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Jak II

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Jak II
North American box art
DeveloperNaughty Dog
PublisherSony Computer Entertainment
DirectorJason Rubin
DesignersEvan Wells
Hirokazu Yasuhara
Programmers
Artists
WriterDaniel Arey
Composers
SeriesJak and Daxter
PlatformPlayStation 2
Release
  • NA: October 14, 2003
  • AU: October 15, 2003
  • EU: October 17, 2003
GenresPlatformer, action-adventure
ModeSingle-player

Jak II[a] is an action-adventure video game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2 in 2003. It is the second game of the Jak and Daxter series and a sequel to Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. It was followed by Jak 3, released the next year.

The game features a darker tone and puts higher emphasis on combat than its predecessor; new weapons, devices and playable areas are available. The player takes on the dual role of protagonists Jak and Daxter.

Jak II received critical acclaim upon release. Critics applauded the game for being very polished in nearly every department, with many agreeing it was one of the best PlayStation 2 games released at the time. Some criticism, however, was directed at the checkpoint systems, darker tone, and high difficulty.

Gameplay

Jak II is an open world 3D platformer with elements of action-adventure.[1] The player controls Jak, who must navigate the dystopian Haven City on a quest for vengeance against the tyrannical Baron Praxis, who subjected Jak to torturous experiments for two years.[2] The game's world is seamless, allowing free exploration across interconnected areas.[3]

Jak's basic actions include running, jumping, double-jumping, crouching, and a rolling jump to reach distant platforms. Jak's combat moves include a spin attack, a dash-punch, a dive attack, and an uppercut.[4][5] Jak's melee skills are complemented by the Morph-Gun, a firearm that can be upgraded and modified for different firepower capabilities.[6] Jak has unlimited lives; when his health is depleted, he respawns in the beginning of the last section of the area he was located in.[7][8] A quarter of Jak's health can be replenished by collecting Health Packs.[9]

The Jet-Board enables faster travel and a variety of tricks. Carjacking Zoomers (hovering cars) of varying speed and durability also provides transportation around Haven City, and is sometimes required to complete an objective.[10] Due to Praxis' experiments, Jak can absorb a substance known as Dark Eco in small concentrated amounts;[9] the amount of collected Dark Eco is indicated by a meter circling a picture of Jak on the lower-left corner of the screen.[7] When the meter is full, Jak can transform into Dark Jak, a powerful form capable of massive melee abilities than can clear out multiple enemies.[10] New abilities for Dark Jak can be obtained by exchanging Metal Head Skull Gems (gemstones collected from enemies known as Metal Heads) with a mysterious teacher.[3][9]

The game features a mission-based structure in which the player can choose tasks non-linearly.[11] Missions are diverse, encompassing platforming, racing, mech suit operations, and protection tasks.[12][13] Precursor Orbs, which unlock special options and features, can be found hidden within the game's environments or earned by completing certain tasks.[3][9][14]

Plot

In Sandover Village, Jak, Daxter, Keira and Samos activate the mysterious Precursor Ring recovered from Gol's citadel[b] using a vehicle known as a Rift Rider. This triggers the emergence of monstrous creatures, including a massive beast, forcing the group to flee through the Ring. The Rift Rider explodes, separating Jak and Daxter from Keira and Samos, and they crash-land in Haven City, a dystopian future ruled by the tyrannical Baron Praxis. Jak is captured by the Krimson Guards and subjected to brutal Dark Eco experiments for two years, transforming him into a vengeful figure capable of becoming Dark Jak. Daxter, after evading capture, infiltrates the fortress to rescue Jak, who breaks free using his new powers.

In Haven City, Jak and Daxter encounter Kor, an old man with a mysterious green-haired boy, who informs them of Praxis' oppressive rule and directs them to the Underground, a resistance group commanded by Torn and led by a younger version of Samos. To prove their loyalty, Torn tasks them with missions like stealing the Baron's banner from Dead Town (the ruins of Sandover Village) and restoring water to the slums. During these missions, they discover Krimson Guards supplying Dark Eco to Metal Heads, the creatures that attacked Sandover Village. Jak's hatred for Praxis fuels his determination to undermine him.

