Very different from the original game for better or for worse

User Rating: 9 | Jak II PS2

Jak 2 has a much different feel than its predecessor. Instead of using fists and eco (blue and red) for combat, in this installment several types of guns as well as dark eco help stave off enemies. Aside from having a much darker (perhaps less charming) tone than Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, the protagonist of the story (obviously being Jak) now has a voice, and just so happens to have a very brash demeanor on the contrary to the previous game in the franchise where Jak came across as quite humble. The game will keep one busy for quite some time as it has a lengthy story filled with variety and originality but one knock that I do have on Jak 2 is that its gameplay is very difficult (at certain points frustratingly hard) and somewhat unforgiving as it will set one back a ways if they die or fail a mission (were unable to beat the clock or keep someone safe). While the game can be a thorn in the side to play at certain spots, it brings length, plenty of originality and variety to the table, with an assortment of new characters to interact with and locations to explore.

Pros:

Length

Story

Character development

Cons:

Trial and error gameplay