Joystiq

Jak's loyal sidekick, Daxter, is finally ready to be a star. Aptly titled, Daxter, the PSP platformer was on display for CES attendees to fondle. The demo featured a training level and one of the mini-game dream levels, which was styled after Neo's fight with the Agent Smiths in Matrix Reloaded.

True to mini-game fashion, the player does not actually control Daxter's movements in the dream level. Instead as enemies approach Daxter an icon, associated with one of the face buttons, will appear in a circle in front of them. The circle will glow green once the enemy enters, that's when you tap the button and unleash a cinematic can of whoop ass. However, if you react too early or too late, Daxter will take a pounding. The dream level never got as hectic as we would have liked--only near the end do you have to press several buttons simultaneously--and it took only three attempts to clear the 40-enemy stage. Still, if the other dreams levels are as polished as this one, they'll be a satisfying distraction from the standard fare platforming that comprises the majority of the campaign.

The training level on-hand was what anyone might expect. You run or crawl through the stage, using your fly swatter to take down enemies, and your bug spray to stun foes, solve simple puzzles, and cross obstacles. The controls were smooth and well-mapped to the PSP. We especially liked how R & L are used to rotate the camera. The game elements come together into a tight package, albeit a familiar package. Our hope is that as the game progress we'll be treated to some pleasant surprises.

Upon exiting the demo, a promotional screen revealed multiplayer support. Players will use special bugs collected in the single-player game to battle other players' bugs in what must be some sort of virtual cock fight. We'll see come March.