PlayStation 2

Jak II

Jak II: Renegade is quite simply one of the best games ever made. It's taken the platform genre to new levels with incredible game variety, weapons, hoverboards, futuristic hover car chases and an almost endless list of loving touches and innovation. The graphics, sound and music are cutting edge, there are no loading breaks, the story is strong with great characters and a few twists along the way and the gameplay itself is such a satisfying blend of genres that this is one of the most entertaining and enjoyable games you could ever hope to play. This is a strong candidate for the best PS2 game of 2003 and those Christmas releases will have to pull some pretty amazing rabbits (or in this case, ferrets) out of their collective hat to beat it. Get this now. You won't regret it.

I was hooked on the gameplay and the story of Jak II almost immediately and my addiction and love of the game hasn’t subsided weeks later. Jak II is, without question, one of the finest gaming experiences I’ve ever had and certainly one of the best games of 2003. Naughty Dog’s masterpiece gets the ten.

What was once a colorful, happy platformer is now a dark, depressing cartoon variant of Blade Runner in an animated Star Wars world. What appears at first glance to be a random mish-mosh of a million different games is actually one of the most cohesive, creative game worlds ever constructed. Do not dare underestimate Jak II?first impressions can be most deceiving.

I cannot believe that it has already been two years since Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy was released. I think that it is one of the best platforming games that is on the PlayStation 2. When Naughty Dog started developing Jak II they decided to combine a lot of things that are really popular in games today such as: a non linear mission scheme, a living breathing world, and throw in a lot of other gaming qualities for good measure. While most developers would have made a mess of putting this much gameplay variety in one game, I can say without a doubt that Naughty Dog has done this perfectly and their game reflects this! This is one of the best games of the year, and it is not to be missed!

Overall, Jak 2 is absolutely phenomenal. The worst part about it would be the music, and that is by no means bad. The gameplay is outstanding. The characters and story are incredibly well crafted. I see no reason for somebody not to buy this game. If you cannot afford to buy the game, at least give it a rental, you will be glad you did. It should provide approximately 20 hours of play for the average gamer. For those of us who are perfectionists, Naughty Dog has included numerous extras beyond the standard storyline to keep players occupied for a long, long time.

What do you get when you put together solid controls, a fun story, great action, beautiful graphics, and a game oozing with character? Jak II, one of the best PS2 games of the year.

Jak II: Renegade is everything fans were hoping it would be. The game certainly is fairly hard, so young children may become annoyed pretty quickly, but with a darker slant it's probably not aimed at kids anyway. Overall this game is stunning.

In the end, Jak II is everything you've probably ever wanted in a game. It fuses free-roaming/mission based gameplay, with action that is akin to Jak and Daxter's cousins Ratchet and Clank, and throws in a dash of stealth for good measure. Jak II is an absolute must have that'll last you 15-20 hours, and that's only just a quick run-through the game. Make sure you pick it up as soon as you can, or have it placed on your holiday list.

As someone who has grown a little tired of the "rules" of standard platformers, something that breaks out of that mold was exactly what I was looking for and everything I disliked about the original Jak & Daxter has either been fixed or is inconsequential because I'm having too much fun with the stuff they did right. I must admit, Naughty Dog had never managed to win my respect thus far but they certainly have it with Jak II. Give them the respect they deserve and check out this game — you'll be doing everyone involved (including yourself) a huge favor.

Nintendo has Mario, Sega has Sonic, and Sony...well, they've never really had a mascot -- one that was official anyway. New to the whole hardware industry, Sony's PlayStation began as your unconventional gaming system. It wasn't for the kids anymore per se, but rather for anyone. Being different and all isn't easy of course, especially when you don't share the same typical role of a hardware maker and a game maker in one. Although as Sony's PlayStation was the first CD-ROM based gaming platform that gained a much larger user base than all of the rest, it wasn't because of Sony's hardware alone. The games got them where they are -- games with familiar faces on them gamers could really relate to.

Jak is back. 2001’s stellar Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy showed a few things. First, that Naughty Dog wasn’t limited to the Crash Bandicoot series. Second, it showed what the PS2 was capable of since the game was absolutely gorgeous. The game was definitely homage to Super Mario 64 with its great yet still typical platforming gameplay.

