11/19/2004 11:01:57 AM
Jak 3 PlayStation 2 ReviewBy Zach Rosenberg
See, Naughty Dog knows what they're doing, and I hope the rest of the industry is listening. As humbly as possible, I'd like to present a short list of reasons why “Jak 3” makes most of the other games out there look like monkeywork:
- "Jak 3" keeps the action simple and specific.
- "Jak 3" maintains a steady and logical step in the series without overstepping.
- "Jak 3" ends the series, instead of dragging us along for years through an unsuccessful barrage of platform drudgery.
Thank you, Naughty Dog; you reached into my very soul, found the little jellybean-like center of my happiness, and built a game in its image. In short, this turned out to be pretty simple: take the formula from "Jak 2" and add more guns, a few new(er) mechanics, and bring the story to a close. That's all we could ask for.
When last we left our heroes, Jak and Daxter had freed Haven City from the Baron Praxis, and just to throw in some extra heroics, had also felled the evil Kor. So, it's easy to see why Jak and Daxter have been banished from Haven City. Wait...BANISHED?! Unfortunately so. Jak freed the city from an evil tyrant, but once Praxis was out, a handful of equally evil factions moved in. Now Haven City is swimming in metalheads, robots, and general bad guys. So Jak and Daxter have been banished, there's total chaos going on, and you've got to help them stage a comeback.
Missions are given through a sandbox system, just as they were in "Jak 2." As you progress through the storyline, you'll open up different areas, so while you can only cruise around the outlands at the beginning of the game, you'll eventually be able to take missions in Haven City as well, moving in and out with no restriction. You'll find the city's guards constantly battling the occupying factions of robots and metalheads. To help you find your missions you'll have a little map in the corner, which is a good thing--the environments look so good, if I didn't have a map, I might forget about the game and just enjoy the view.
Like in the past games, the controls are a perfectly-plotted set, offering your standard jump, punch, spin, and stomp buttons. You've also got four classes of guns: shotgun, rifle, gatling, and peacemaker, and you'll be able to upgrade your guns with the D-pad directionals. For example, you can use a standard rifle shot, or upgrade to a bouncing shot that hones in on enemies when it hits a wall. With 12 different guns and a big bag of melee attacks under your hood, you've got tons of ways to rid the world of evil...again. In addition, you've got your Dark Jak powers, which will give you a few more melee options, or, for the more holy player, new Light Jak powers that allow you to regenerate health, slow down time, and even fly. You'll also encounter a new form of transportation: dune buggies! You'll get the chance to pilot a few different models, each with their own weaponry. Plus, the hoverboard is back! With so many ways to get around the game and waste your enemies...whew...I'm a happy camper.
In the simplest way, “Jak 3” is just good fun. Though there are gamers who prefer their platformer games to be a little more flat and, well, platformery, "Jak 3" introduces smooth transitions between gameplay types, and nothing feels thrown-in. But that doesn't mean that "Jak 3" is easy. You'll have to play most missions multiple times, but that's not a bad thing. The game is pleasantly challenging, even after repeated frustration. You might swear off playing the game, only to find that, the next day, you're drawn back to the yummy action. "Jak 3" feels like that old eight-bit console game that you used to play over and over again, even though you knew it inside-out. "Jak 3" doesn't offer much to unlock for the second trip through (except maybe some concept art and a level select), but if you like to replay old favorites, this is a game that will stick around for a long time.
Naughty Dog has a great track record for production values. Although the visuals aren't too different from those in "Jak 2," they are all beautiful. The environments are rich and colorful, and the characters are animated well (though some animations are notably lifted straight from "Jak 2" with no changes). Overall, "Jak 3" looks better than any other game on the PS2, and that's definitely something to be proud of.
Though none of the music will stick in your head, you'll definitely grow an affinity for the different characters, as the voice work in the game is excellent. But it's not just the voices; the actors give a very fitting and emotive delivery, something difficult to do in video game voice work. The sound effects are all great as well.
For a medium-difficulty, medium-playtime game (it should take you a little more than ten hours to complete), "Jak 3" is a wonderful end to the series. And thank god that Naughty Dog ended it here; there's nothing worse than a franchise that stretches itself too thin with mindless sequels, based off of whatever's the most popular in the market at that moment. Though hardcore fans of the series might be a little sad to see the story end, it's sure better than the alternative. So, hey, Naughty Dog, give yourself a round of applause. And everyone else...buy this game!
Ratings (1-10):
Graphics: 9. One of the best-looking games on the PS2.
Sound: 8. The excellent voice work makes up for a good but forgettable soundtrack.
Gameplay: 8. It's everything you loved about "Jak 2," plus a little bit more!
Story: 9. Extra points for ending the story on a high note, plus the story could be construed as a parallel to current world events (minus the hoverboard).
Replayability: 6. Sadly, once you unlock everything, the game's done. But there's no shame in going back for seconds!
Overall: 9 (not an average). Not a perfect game. But close. Damn close.
Jak 3 PlayStation 2 Review
