• ID = PS0406
• STYLE = 3D Platform
• DEV. = Naughty Dog, Inc.
• PUB. = Sony CEA, Inc.
• R-DATE = Oct-19-2004
• ESRB = T / For Teen
• PLAYERS = 1 player
• LIST PRICE = $39.99
  

One year has passed since Jak and Daxter saved Haven City from Kor and the attacking Metal Heads, yet Haven City is still immersed in deadly chaos as three groups fight for control of the streets. The people of Haven City have grown to distrust Jak's dark powers, and as rumors boil of Jak's ties with Krew and Kor, the city blames Jak for its current woeful circumstances. When the palace is destroyed by a surprise Metal Head attack, even Ashelin cannot protect Jak as the High Council's power broker, Count Veger, forces Jak into banishment to the desolate Wasteland. Jak is flown to the harsh island and dumped. With Daxter and Pecker bravely by his side, the three begin their next adventure where the battle for the city has just begun.

Five times the size of Haven City, the Wasteland is a desert environment with multiple areas including mines and a volcano. Given the enormity and variance in terrain, vehicles play a large role as off-road transportation is introduced, fueled by a true-to-life physics engine.

With a rugged new look and suited with armor, Jak is also equipped with an arsenal of new weapons with upgradeable mods that enable players to increase their firepower and enjoy the freedom to strategize and activate their arsenal at any time. As Jak has been exposed to Light Eco, players can now experience Jak's magnificent transformation to Light Jak. With a glowing electric blue aura and a massive wing span, Light Jak introduces new move sets, including the ability to glide great distances, emit an energy to block enemy attack, and power up at anytime, all of which provide the player with a sense of being invincible.

Dark Jak also returns with more capabilities, forcing Jak to find a balance between light and dark. Additionally, Naughty Dog continues to push the genre forward with the introduction of new technology. For the first time in the franchise, enemies feature realistic "Ragdoll Physics," which will allow gamers to witness a unique death for each enemy that is killed. Naughty Dog has also implemented independent cloth movement technology and enhanced the enemy artificial intelligence (AI) with wall climbing and smart formation capabilities.

The first Jak & Daxter game was a fairly straightforward Rare-esque platformer, but the second game expanded the concept considerably to become a sort of cartoon style Grand Theft Auto . This third game removes some of the more unnecessary diversions of Jak II to become a more enjoyably focused action adventure. The actual story follows on directly and sees Jak and Daxter banished to the Wastelands--a massive game world more than five times the size of Haven City from the last game.

Although they are less prevalent than last time there are a dozen different vehicles to pilot and plenty of upgradeable weapons. Perhaps the most important new gameplay feature though is Jak's new light eco form, to balance out the dark eco powers from Jak II . In light eco form Jak grows a pair of angelic wings and gains the power to regain lost health and even freeze enemies in time (and yes, it does work a bit like bullet time).

For fans of the series, or those just looking for a fun, modern-thinking platformer, this series is definitely going out on a high. -- David Jenkins