Jak 3 E3 2004 Preshow Impressions

The next follow-up to Jak and Daxter starts with Jak's banishment to the Wasteland, a huge new desert environment that's five times the size of Haven City. Jak 3 introduces vehicles to the mix of platforming, puzzles, and exploration, and the large area often makes it faster to drive around. To complement the driving, a full-physics system has been added, not only to make the vehicles responsive but also to bring rag-doll effects to characters--plus cloth dynamics.

Since the last game, Haven City has changed dramatically, because a Metal Head attack has destroyed the palace and a large portion of the city. The inhabitants have grown to distrust Jak's dark powers, and the game sees not only the introduction of new dark powers but also light powers. Since Jak has been exposed to Light Eco, he can transform into Light Jak, which gives him new abilities, such as being able to glide through the air on large, angelic wings. Daxter also plays a much larger role in Jak 3 and is fully playable in specific areas.

The new game brings more guns and vehicles into the mix, and each vehicle is equipped with weapons to keep things interesting. Each weapon can receive two significant upgrades, and, in addition to some off-road vehicles, the titan suit and jetboard make their returns.

Jak 3 is scheduled for release in late 2004.