Some of the most meticulously crafted and thoughtful 3D platforming ever made. An absolute joy to play, it's staggering that a character with no upgrade tree, special move unlocks or anything of the sort stays as engaging to play from minute one to the final hour.
Another rare achievement is feeling naturally good to 100%. No tedium involved, the goodies are hidden in logical places. It's a sweet smooth ride of a difficulty curve, with some of the late game climbing frames being highlights of the genre.
These stunning levels are paired with a genius interconnected world that helps make the adventure this fluid romp through a multitude of vibrant level types. Videogames still getting praise for this style of level presentation, and Jak and Daxter was doing it two decades ago. As a first year (roughly) PS2 game as well. It's flabbergasting.
I will also give some credit to the curvacious and bronze "Precursor Artifact" style of Jak and Daxter's world. Yet, it takes more than ancient sci-fi curved architecture to pull me in.
The characters are unbelievably flat and no matter how well the flow and gameplay of the world is, it can't escape being dull as dishwater. And as shallow as dishwater too. Jak's design is a real big mess to me, an "anime-inspired" protagonist dip-dyed in western sensibilities to create something that appeals to no one.
But I can ignore it. It's something I'm rarely capable of, but in Jak and Daxter's case, I can. Perhaps I shouldn't even have mentioned it if I'm so able to ignore it. Oh well, typed it now.
I can ignore it because you're such a damn fantastic game to play Jak and Daxter. Ground-breakingly fantastic then, reassuringly fantastic now.
Another rare achievement is feeling naturally good to 100%. No tedium involved, the goodies are hidden in logical places. It's a sweet smooth ride of a difficulty curve, with some of the late game climbing frames being highlights of the genre.
These stunning levels are paired with a genius interconnected world that helps make the adventure this fluid romp through a multitude of vibrant level types. Videogames still getting praise for this style of level presentation, and Jak and Daxter was doing it two decades ago. As a first year (roughly) PS2 game as well. It's flabbergasting.
I will also give some credit to the curvacious and bronze "Precursor Artifact" style of Jak and Daxter's world. Yet, it takes more than ancient sci-fi curved architecture to pull me in.
The characters are unbelievably flat and no matter how well the flow and gameplay of the world is, it can't escape being dull as dishwater. And as shallow as dishwater too. Jak's design is a real big mess to me, an "anime-inspired" protagonist dip-dyed in western sensibilities to create something that appeals to no one.
But I can ignore it. It's something I'm rarely capable of, but in Jak and Daxter's case, I can. Perhaps I shouldn't even have mentioned it if I'm so able to ignore it. Oh well, typed it now.
I can ignore it because you're such a damn fantastic game to play Jak and Daxter. Ground-breakingly fantastic then, reassuringly fantastic now.