Jak II
Brad gets to grips with this imaginative sequel.
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There is something about the twilight days of winter that has publishers clamouring to release platform games by the bucket. Which is fine because on the Playstation 2, a decent platform game has been missing since its release all those years ago. Admittedly it has seen its fair share of platform games, some of which have been pretty decent if the old noggin here isn't letting me down, but nothing to set the world on fire. Jak and Daxter was decent enough, but lacked a certain something to make it one to remember, as was Ratchet and Clank although admittedly Ratchet and his little robot chum had a lot less going for them. But I digress. I sit here with fresh memories of playing too much Jak II, a keyboard in front of me and the desire to tell people about it using the internet as my mouthpiece.
I had a great distaste for the first Jak and Daxter. Twee, formulaic and a little bit too floaty for my liking. It just lacked that certain 'something' that is needed to keep my attention for more than a few hours. Enter Jak II. The Daxter has been dropped from the title, but the wisecracking weasel-thing still features heavily in the game. This would be enough for most sequels as well as some new levels and perhaps a new mini-game or mechanic, but Jak II goes above and beyond what is commonly expected from a sequel not making the jump from old to new hardware. The game starts with Daxter rescuing Jak from a high-tech compound two years after stepping through a trans-dimensional rift. It appears that Jak has been subject to some hideous experiments thanks to his relationship with Dark Eco, a substance rife in Jak's world. Understandably this has upset Jak just a little and the reunited pair begin their adventure hell-bent on revenge.
After a short refresher in controls Jak is let loose on the streets of the metropolis, where the gameplay takes a trip to GTA land. It seems free roaming cities, carjacking and mission based gameplay are the new stealth. In most cases this would be a bad thing, especially in the realms of the platform game. Somehow Jak II does it with great success however. To get to each level Jak and Daxter must either walk through the city or steal a (hover)car and drive there. This is by no means as detailed or complete as something like Grand Theft Auto, and indeed why should it be? Most importantly it is fun and works very well. Where before Jak had to walk everywhere to my great pain, now he zips through the beautifully rendered streets avoiding traffic and more importantly the cops who really pose little threat if riled. To be honest you are more likely to avoid the cops because of the annoying music played than to avoid the minimal threat they pose.
Once Jak finally arrives at a destination, the platform shenanigans begin in earnest. At first glance the game seems to have changed little from Jak's first outing. All his previous jumping trickery is present and accounted for but progress a few levels and Jak is soon given an upgradeable gun, hoverboard and access to a racing mini-game. But wait! Don't groan and click away! These are actually really nicely implemented additions to the game and actually add to the gameplay rather than just proving tackily added-on to give it sequel status. This time around levels are handed out as missions, GTA style, and usually involve a reasonable drive to somewhere on the large map, which gets even larger as you progress further. Things are tied together with an overwhelming number of better-than-Pixar quality cut-scenes. Please don't be put off by this. It is only overwhelming because of their sheer quality. Each one is an incredible piece of animation as well as boasting great scripting and voice acting. They are chock full of good humour, both verbal and visual, and quite how the now underpowered PS2 pumps these out is beyond me. And all without visible loading breaks too. Something that I have come to appreciate more and more.
Naughty Dog has really pulled out all the stops for Jak II, and it really shows. All the new mechanics are truly excellent and add to the game rather than being a misplaced effort to call the game a sequel. The game has a couple of drawbacks, the most obvious and annoying being the totally unfair continue points within levels. Usually having to redo large sections of any given level would have me in a blind fury taking out my angst on my controller, but somehow Jak II did not bring the foam to my mouth or the anger to my fingers. It just makes the game a little tougher, which is all good; I would have hated for the experience to end sooner than it did. The other niggle presents itself in the form of the city radar. The system employed for navigating the vast city is a little confusing and doesn't always point you in the right direction, which can be a little annoying, but on the whole these are two quite minor niggles in an otherwise polished and well thought out game. If platformers are your bag, then I suggest you pick this up.
87%
Comments
Verry good game. There is a bit to much racing , but other then that it's good.
helppppppppppp need help on jak 2 for ps2 cant seal eco wells with boms
you have beat the game can you help me
Oh boy! I can't wait until I can show this tight game to the squirts I baby-sit! They'd probably foam in awe at it!
I knew I could count on Naughty Dog to conjure up something swell like this, man!
this is a brilliant game. it was much more than i expected and is more funnyer and interesting this time. even though it is aimed at a much older audience it is still good and should attract a wider audience this time. it is bound to sell very quickley and i have been most impressed by it so far. i would give this brilliant game ten out of ten.