The duo meets Krew, a shady saloon owner, who hires them for tasks like retrieving artifacts and eliminating Metal Heads. Krew reveals Praxis' arrangement with the Metal Heads, exchanging Eco for controlled attacks to justify his regime. Jak also learns of Praxis' search for the Tomb of Mar, which holds the Precursor Stone, a powerful artifact. Mar, the legendary founder of Haven City, hid the Stone from the Metal Heads, the ancient enemy and destroyer of the Precursor civilization. Praxis seeks the Stone to solidify his power, while the Metal Heads, led by their Leader (the large creature that emerged from the Ring), aim to consume its energy. Meanwhile, Jak reconnects with Keira, now a mechanic and racer, who is building a new Rift Rider to return them to their time.

Jak's missions escalate as he works with Ashelin, Praxis' daughter and a conflicted Krimson Guard member, and Onin, a blind soothsayer, who tasks him with recovering artifacts to locate the Tomb of Mar. Jak and Daxter thwart Praxis' plans, including destroying a weapons factory where Krew and Praxis intend to use a Piercer Bomb to crack the Precursor Stone open. Krew's betrayal leads to his demise, and from him Jak recovers the Heart of Mar gemstone, a key component for Keira's Rift Rider. The city falls under siege as Kor reveals himself as the Metal Head Leader, having manipulated events to access the Stone. At a construction site, Praxis — mortally injured by the Metal Head Leader — reveals a second Piercer Bomb with the Precursor Stone attached, and Daxter disarms the bomb to secure the Stone.

In the final confrontation at the Metal Head nest, the Leader reveals that the boy is Jak's younger self and that the Stone houses a Precursor entity that only young Jak can release. After Jak defeats the Metal Head Leader, young Jak releases the Precursor entity, which declares the Precursors' war against the Metal Heads over and tells Jak that his Dark Eco corruption has been balanced with light. Young Jak and young Samos are sent back to the past to fulfill their destinies, while the Precursor Ring is destroyed. Ashelin becomes Haven City's governor, and Torn leads the reformed Krimson Guard. Daxter rebrands Krew's saloon as the Naughty Ottsel, where the group celebrates their victory. Jak reflects on his younger self, and Samos hints at future adventures involving Mar, the city's legendary founder.

Development and release

Jak II began development in 2001, as soon as the original shipped.[15][16] Director Jason Rubin confirmed the sequel's existence during a roundtable discussion at D.I.C.E. 2003.[17] Sony Computer Entertainment then officially announced Jak II on March 18, 2003.[18] The game took two years to make, with 52 people, 140 voice actors, two musicians, and three sound engineers, plus Sony's internal staff,[19] with a budget of $15 million.[20]

Noting the success of mature titles such as Grand Theft Auto III and the lower sales of The Precursor Legacy compared to Naughty Dog's Crash Bandicoot games, Rubin decided that the sequel should react to the market, as their demographic grew older and younger players preferred adult games.[16][21][22] Thus, Naughty Dog gave the game a darker tone and a plot about Jak seeking vengeance, and increased the difficulty in response to complaints of the first game being too easy.[23][22] The addition of the hoverboard was inspired by Tony Hawk's Pro Skater.[22] Naughty Dog wanted to emphasize storytelling even more than the first game while still integrating it into the gameplay, so they made much of the collecting optional and eschewed full-motion videos in favor of in-engine cutscenes.[16][23] Unlike its predecessor, which uses the same character models for gameplay and cutscenes, Jak II uses unique high-resolution models for its cutscenes, done in response to early screenshots of Kingdom Hearts.[24]

The voice-acting was jointly recorded in the Los Angeles-based Pop Sound and the New York City-based Howard Schwartz Recording.[25]

Reception

Jak II received "generally positive reviews", according to review aggregator Metacritic.[26]

The gameplay was celebrated for its ambitious blend of diverse mechanics, expanding beyond traditional platforming to incorporate elements inspired by Grand Theft Auto, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and other genres.[c] Reviewers praised the game's non-linear mission-based structure for enhancing replayability and engagement.[d] The range of missions was described as a dynamic experience that keeps players engaged.[e] The addition of guns was welcomed for adding depth to combat and seamlessly integrating with Jak's traditional melee moves.[f] The Jet-Board was appreciated for its functionality, though some noted its controls lack the precision of dedicated skateboarding games.[3][12][27][28] Navigating Haven City's crowded streets was a common pain point, with sluggish vehicle handling and repetitive travel between missions detracting from the open-world experience.[g]

