Developer High Impact Games (Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters) seems to have the characters and tone of the series locked down. The verdict's still out on the gameplay's mix of action, platforming and air combat, but we'll hopefully get to spend more time with the game -- which, oddly, seems to be flying under most people's radars -- soon.
See Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier's high drama, hijinks
by Randy Nelson 
on Aug 19th 2009 11:30PM
43
Developer High Impact Games (Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters) seems to have the characters and tone of the series locked down. The verdict's still out on the gameplay's mix of action, platforming and air combat, but we'll hopefully get to spend more time with the game -- which, oddly, seems to be flying under most people's radars -- soon.
Reader Comments (43)
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 11:36PM (Unverified) said
Hopefully it's more like Jak 2 and 3 than the first. The first was just your regular ol platformer, nothing special about it. Sure they copied GTA with 2 and 3, but there was a lot of variety in the missions and there was still platforming.
I could have done without the edgier Jak, but 2 and 3 were masterpieces. I wish ND would make a ps3 version in between Uncharted's, like Insomniac does with Ratchet.
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I could have done without the edgier Jak, but 2 and 3 were masterpieces. I wish ND would make a ps3 version in between Uncharted's, like Insomniac does with Ratchet.
Posted: Aug 20th 2009 12:03AM (Unverified) said
I completely disagree. I think Jak 2 and 3 complete screwed with the formula of the first just to create more "originality."
Kinda like the recent Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts.
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Kinda like the recent Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts.
Posted: Aug 20th 2009 12:09AM (Unverified) said
But there was nothing special about Jak 1. It was literally a carbon copy of every 3D platformer that had been made at that time, with a new story and characters. People like to forgive that with platformers because hardly any get made anymore.
I mean 2 and 3 had racing missions, shooting galleries, vehicle combat (and missions) and open world driving, hoverboard missions, missions on the back of creatures, etc...while at the same time keeping plenty of platforming in the story levels.
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I mean 2 and 3 had racing missions, shooting galleries, vehicle combat (and missions) and open world driving, hoverboard missions, missions on the back of creatures, etc...while at the same time keeping plenty of platforming in the story levels.
Posted: Aug 20th 2009 12:18AM TheDarkWayne said
2 and 3 are in my top 10 favorite games ever, im so happy their making a new one i can barely believe it.
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Posted: Aug 19th 2009 11:42PM Typicalgamer said
which is better???
jak and daxter, R&C, or sly??
Reply
jak and daxter, R&C, or sly??
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 11:49PM SheppyReturns said
Agreed, you really can't go wrong no matter which one one you choose. I personally prefer Ratchet but that's because Insomniac makes great weapons that are just a joy to shoot.
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 10:20AM (Unverified) said
jak and daxter has a stronger story
ratchet and clank has more guns and is more accessible
and sly cooper is a combination of story and accessibility
Reply
ratchet and clank has more guns and is more accessible
and sly cooper is a combination of story and accessibility
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 11:54PM SheppyReturns said
And some worlds are disc shaped, held by the trunks of four massive elephants, Point?
You're questioning the logic in a FICTIONAL universe where elves are trying to save the world from environmental disaster.... STOP IT.
Reply
You're questioning the logic in a FICTIONAL universe where elves are trying to save the world from environmental disaster.... STOP IT.
Posted: Aug 19th 2009 11:51PM SheppyReturns said
You know, five years down the road and PSP graphics still amaze me. I know it's a cliche but still. It's hard not to be impressed by the little handheld.
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 12:08AM Special Agent Steve said
It is a nice handheld. The only thing that beats it is the Pandora. Some have gotten it up to scaling PS2 games :O
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 12:18AM Kyogissun said
...Pretty sure that's the PS2 version we saw.
Not to call the PSP crappy, but it lacks the anti-aliasing the PS2 might be more capable of.
Still, very excited for what will TECHNICALLY be Jak 4. Here's hopes that this isn't the last game ever for the series. It may not be the most groundbreaking series ever but much like R&C, if it ain't broke, DON'T FUCKING FIX IT. Just improve, improve, improve.
And I myself found Jak 3 a nice balance of all of the games... Now Nuts and Bolts, THAT was a big fuck up. IT didn't suck but it sure as hell didn't feel quite like the Banjo-Kazooie I wanted to play.
Here's hoping the 'real' Banjo-Threeie is in the works. Maybe on the Logbox 720?
Reply
Not to call the PSP crappy, but it lacks the anti-aliasing the PS2 might be more capable of.
Still, very excited for what will TECHNICALLY be Jak 4. Here's hopes that this isn't the last game ever for the series. It may not be the most groundbreaking series ever but much like R&C, if it ain't broke, DON'T FUCKING FIX IT. Just improve, improve, improve.
And I myself found Jak 3 a nice balance of all of the games... Now Nuts and Bolts, THAT was a big fuck up. IT didn't suck but it sure as hell didn't feel quite like the Banjo-Kazooie I wanted to play.
Here's hoping the 'real' Banjo-Threeie is in the works. Maybe on the Logbox 720?
Posted: Aug 20th 2009 12:26AM TheDarkWayne said
i dunno phil, I really really love the jak series, but this whole focus on air combat seems a little too different, i hope it works out but im still worried. I just hope that naughty dog will go back to the series, they're a big studio and with mega hits like uncharted i dont see why they cant afford to have moe than 1 prokect
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 3:13AM TheDarkWayne said
everyone who plays games seriously thought psychonauts was great, maybe if even wii playing grandmas think it was great that would make more sense. But seriously nuts and bolts was blah
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 12:17AM LuTon James said
I would really love to see Naughty Dog do another Jak game. It would be awesome to see what they could do on their ps3 engine. A downloadable game similar to Quest for Booty between Uncharted 2 and 3 would be perfect imo.