I thick that jak 2 is the best game in the world and i can't wait for the next game of jak
It ROCK'S
JAK 2
ROCK
THEIR SHOULD BE A JAK 3 AND4AND 5AND 6AND7
WITH THE SMAE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE THAT DO THE GAME
u should really put some DARK JAK pictures in
Brad,
I have this game at home. Personally, I totally agree with you. This is the BEST game I have ever owned. My brother and i love playing this game. I love how naughty dog smoothed out the apperences of the characters, especially on Daxter. They also did a really good job on Jak. He looked really cool in the first game, but now he looks even better. He looks really good with his new goatee. Well, i g2g now. see ya later!
2 rite dood
give imfo on how to pass levels
I dont agree that jak and daxter is a bad game .Its not good being compared to Jak2!
Jak 2 is the best game i've ever played. i'm also a huge ratchet and clank fan, i just beat going comando. But still i think its just a little better. Im stuck on the part where you ride your hoverboard and blow up all the little security eyes sorounded by mines. any help at all would be great, thanks!!
what part do you need help with?
can you help me on the part where you blow up all the security eyes sorounded by mines?
i think the second game is better than the first one and the fact that the loading in the game is hidin is also a good point. i think the game is klass and has very colourful graphics.
This game is fantastic! I wasnt sure i'd like to play it after the first Jak and daxter but this was more of the "shooting" type of game.
Finally i beat this game!
is this game any good
to blow up the wells you must hover up the center of the ramps
yes it's good! i'm on the last level!
its good,RREEAALLY good
im at the last boss, tell me if you need any help. an 9 year old is stuck at the last boss,me
im at the last boss, tell me if you need any help. an 9 year old is stuck at the last boss,me
im at the last boss, tell me if you need any help. an 9 year old is stuck at the last boss,me
sorry,my computer isnt working the best. i beat the game!
what do you need help on?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 fish,2 fish,3 fish,[b[FLUSH[/b]
i beat the game,how old are you?
good game
is it reaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllly good??
I got past that mission and I'm only 10 yearsway old. Well anyway, pess X at the first closest ramps. Go to the things with garbage on them. Right before you do that, there is a orb near the edge. Press X at that ramp. Grind that rail next. Wait, theres a orb left of the 2nd rail. Turn left. Avoid the saw. Avoid the big drill. Land on that platform, press X at that ramp. You complete that mission Putts!!!
ha ha I beat jak 2
The first game of jak wasnt very good the second was so much better the graphics are great and same with the story line. I hope the next game of jack is going to be as good. When is the exact date of when Jak 3 comes out? Can you take out the annoying music when the guards are after you?
it's the best game ever I beat it
this game is awesome. i hope there's another one, maybe where he...uhh... "meets" Mar.
wait- is there definitely gonna be a jak 3?
i might be able to help somebody, i finished it renting the game and i didnt think it was too hard.
Ive beaten the game,but I cant find all of the precursor orbs.HHHHEEEEEEELLLLLLLLPPP me
im 92 percent done, i need to talk to keira but whenever i enter the stadiam area it changes to the challenge class three race i beat my record in first
by the way tony get on your hover board and go to dead town there is alot under a place
i'm in the tomb and i can't swing up to the next level, off of the pole how do i get up there????stuck for two days?? please throw me a bone!
here it goes on thepole hold up thenwhen you get to the topjump and hold it
thanks "C" ---i give you an A+
how do yoo beat the fat dude -p
A CHEAT AS THIS ARE GOOD
THis cheat can lock of all secrets:
Pause R1-R1-R1-L1-L2-L1-NER-VÄNSTER-NER
THIS GAME SUCKS HARD
1. HJOL, I owe you one!
2. where did you find the cheat?
3. I also agree the game is hard.
how do you get the jet-board?
when do metal heads invade the city?
is there any botton cheats out there that will aid me in the game?
how do you get the precursor orbs
i will ansewr your questions cyberdemon
you get the jetboard right after you meet the shadow, he tells you to do something in the forest. at the gate is the jetboardwhere keira left it.
medal heads invade the city near the end of the game right after you fight krew.
you can only unlock cheats right after you coolect precursor orbs.
i hope i helped
you suck big balls
Bob
a a
l l
l l
s s
this game rocks
i love jak 2 its so cool and the editors give it a:9.1
to cyberdemon
my solution is not easy, but its the only way
you have to punch, punch, punch to go fast. punch throuh every guard and get through before the hover things start shotin you. and DONT fall in the water :-)
thanks michael
I'll try it
it worked but I have another problem....
do you find this pathetic?
anyway I need information on how to blow up the dark eco wells, this mission has a time limit....
this question is to anyone:
who is your favorite, dark-jak or jak!?
Are there any precurser orbs in haven city?
I read it in the game book, but I think its a myth.....
anyone who has beaten this part could u instant message me soon?
