I couldn't put this better myself...
(PennyArcade)
Naughty Dog had the guts to take this sequel in a very different direction. The game starts off with the main character Jak being thrown in jail where he is tortured and experimented on for two years. Obviously this isn't going to be the same goofy, lighthearted platform game the first one was. That doesn't mean the game isn't funny. In fact I'd say Jak II sports even better writing than the first one and delivers even more laughs.
Every character is just that, a character. Through the use of brilliant animation, gorgeous character designs, stunning levels and talented voice acting Naughty Dog has created an unbelievably rich world, and brought it to life in a way that few other games ever have. The fact that you will never see a loading screen only adds to the immersion. How they managed to do what they have done with Jak II on the Playstation is a Goddamned mystery.
Beyond the graphical improvements the game play has also received some major tweaking. You take missions in a hub city the same way you might in a game like GTA3. Hell you will even find yourself jacking hover cars and outrunning the local authorities. the missions you take though, will send you outside the city walls or into it's factories and sewers on more traditional platform style quests. You will find yourself collecting thing-a-majigs or wang-a-mabobs in an effort to satisfy the mission requirements. However the missions and the characters you receive them from make sense in way that most platform games simply don't. Destroying sentry guns in the sewer for a smuggler or blowing up ammunition for the resistance. The sorts of things you find yourself doing have a real purpose in the game world as opposed to collecting music notes or space nuts so that you can open some fucking gate somewhere.
Jak II also builds on the combat by giving you some new weapons. You can still swing daxter around and punch stuff but Jak now has an assortment of rifles and such that he can use to dish out damage as well. Jack can also transform into a evil version of himself in order to tear shit up with his claws and special dark powers you learn as the game progresses. There are weapon combos that will allow you to smack one target with your gun and then immediately fire on the next. Overall the combat in JAk II is significantly more entertaining than in the first game.
What it all boils down to is that Jak II is a perfect sequel.
posted by A 9:19 AM
Thursday, October 09, 2003
Two for you and me, Mr DaveSpice!
"Wow that is a tune and a half, I have a feeling this was the mix I've been searching for, ever since I heard it playing on a (non company aproved) tape piped into an EB store I tried to ask about it at the time but the guy there didnt know a thing about it except the guy who made it was away that day lol."
"Oh man, this is one of my two favorite songs on the entire site. I have it on a CD and whenever I'm in the car all my friends ask to listen to it. You did a great freakin job. Keep up the good work!"
That's my day made!
posted by A 1:26 PMMonday, October 06, 2003
Ok, OK... I defaulted to getting through to the semi-finals in the Dj competition, being one of only two Dj's to turn up. Next event is Monday week (13th of October), I think.
posted by A 11:33 AMWednesday, October 01, 2003
Funny thing is, he still sleeps like this.
Only there's a couple less things there now.
posted by A 8:00 AM