Jak and Daxter: The Percursor Legacy is yet another 3D platform title to hit the PlayStation 2. This particular flavour of game is well represented on Sony’s 128-bit wonder, with Rayman and Crash vying for the attention of gamers. In an attempt to challenge the modern classic Mario 64, Jak and Daxter step up to settle the battle of the platformers once and for all.
The story of Jak and Daxter goes like this: one day, while exploring the ancient ruins of the forbidden island, your best friend Daxter is knocked into a vat of Dark Eco. This vile substance could corrupt the world forever if it falls into the wrong hands. Dark Eco has the ability to change DNA structure, and unfortunately Daxter is turned into a weasel-like rodent. There is only one person around with the knowhow to get Daxter back to normal, and with this information, the pair set off on their quest.
The first thing that you notice about Jak and Daxter is the quality of the game design. It’s immediately apparent that a massive amount of time has been invested in the development of this title. The game worlds, although cartoony, are beautifully rendered and lusciously detailed. Proving the PS2 can deliver sweet, solid environments. The game structure is also refined, the game follows a nice path, challenging and intelligent. The control method matches the visuals. With a little practice, it’s easy to forget about controlling Dax and get lost in the game world and story.
Overall, Jak and Daxter is a polished title that comfortably pushes the PS2 hardware to deliver impressive visuals while still managing to back it up with solid gameplay. If you’re a Mario, Crash or Rayman fan, then don’t miss out on this.