Steven Petite and Jon Bitner of Digital Trends consider Jak II to be the best in the series and one of the PlayStation 2's best platformers.[38] Kotaku's Luke Plunkett called Jak II one of the best PlayStation 2 games, highlighting the game's scale and characters.[39]

Criticisms were given to Jak II's shortage of mission checkpoints and overall difficulty. As Naughty Dog developer Josh Scherr once admitted: "One thing that everybody can agree on though, is that the game is just way too fucking hard."[40] IGN named Jak II the #8 hardest PlayStation 2 game, citing its combat, platforming, city navigation, and instant death scenarios.[41] Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine remarked: "It isn't proper to expect us to be perfect in order to make up for your game's many imbalances… Life might not be fair, but I certainly expect my games to be."[32] However, some saw the challenge as a positive, such as Adam Pavlacka of PlayStation Magazine, who said: "I appreciate a good challenge in today's games, and JAK II offers it."[8]

Accolades

Jak II won Editor's Choice from IGN[35] and GameSpot,[36] and was followed by a nomination for Best PlayStation 2 Game by GameSpot as well.[42] GameSpot named it the best PlayStation 2 game of October 2003.[43] During the AIAS' 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, Jak II received nominations for "Console Platform Action/Adventure Game of the Year" and outstanding achievements in "Animation", "Art Direction", "Gameplay Engineering", "Visual Engineering", and "Character Performance - Female" for Anna Garduño's vocal portrayal of Keira.[44]

Jak II was added to Sony's Greatest Hits lineup on September 8, 2004, signifying at least 400,000 copies sold in its first 11 months.[45] Jak II received a "Platinum Prize" in Japan for sales of over one million units.[15] Worldwide, the game sold more than 1.6 million units by April 2004.[46]

Remasters

In 2012, Jak II was remastered in the Jak and Daxter Collection on the PlayStation 3,[47] with the collection releasing on the PlayStation Vita a year later.[48] In 2017, Jak II was made available to play on the PlayStation 4 via emulation, featuring high-definition graphics and trophy support,[49] and later became available on PlayStation 5 through backward compatibility.

Like its predecessor, the game was unofficially ported to PC by fans in 2023 as part of the OpenGOAL project.[50]