Save up the speed enegryfor whenyou go around the last corner,only if you miss the shortcut
by doing tasks on the computer screens you can get precursur orbs
sorry p youshoot all of krews clones when krew comeskeepshooting him
he will eventully die
I wish some1 made a game vutral reality portal that zapps you into the games and we could be in there for real life and I wan't to be A KRIMZON GAURD!!!!!!!!!
jak is hot! ^_^
I didn't beat the game but so far it's a awsome game!
I wish in jak 2 daxter could turn into dark daxter! ^_^
It would be so cool!
I like the Vutral reality portal idia! I would want to try to figure out another way to have a dark side.( like jak ).
jak 2 is brilliant a very good game indeed graphics are amazing music apart from the city music amazing brilliant story line with all the crazy twists 100% 10/10
bloody brillaint
I've seen a bit of Jak 3 he has two dark jaks now, normal dark jak, and dragon jack.
Someone has to know where the precusor orbs are! ;-)
Wow, Three Jaks!
is there realy a jak 3 ?
I finally done it! :-D
jak 2 is an awesome game. cant wait 4 the third one. i have beaten jak 2 5 times.:-)
I am wandering the city with no mission and no icon on the map. The "missions" icon shows no missions in progress. Why can't I find a mission?
I love this game I've grown very attached to this game.. Now i don't think of this as just a GAME I think of it as a human bein I love this game It's like My heart was ripped out and binded with this game like I need it to live... And viwer who read this I'm no freak or dork I love this game soo... much that I'm willing to do what ever to go inside the world of Jak II I opened a portal to another demtion in my Dreams, Every night i dream aboutt his game and its the same dream over & over agian & agian.... If you buy or already have this game It will indeed give you Happynes !!!! well Neomail and Email me At _whack_attack_ or memichaell@comcast.net
help me get the hoverboard and where is dead town
tell me HOW TO Beat THE GAME
JAK2 IS AN AMAZING PIECE OF WORK ITS FAST,FUNNY AND MYSTERIOUS LIKE THE FIRST
Jak is cute in this game, I love him lots :-D
Hey it's me agian :-) I would like to say i'm more in love with jak 2 then ever ever !!!!! I WAN'T TO BE A KRIMZON GUARD IT WOULD BE AWSOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!
i can't get passed the class 3 race to find keira-can anyone tell me how to win the race?
this game was really easy to beat i beat it in 4 days. if anyone needs help email me. tell me theres going to be a jak 3 also.
Nobody cares that I'm possed with the game ?? O yeah I'm at killing Kor ! The very very end !
i cant find the precursor eggs i need help
I threw and broke 2 controlers in the process of beating this game, but it was totally worth it
There is definately a Jak3
There are 3 versions of Jak now:
Normal Jak
Dark Jak and
Light Jack
Jak gets thrown out of Haven City into the wastelands because Dark Jak was too vicious, Thats how it starts, im not sure about the main plot though
It is great and if anyone says other wise, Tell them I'll but them in a whole new world.
i love jak2 and i cant wate for jak 3
i have beaten jak 2 but i cant find all of the orbs i need a map of where they all are.
I love jak 2 but am totally frustrated as i cant defeat the 5 hell cats loose in the city someone please help me!
v good game, got hours of fun, but once completed there is a real lack of things to do.
jak 2 is wicked and i'm going to buy the first and third ones.
your story sucked if i ever saw u i would kick u to da kurb so bring it on mother plucker.
sincerly dimitri
ps come fight me u bald headed wuss!!!!
yall r strange jak2 is awsome
i read something about a omega orbcheat crap
wathever it is can someone inform me
I love the jak games. Unfortunely i'm stuck on Jak 2 where you have to kill the 5 hellcats. I've tried many different ways, any one know ways on how to do this?
Thank you anyways, but i did after many many many attemps. You just gotta be patiant and keep trying. Thank you.
:-)tell were they r in haven city please
4 metal kor at the end of the game collect all ur ammo and so u have dark jak then vs him shot him and the metal heads. 2.flying metal heads come so watch them they shoot u from behind. 3. he breaks out and stars following u run away and press L2 dark jak will come then press X and then square in the air jak will do dark bomb his health will be at half on the last step DONT FORGET COLLECT THE AMMO UP AND KEEP DOING IT TILL FULL IF U GET HIT JUMP DOWN THE HOLE SO U GET FULL AMMO AND GET DARK JAK READY 4THE LAST BIT DONT TRY AND VS HIM WHEN U R ALL READY HIT WATCH OUT HE DOES BLASTS ON THE FIRST BIT HE ONLY SHOOTS 1 BUT ON THE 2ND HE SHOOTS 3 AND ON THE THE 3RD HE SHOOTS 3 HOPE I HELPED U.