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Jak II Preview

We start our journey into Naughty Dog's impressive sequel to Jak and Daxter.

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We've started making our way through a preview version of Jak II, Naughty Dog's sequel to Jak and Daxter. As mentioned in our previous coverage of the game, Jak II is shaping up to offer a decidedly different experience from its predecessor. The game features a more complex story that is matched by richer gameplay. After spending some time with the preview version, we have to say we're pleased by the promising direction in which the game is headed.

Jak II's story evolves throughout the game into something more complicated and twisted than you'd expect.
Jak II's story evolves throughout the game into something more complicated and twisted than you'd expect.

When last we saw the dynamic duo of Jak and Daxter, the pair had done all right for themselves by the end of their first outing as platform heroes. However, there were still a few unanswered questions about the mysterious precursors, an ancient race that had vanished but had left some technology and other artifacts behind. When Jak II picks up, we find the pair exactly where we left them at the end of Jak and Daxter. The precursor mystery deepens as the two wind up getting sucked into a warp that drops them into a strange future. Before Jak can absorb everything that's happened, he's knocked out and captured by mysterious red-clad soldiers who cart him off to prison. During the commotion it becomes clear that Daxter's devotion to his pal doesn't extend to joining him in the big house, and the tiny critter runs like the wind while vowing to save Jak.

Two years later we find Jak being experimented on by scientists in the employ of Baron Praxis, the mysterious figure who currently rules things in this bizarre future. The bleak situation is remedied by the appearance of Daxter, who apparently took the scenic route to fulfilling his vow of securing Jak's freedom. Once liberated, Jak begins his quest to return home. While getting back to his own time period obviously remains a big priority, getting revenge on Praxis soon looms large, driving the young action hero on toward his sinister goal. As you play the game and guide Jak as he meets up with a variety of new faces, the story will evolve into something much more complicated and a bit twisted.

Jak II's gameplay builds solidly on that of its predecessor.
Jak II's gameplay builds solidly on that of its predecessor.

The gameplay in Jak II builds on the solid core mechanics of its predecessor and manages to add a lot more to the experience without breaking it. One of the nice touches is the way you're eased into everything. When you start the game you'll have access to all of the abilities Jak had at the end of the first game. As you make your way out of the jail where Jak has been held and experimented on for the last two years, Daxter will remind you how to perform those core moves. Once you're out and about exploring the strange new city, your move list will gradually grow to encompass the ability to use a hoverboard as well as a multifunctional rifle. Probably the most striking new element in Jak's repertoire, although it's not a "move" per se, is his ability to use dark ico to morph into Dark Jak, a pale, buff killing machine that kicks all butt for brief periods of time. You'll also be able to make use of just about any vehicle you find floating in the air by "borrowing" it, Grand Theft Auto style. In addition to looking cool, you can get around quicker and get a better look at Naughty Dog's impressively designed city.

Jak II's structure tightens the original game's open-ended approach and gives you a much more streamlined experience. You'll still have much of the same freedom you had in the first game, but Jak II ties just about everything you do to its story and keeps the repetition to a minimum. The game is mission based as before, and the early tasks will serve to familiarize you with the city and how to get around and will introduce you to the game's extended cast of characters. One of the key new features in the game is the addition of AI characters that will come along on missions. In some cases this can be a good thing, since they'll be packing some useful firepower. However, it also means you'll have to spend some time looking out for less-capable AI characters who are vital to completing a mission. From what we've played so far, the game balance does a fine job of keeping the pace brisk and varied.

Jak II's graphics are leaps and bounds above its already impressive predecessor's.
Jak II's graphics are leaps and bounds above its already impressive predecessor's.

The graphics in Jak II are leaps and bounds above what its impressive (for the time) predecessor did on the PlayStation 2. In many ways, the game seems poised to be as compelling a reminder of the PlayStation 2's processing muscle as the original Jak and Daxter was back in 2001. The character models in the game have seen some significant bumps in their poly counts and are more detailed. One of the impressive little touches, and you'll find quite a few in the game, is that character detail extends a bit deeper than the raw poly counts of the characters. You'll notice little nuances--such as the reflection of moisture in Daxter's eyes or subtle idle animation--that add more personality to the characters in the game.

As far as the environments go, there's little point in comparing Jak II's locales with its predecessor's--this game simply blows them away on every level. From a technical standpoint you'll see increased detail and poly counts, with little touches such as a cycling weather system and moving pedestrians that react to you. The sheer size of the levels is also head and shoulders above those in the original game, although you're initially deceived at the start of the game. Your early journeys through the city show off only a small fraction of what it has to offer. Once you start to collect security cards that open up more of the main city, you'll find one heck of a sprawling metropolis to explore. And in spite of the drastic improvement in the game's graphics, the frame rate is impressively high. Though the preview version we saw is a work in progress, the game already moves at a consistently fast clip. Finally, the game features a very impressive collection of real-time cinemas that move the story along but stay dynamic due to their real-time reflection of the weather.

Jak II's sound design is richly produced and showcases the game's Dolby Pro Logic II support to good effect.
Jak II's sound design is richly produced and showcases the game's Dolby Pro Logic II support to good effect.

The audio in the game is coming together nicely. The version we played didn't feature the final mix of sound, but what was on hand was promising. The game's soundtrack is a rich and dynamic collection of tracks that change to match the tone of the onscreen action. The game's dark tone has allowed the soundtrack to draw on a wide variety of influences and to offer a broad palette of music. Sound effects in the game are rich as well, showcasing the Dolby Pro Logic II support to good effect. Explosions and gunfire are satisfying, with nice bass tones. The strongest aspect of the game's audio so far is likely the voice acting, which is solid and convincing.

From what we've played so far, Jak II is shaping up to be one impressive game. The combination of a richer story, deeper gameplay, and drastically improved graphics should make for a stellar second entry in this promising series. Jak II is currently slated to ship this fall exclusively for the PlayStation 2. Look for more on the game in the coming weeks.

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