I'm so glad this was my first PS2 game.
The creative, seamless, and interconnected worlds of Jak and Daxter captivated me as a child, and I feel the same today. The strong, intuitive core gameplay loop maintains razor-focus across the entire campaign, working in gameplay variety that is welcome, but never jarring. The journey takes you through unique levels with charming NPCs, a fitting soundtrack, and no loading screens. The experience is so streamlined and captivating, I could honestly play this whole game in one sitting.
I find it hard to gripe over any of the game's shortcomings: some lousy character designs and jarring animations are excusable as the game is over twenty years old and still looks great most of the time. The lack of challenge doesn't bother me except a little at the vary end, as most of the game has a relaxed quality to it which sets it apart from other games. And lastly, some people are annoyed by Daxter, those people are wrong. I don't think he's laugh-out-loud funny, but he adds a welcome splash of levity. I like the game's story, but I also appreciate it not taking itself too seriously. Huh, I wonder if the next game will do that?
This is one of my favorite 3D platformers, and I haven't even mentioned the final boss. I was going to give the game an eight out of ten, but the citadel battle was so epic; I'm bumping it up to a nine. Having just finished a playthrough tonight, I'm happy to say that nostalgia hasn't blinded me when it comes to this game, because Jak & Daxter is an excellent game with or without rose-colored glasses.
The creative, seamless, and interconnected worlds of Jak and Daxter captivated me as a child, and I feel the same today. The strong, intuitive core gameplay loop maintains razor-focus across the entire campaign, working in gameplay variety that is welcome, but never jarring. The journey takes you through unique levels with charming NPCs, a fitting soundtrack, and no loading screens. The experience is so streamlined and captivating, I could honestly play this whole game in one sitting.
I find it hard to gripe over any of the game's shortcomings: some lousy character designs and jarring animations are excusable as the game is over twenty years old and still looks great most of the time. The lack of challenge doesn't bother me except a little at the vary end, as most of the game has a relaxed quality to it which sets it apart from other games. And lastly, some people are annoyed by Daxter, those people are wrong. I don't think he's laugh-out-loud funny, but he adds a welcome splash of levity. I like the game's story, but I also appreciate it not taking itself too seriously. Huh, I wonder if the next game will do that?
This is one of my favorite 3D platformers, and I haven't even mentioned the final boss. I was going to give the game an eight out of ten, but the citadel battle was so epic; I'm bumping it up to a nine. Having just finished a playthrough tonight, I'm happy to say that nostalgia hasn't blinded me when it comes to this game, because Jak & Daxter is an excellent game with or without rose-colored glasses.