Notes

  1. ^ Jak II: Renegade in Europe and Oceania
  2. ^ As depicted in Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
  3. ^ [1][3][5][8][12][13][27][28][31][32][33][34][37]
  4. ^ [1][3][5][8][13][33]
  5. ^ [1][3][5][13][28][33][34][37]
  6. ^ [1][3][5][27][34]
  7. ^ [1][12][13][31][32][33]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Perry, Douglass C. (October 9, 2003). "Jak II". IGN. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013.
  2. ^ Sony Computer Entertainment 2003, p. 8.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Knutson, Michael (October 25, 2003). "Jak II Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 26, 2003. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  4. ^ Sony Computer Entertainment 2003, pp. 4–7.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Shoemaker, Brad (October 14, 2003). "Jak II Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014.
  6. ^ Sony Computer Entertainment 2003, pp. 16–17.
  7. ^ a b Sony Computer Entertainment 2003, p. 11.
  8. ^ a b c d e Pavlacka, Adam (November 2003). "PSM Reviews: Jak II". PlayStation Magazine. No. 77. pp. 32–34.
  9. ^ a b c d Sony Computer Entertainment 2003, p. 12.
  10. ^ a b Sony Computer Entertainment 2003, pp. 14–15.
  11. ^ Sony Computer Entertainment 2003, p. 13.
  12. ^ a b c d e Johnston, Chris; Fielder, Joe; Bettenhausen, Shane (November 2003). "Review Crew: Jak II". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 172. pp. 182–183.
  13. ^ a b c d e f Reed, Kristan (October 8, 2003). "Jak II: Renegade". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 24, 2003. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  14. ^ Sony Computer Entertainment 2003, p. 10.
  15. ^ a b "Naughty Dog – 30 Year Timeline". Naughty Dog. Archived from the original on August 13, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  16. ^ a b c Moriarty, Colin (October 4, 2013). "Rising to Greatness: The History of Naughty Dog". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  17. ^ IGN Staff (February 28, 2003). "DICE 2003: Jak and Daxter 2". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  18. ^ "SCEA Announces Jak II". IGN. Ziff Davis. March 18, 2003.
  19. ^ Newman, Heather (July 31, 2003). "Game producer is one of the top dogs". Detroit Free Press. p. 133. Archived from the original on January 1, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Jason Rubin (2004). "Fear: An Appropriate Response To The Future Of Video Game Development". Morgan Rose. p. 8. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  21. ^ IGN Staff (March 3, 2003). "DICE 2003: Ins and Outs of Sequels". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  22. ^ a b c "Jak 2 Jason Rubin Interview". PSM2 DVD Vol 38 August 2003. PlayStation 2 Magazine (DVD). Future plc. Retrieved May 21, 2025 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ a b Perry, Douglass (March 18, 2003). "Jak II: Hands-On". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  24. ^ Koselke, Anna (October 15, 2024). "Kingdom Hearts forced Naughty Dog to go "oh sh*t" while making Jak 2, because Square Enix's character models were so much more detailed that the platformer devs had to change course". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  25. ^ Naughty Dog (October 14, 2003). Jak II (PlayStation 2). Sony Computer Entertainment. Level/area: Credits.
  26. ^ a b "Jak II for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 22, 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  27. ^ a b c d Leone, Matt (October 10, 2003). "Jak II (PS2) Review". 1Up.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2003. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  28. ^ a b c d Lucas, Victor (November 20, 2003). "Jak II". The Electric Playground. Archived from the original on March 27, 2004. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  29. ^ Reiner, Andrew (November 2003). "Reviews: Jak II". Game Informer. No. 127. p. 136.
  30. ^ Gee, Brian (October 2003). "Jak II - PlayStation 2 Review". GameRevolution. Archived from the original on November 3, 2003. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  31. ^ a b c Turner, Benjamin (October 14, 2003). "Jak II (PS2)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on December 2, 2003. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  32. ^ a b c d Steinman, Gary (November 2003). "Reviews: Jak II". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 74. p. 129.
  33. ^ a b c d e Bryant, Jonathan (September 16, 2003). "Jak 2: Renegade". PSM2. GamesRadar. Archived from the original on October 8, 2003. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  34. ^ a b c d Speer, Justin (November 10, 2003). "Jak II (PS2) Review". X-Play. TechTV. Archived from the original on December 11, 2003. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  35. ^ a b IGNPS2 (December 15, 2003). "IGNPS2 Editor's Favorites 2003". IGN. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ a b "Editors' Choice Games". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  37. ^ a b Star Dingo (November 2003). "PlayStation 2 ProReviews: Jak II". GamePro. No. 182. p. 122.
  38. ^ Petite, Steven; Bitner, Jon (July 30, 2019). "The best PS2 games of all time". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on March 24, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  39. ^ Plunkett, Luke (December 15, 2016). "The Best PS2 Games". Kotaku. Archived from the original on December 15, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  40. ^ Moriarty, Colin (October 4, 2013). "Rising to Greatness: The History of Naughty Dog". IGN. p. 10. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  41. ^ "The Top 10 Most Challenging PS2 Games of All Time". IGN. April 27, 2005. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  42. ^ "Best PlayStation 2 game for 2003". GameSpot. Archived from the original on July 28, 2009. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  43. ^ Staff (October 31, 2003). "GameSpot's Month in Review for October 2003". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 7, 2003.
  44. ^ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Jak II". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  45. ^ Brown, Howard (September 8, 2004). "5 New Titles Added To PS2 Greatest Hits". Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. Retrieved August 3, 2007.
  46. ^ Buchanan, Levi (April 15, 2004). "On the fly". Chicago Tribune. p. 29. Retrieved January 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ^ "Jak and Daxter Collection hits PS3 February 7". Blog.us.playstation.com. January 24, 2012. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  48. ^ "Jak & Daxter Trilogy arrives on PSVita". Blog.eu.playstation.com. Archived from the original on June 24, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  49. ^ Sakar, Samit (December 1, 2017). "Three Jak and Daxter PS2 Classics arrive on PS4 next week". Polygon. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  50. ^ De Meo, Francesco (November 3, 2023). "Naughty Dog's Excellent Jak II Is Now Available on PC, Complete With High Framerates Support". Wccftech. Retrieved November 3, 2023.

Bibliography

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