Come to think of it, I would love to see other great playstation platformers return. Ape Escape 4 or Sly 4 anyone? Atleast Insomniac are keeping the high standards up with the Ratchet games.
Reply
Come to think of it, I would love to see other great playstation platformers return. Ape Escape 4 or Sly 4 anyone? Atleast Insomniac are keeping the high standards up with the Ratchet games.
Posted: Aug 20th 2009 12:19AM TheDarkWayne said
seriously why isnt this on PS3? I would pay 1000 for a PS3 to get this let alone 299
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 12:21AM Kyogissun said
True, it is sad to see the platformer/shooter animated game series go down the toilet.
Sure Crash Bandicoot sank like a ship that not only had leaks, but was filled with cinder blocks, but the platforming trifecta of Sly, Jak and Rachet were just fucking great...
We just need the others to join Rachet on the PS3 already.
Naughty Dog, please... After Uncharted 2 is done, 'please' consider beginning a new plot-line for the Jak series. Or hell, have it start new characters but be set in an alternate/similar universe
Reply
Sure Crash Bandicoot sank like a ship that not only had leaks, but was filled with cinder blocks, but the platforming trifecta of Sly, Jak and Rachet were just fucking great...
We just need the others to join Rachet on the PS3 already.
Naughty Dog, please... After Uncharted 2 is done, 'please' consider beginning a new plot-line for the Jak series. Or hell, have it start new characters but be set in an alternate/similar universe
Posted: Aug 20th 2009 12:26AM (Unverified) said
Don't get me wrong, I love this series but I started to have doubts after that somewhat lackluster racing game. But now I see they're adding a pointy eared version of Balthier from FFXII? Faith restored. I kind of wish I had a PSP now.
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 12:30AM TheDarkWayne said
it's on PS2 as well, and really, why wouldnt you have one of those?
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 3:00AM SolidSnakeEyes said
Extremely unthrilled with this game being potentially 60% air combat, but if I do buy it I'll go with the PS2 version. It should have superior controls to the PSP version and hopefully enhanced graphics.
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 4:04AM TheBrainninja said
There's a part of me that wishes for the save files on PS2 and PSP to be compatible, but I don't even know if that's possible. I think it'd be awesome to have the best of both worlds, you know? But they probably use an entirely different save file format.
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 12:44PM SolidSnakeEyes said
Yeah, they've gotta be two different formats.
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 3:16AM Tridrakious said
This isn't flying under my radar. I've been waiting for a true Jak and Daxter game for awhile.
Daxter was fun and I really enjoyed it, but that was over 2 and a half years ago and was kinda bite size.
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Daxter was fun and I really enjoyed it, but that was over 2 and a half years ago and was kinda bite size.
Posted: Aug 20th 2009 4:52AM Mr Clickerson said
They need to bring a new Jak & Daxter to the PS3. That would be a day one purchase for me.
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 5:24AM jhowlett said
i was just reading someone from ND said they'd love to bring jak and daxter to ps3, they're just waiting for the go ahead from sony. i want a reissue collection of the J&D, R&C, and sly cooper games for ps2 like the mgs and devil may cry. hit man even has a set.
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 8:20AM Gibbeynator said
You know, if they didn't use eco to power their cars, they wouldn't be running out at such an alarming rate.
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 10:08AM mrhumble1 said
Anyone who says the original Jak & Daxter was "just your standard platformer" got a bad bag of whatever they are smoking. Jak and Daxter was an excellent game all around (pacing, level design, collectables, etc) and deserves a spot in anyone's top 10 list.
I think most people who have played all 3 and truly love platformers will agree that the series fell off after the first game. Jak 2 was too hard and had too many non-platforming elements (shooting/driving). There were some driving missions in the original game, but they were not a main part of the experience. Jak 2 had a lot of driving missions, and Jak 3 had waaay too much focus on driving challenges. These games are supposed to be platformers, not racers.
I'm all for a new Jak game, but lets stick to platforming and stay away from driving and shooting so much, ok Naughty Dog??
J
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I think most people who have played all 3 and truly love platformers will agree that the series fell off after the first game. Jak 2 was too hard and had too many non-platforming elements (shooting/driving). There were some driving missions in the original game, but they were not a main part of the experience. Jak 2 had a lot of driving missions, and Jak 3 had waaay too much focus on driving challenges. These games are supposed to be platformers, not racers.
I'm all for a new Jak game, but lets stick to platforming and stay away from driving and shooting so much, ok Naughty Dog??
J
Posted: Aug 20th 2009 11:02AM Agent Goomba said
This game looks sweet. Too bad I got rid of my PSP (for the second time). Well, I'll see what the PSP Go gots to offer. Worst case scenario, I ask a friend to let me use their PSP for this game.
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Posted: Aug 20th 2009 1:42PM mindsize said
I can't wait for this one. I think the acting and animation was really slow though. It seems kind of awkward. I'm definitely getting it though. I hope it's as much fun as the previous installments.
It would be awesome to actually see Naughty Dog do a full PS3 game with Jak and Daxter at some point. It's great what Ratchet and Clank are doing and the PS3 could sure use some platforming games.
Reply
It would be awesome to actually see Naughty Dog do a full PS3 game with Jak and Daxter at some point. It's great what Ratchet and Clank are doing and the PS3 could sure use some platforming games.
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