight while Daxter hides behind him; but the force of Jak knocking out the sentry causes Daxter 2 fall in the dark eco. Daxter comes out, but soon realizes (and screams) over being transformed into a cute & furry little ottsel. They return 2 the Green Sage, who scolds them 4 going where he told them not 2 go. He's reluctant 2 help, eventually slipping the information that he can't help anyway: only the White Sage can help. Now, how & where do you find him? That's where the journey begins.
3. Comical/interesting characters. Most of the characters are funny. In the earlier stages of the game, Daxter will say something funny every time Jak passes out (gets defeated on land), even 2 the point of insinuating that Jak's breath smells. Also early in the game, the Green Sage scolds & screams at them like crazy; which is also funny. Sadly, at the later points of the game, these jokes go away making some of the characters seem serious & out of material (which isn't overwhelmingly) much). That doesn't mean there aren't any more interesting characters: Kiera, 4 example, is a female inventor of sorts that will make various crafts 4 you. You'll also bump into a sculptor looking 4 his muse & even a guy wearing a barrel. The sculptor & barrel wearing guy, however, are characters that can only be spoken 2 a limited number of times.
4. The fishing minigame is fun.
5. It's addictive at first.
Conclusion:
That's all I can really say. This game had the potential 2 be excellent, but it didn't quite hit the mark. Those with a lot of patience will enjoy it the most. Don't give it 2 younger children unless they're really skilled; or they won't enjoy it. You can buy it if you want a real challenge (that has quirks), or if something here really appeals 2 you; but other than that, there are better platformers out there.
Rating: 4 of 5
Pretty Good Platformer
Seeing how the PS2 is a decade old now, it's easy 2 find discounted games that one may have missed out on when it was first released, as is the case with myself & the first entry into the Jak & Daxter series. Overall, The Precursor Legacy is a pretty good platformer with a few stumblings.
Keeping in mind the year when the game came out, the artwork is great - simple but great. Equally amusing is Jak's wisecracking sidekick Daxter, & in my opinion, the quirky one who adds a lot of the spice 2 the game that it has (Jak's kind of a wiener).
This isn't breaking any new ground: it's your basic platformer that has you running around areas, capturing items (Precursor orbs which look like huge Willy Wonka golden eggs), beating enemies, & the like. However, it is interesting 2 note the game's use of a "streamlined" saving system. Every time you find a Precursor orb, the game plays a short animation showing Daxter hilariously breakdancing, slam dunking the orb into Jak's backpack, etc. & during these approximately 6-sec cinematics, your game data is being saved in the background. I thought that was a nice touch that I've NEVER seen done in any game before.
My only problem was handling Jak in many of the later levels. Try implementing Jak's double jump in places where you absolutely need him 2 & you'll see what I mean. Some of the controls concerning Jak's movements are very unresponsive at times. I can't tell you how many times I literally looked down at my thumb poking hardly on the X button twice in a row 2 find Jak never once performed his double jump like he should have...or in other words, he'll do it as soon as you die & have 2 start all over again. This little quibble of a control issue will have you yelling expletives at the game more times than what you may actually remember when you finish the game. However, it seems like this issue was addressed in later sequels of the series.
You could probably beat the game in about 10 hours if you really just hammer it out but it always takes me a little longer with games because I like 2 explore & see if I can find hidden items; thus, it took me about 24 hours 2 complete, & once you start collecting the orbs & other items, you may be compelled 2 find more 4 rewards as I was.
If you're looking 4 an inexpensive joyride of a platformer, give it a try. I picked this one up between games as a no-brainer type of game just 2 relax & enjoy. Because of the quality of The Precursor Legacy, I'm definitely going 2 finish the other two games in the series.
Keeping in mind the year when the game came out, the artwork is great - simple but great. Equally amusing is Jak's wisecracking sidekick Daxter, & in my opinion, the quirky one who adds a lot of the spice 2 the game that it has (Jak's kind of a wiener).
This isn't breaking any new ground: it's your basic platformer that has you running around areas, capturing items (Precursor orbs which look like huge Willy Wonka golden eggs), beating enemies, & the like. However, it is interesting 2 note the game's use of a "streamlined" saving system. Every time you find a Precursor orb, the game plays a short animation showing Daxter hilariously breakdancing, slam dunking the orb into Jak's backpack, etc. & during these approximately 6-sec cinematics, your game data is being saved in the background. I thought that was a nice touch that I've NEVER seen done in any game before.
My only problem was handling Jak in many of the later levels. Try implementing Jak's double jump in places where you absolutely need him 2 & you'll see what I mean. Some of the controls concerning Jak's movements are very unresponsive at times. I can't tell you how many times I literally looked down at my thumb poking hardly on the X button twice in a row 2 find Jak never once performed his double jump like he should have...or in other words, he'll do it as soon as you die & have 2 start all over again. This little quibble of a control issue will have you yelling expletives at the game more times than what you may actually remember when you finish the game. However, it seems like this issue was addressed in later sequels of the series.
You could probably beat the game in about 10 hours if you really just hammer it out but it always takes me a little longer with games because I like 2 explore & see if I can find hidden items; thus, it took me about 24 hours 2 complete, & once you start collecting the orbs & other items, you may be compelled 2 find more 4 rewards as I was.
If you're looking 4 an inexpensive joyride of a platformer, give it a try. I picked this one up between games as a no-brainer type of game just 2 relax & enjoy. Because of the quality of The Precursor Legacy, I'm definitely going 2 finish the other two games in the series.
Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is the fun classic 3D platformer that brought arcade fun 2 your PS2! They're quite a comic duo! Jak's the strong, silent type of hero, while Daxter's the obnoxious comic nut. In this first game, something has turned your friend into a giant rodent. Over the course of 12 levels, you'll go on an adventure where you'll unravel the mystery of your friend's transformations.
While exploring some ancient ruins on a forbidden island off the coast, Jak's best friend, Daxter, is knocked into a vat of Dark Eco--a terrifying & deadly substance that could corrupt the world forever--transforming him into a weasel-like rodent. The village sage, Samos Hagai, tells Jak that there's only one person who holds the secrets 2 transforming Daxter back. Now the pair must set out on a quest in search of a wise old sage who has the power 2 restore Daxter 2 his former self.
Plunge into a world of adventure, exploration, & discovery. Embark on a magical, often harrowing journey that challenges gamers 2 test their wits & skills, allowing them 2 discover twisted plots & battle the evil within. Delivering nothing but the best ingredients 4 a game that's set 2 be one of the biggest titles of the year, Jak & Daxter features great character designs & animations, innovative gameplay mechanics, superior technology, & absolutely stunning graphics. Jak & Daxter pushes the power of the PlayStation2, offering an engaging, immersive entertainment experience that stretches the imagination.
($11.99)
Buy Jak & Daxter Now!
