Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy

Jak And Daxter TPL is in short what ND wanted Crash to be if the PS1 hardware allowed to exist, especially after reading multiple interviews, it really seems like that was their idea if they somehow got the Crash rights. JaD feels in many areas inspired by it, the moveset, the aesthetics, hell even some of the character designs. It is really its spiritual succesor, the true Crash 4, and not, IAT never was.

Naughty Dog since 1996 showed they knew the hardware more than even the same guys who made it in the first place. They really proved you dont need hardware specs to succeed at being technically impressive. I already said it so many times, but all of their games not only are imo the peak graphics of the generation even compared to the most technological advanced games on more powerful platforms, but also are comparable as some dedicated tech demos or benchmarks... and that includes PC... Anddd now the PC master race fanboys chasing me to death.

But of course this wouldnt be just Crash and thats it, oh no (with inspiration of Banjo Kazooie and Spyro, needless to say), ND would do something else to separate from the rest and break new ground on technology. This is not just the first 3d game without loading screens, but also the first connected (or seamless) open world game in history. Reading this wouldnt seem like a big deal, but haha you have no idea of what this really means and what you could do with it in the right hands instead of being just a "cool gimmick". And there was so much disinformation in this topic (probably for people who just wanted to devalue ND achievements). Because yes, games without loading screens were a thing even in the 70s-90s, and yes, the N64 transitions were fast, but first, those older games werent 3d, and second the N64 open worlds still interrupt in some way or another the action and they dont feel in any way seamless or connected. Its really funny how the cartridges are so justified by some N64 lovers as the best for videogame media even today (yes, there are some extremists like that) but the disc drive of the PS2 showed a way better streaming despite being on paper slower.

Some people may not recognize it but this game without loading screen and a fully true open world wouldnt be possible, first of all you can affect other things in the enviroments both visually and gameplay wise, you can help other NPCs to do things in different areas that the ones they are to win a power cell giving you both an explanation and maybe a bit of backstory instead of just feeling like another collectable, you feel inmersed by just walking to one area to another or seeing all of the game world in a high place with the affected elements i said before or one of my favorites, being able to do half of the task and leave it for later, or do multiple tasks at once. This level of full open world reminds me to some modern games like Horizon Zero Dawn with the difference this was 2001. This is just peak inmersion in videogames.

And speaking of inmersion, that is what JaD is. Is not just a 3d platformer like Crash or a regular collectathon like BK, but also an adventure game, and this is important because this is a triple A adventure, if you know what i mean. There is NPC interaction, a feeling of progression, and thats the key word, progression, it almost feels like RPG, with an insane amount of cutscenes for a platformer. And while the story is simple, its also very effective and doesnt treat you like dumb... Twinsanity...

The story interestingly enough, is like in terms of tone, an evolution of the previous ND games. ND was already trying to make their stories a bit more dark with Crash Warped, and Jak 1 already expanded on the plot. There is more humour (thanks to the budget and PS2 power), but is the good type of humour that is only present when its needed, and in a very intelligent way, making a good balance. I know this point is subjective, but Crash after CNK was never the same, and JaD was a surprisingly breath of fresh air. I love how they took so many inspiration from many cartoons, but with more budget and power they could create more "weird" looking characters. This may be the very first game in history that makes me feel on its entirety that im watching a cartoon.

The funny thing is that you may think this open world with all of this characters, for how big it is would look like trash, but actually is one if not the most detailed game of the time. Im not just amazed that the power of the PS2 was able to surprass Crash visuals, but having levels 100 times bigger at 60 fps.... Wrath Of Cortex.

The Jak GOAL engine has to be one if not the best game engine ever made, at least not taking into account modding or accessibility, just pure optimization and capabilities (like being able to change code while the game is running). I dont want to write so much on this, but to be as short and concise as possible, they created an entirely new programming language, just for this game. I really want to see that again. Needless to say, it was kind of funny checking all of the LISP software that was made, with most being used for serious purposes like mathematical stuff on computers or even science, just to see GOAL, a videogame. If i was a teacher, my student would get a 10 definitely. Seriously, if you read about the Naughty Dog history and development of their games, programmers like Andy Gavin are a genius, arguably one of the most prolific programmers in history. Is a shame that his talent was only used in a handful of games...

PC and other modern console games in general would never be as optimized unfortunately since that implies an intense knowledge of both programming and mechanical/electricity stuff and skipping many "rules" that probably wouldnt make your boss to be happy about it. But as i always say, if its illegal but does a greater good, then do it..... dont look at me.

Actually as i play this game more i realized this game has a lot in common with Crash Team Racing, which kind of makes sense. The engine of JaD feels like an evolution, even the LOD system is the same, very unnoticeable compared to other games before this. I think it also really shows how ahead of its time CTR was.

And of course the animations. Some people for some reason find the characters to be the low point of the graphics, but i disagree. Some characters looks incredible good for 2001 standards, ranging from 4000 to 10.000 polygons which is a lot and having animation smooth as butter even today. Some few models may not age all that well, but aesthetically speaking i find their excentric designs to be very pleasant and it does justice to Crash characters. This game is just so charming, so beautiful and never drops a frame.

Now going into the gameplay. Jak, much like Crash in 2 and 3, controls pretty much perfect. He has ton of moves he can combine that are satisfying to just watch thanks to the animation work and he maintains full control in mid air so each time you die never feels unfair. JaD not only was revolutionary but also perfected the collectathon genre.

I only have two minor complains with this game, first of all, while Jak is very satisfying to control or to utilize its eco powers, the truth is that he is not satisfying to control as Crash in Warped. In Warped he really feel like unstoppable once you win the game. Here it feels like an natural evolution of Crash 2 but not Crash 3, and i get it, but i still prefer how the control was in Warped. Plus my second minor complain, maybe a bit more harsh is that much like Crash 1 and 2 there is nothing more to do once you finish this game, again taking notes of those games instead of 3 and especially CTR. And the game is too short, which would be actually a good thing in other games, but here the core gameplay is so good that you really really want to continue playing it. As unpopular as it may be this two things are the only reason that i think Crash 3 and CTR were just a bit better. Maybe the fact that most of the game development went to make it work on the first place meant that they couldnt make the game as replayable as their two previous works. I think however is way superior to Crash 2 which is saying a lot. Im not saying neccesarily TPL is objectively inferior to Crash 3 and CTR, in fact in terms of core gameplay and innovation the three are tied in my eyes, is just the satisfying gameplay and replayability that just puts it slighty below in my eyes. Hell, if there was like one extra area or something after beating the game 100% i think it would put it even above Crash 3.

In conclusion TPL is one of those few games that represents what the leap in technology can do and not simplify it to just a gimmick or the visual side. The exploration, map design, animation, infinite draw distance and so on would had been just impossible on the previous gen. The world of JaD was so ahead of its time, that makes GTA 3 Liberty City to feel fake in comparison. The streaming system in JaD was not just revolutionary for the videogame industry but even on the field of technology as a whole.

While this review may seem like a bit agressive for some, the truth is that we have to go back in time. It wouldnt make any sense for ND to make yet another linear game on a new hardware and that formula being already perfected. WOC, Twinsanity and IAT, which pale and feel outdated in comparison, should had learned about this game, and leave the comfort zone if they wanted to make something at the heights of the OG Crash trilogy, which imo the first JaD really succeeds. It is a bit of a shame that this game would be the last ND true platformer as i feel they are very talented for this genre. Jak 2, 3 and all of their other series would be worthy games imo despite being significantly different, but they wouldnt impress me as much as the Crash series and the first Jak, which were in other words.... more majestic.