Last year may have been the year of the platformer, with all of those new games hitting the systems like clockwork. But if sales charts have anything to do with it, we won't see the precipitation of traditional platformers coming round for some time now. Naughty Dog, well known now for its 2 1/2D platform series Crash Bandicoot on PlayStation (OK, we admit, Naughty Dog has its big commercial breakthrough with the "seminal" Way of the Warrior on 3DO), has sunk its teeth into the genre again.

Naughty Dog and SCEA have come together to produce one of the greatest games, not only of our generation, but also in the history of video gaming. Jak II makes the future of gaming look brighter than ever. It’s harder to think of a game that I could whole-heartedly recommend more than Jak II. Of all of the games to come out this year, it’s the most engaging, most polished, most entertaining and most worthwhile games of the bunch. You won’t want to miss out on this one because depriving yourself of Jak II is depriving yourself of the future of video gaming.

Producing a sequel to a popular video game is something of a catch-22. One one hand, if you recreate more of the same game that brought your initial success, you’re likely to be accused of milking a franchise and not having any original ideas to bring to the table. On the other hand, mess with the premise too much, and you’re doomed to be seen as ruining the franchise and alienating the fans.

I guess sometimes the developers really can think of everything. In all honesty, there is very little wrong with Jak II, and the few things that are really don't matter all that much, especially when weighed against all the things that are right. Sound effects and music rock. Haven City is a wonder to behold - it's huge and sprawling, and incredibly multifaceted - docks, gardens, factories, highways, stadiums, slums, you name it. Levels are engaging. Character design is inspired. Puzzles are interesting. Weapons are loud. Dexter is goofy. Fun is everywhere.

As a whole, Jak II is a much better play than the first, but it does fall victim to unnecessary lulls in the action.

Jak II, although too ambitious, takes the place of Ratchet & Clank as the best "platformer" on the PS2. The question is: where can the genre go from here?

Jak 2 is an amazing platforming experience, one that fans of the genre should definitely not miss. Players of all ages should be able to get into this game. Whether you're a younger gamer and play it for the characters and storyline, or if you're an older gamer and you're looking for a challenging platformer that'll keep you busy for weeks, this is your game. Naughty Dog has made a platformer that all other platformers will be measured up to, and with the progress they're making, Jak 3 might be giving the mighty Mario a run for its money.

Long ago and far away in the magical land of the 2001 holiday season, PS2 gamers met Jak, a happy-go-lucky XXL Keebler Elf with a manic ferret on caffeine for a sidekick. The evil Dee Snider (yeah, this one) was messing with some weird Dark Eco goop and some long lost Precursor technology in an attempt to ruin everyone’s day. With some well placed punches, spin moves and other acrobatics, Jak was able to save the world and uncover a mysterious Precursor gate that led to Who Knows Where.

Everything in Jak II comes together to produce one of the best-looking, best-playing games on the PS2 so far.

Jak II is really a great game that everyone should pick up...as long as they don't get easily frustrated. The whole game overcomes its almost fatal problem with checkpoints as long as you give it the time to enjoy it. This game is still a platformer at heart, but it has added a heck of a lot from other games as well. Sharing things from Ratchet and Clank, Tony Hawk and the Grand Theft Auto series gives it a little something extra. They may not have perfected all of them to the point they could have, but they have made this a great all-around game. Pick it up if you have lots of patience and enjoy a great and long platform-based game.

With classic platform gameplay mixed with a touch of Grand Theft Auto’s non linear structure, as well as a seemingly endless barrage of touches on other gaming styles you’re bound to find something you like in Jak II: Renegade. I thoroughly enjoyed playing through the game, which is certainly lengthy if you plan on even coming close to finding everything. Having all of this on offer, a platform fan of any age would be silly not to grab hold of this one and squeeze out every drop of playable goodness.

As a whole, Jak II is an excellent convergence of mission-based gameplay and platformer fun, and it’s sure to please fans of both. With plenty of character, color and graphical wizardry, you really can’t go wrong with Jak II.

If you are looking for a platformer then this is definitely the way to go. With some great action sequences rolled up with great platforming elements you have an extremely well developed game that deserves to be in your game library. If you enjoyed Jak and Daxter or even Ratchet and Clank or Sly Cooper you are bound to enjoy Jak II.

The polish throughout the whole title is so consistent that it's never really let down anywhere which leaves us with an extremely accomplished title. A classic might be too strong a word, I agree, this is no Mario 64 or Zelda title, but Jak 2 is very good and can happily sit in any PS2 owners collection proudly. Go and buy it.

Naughty Dog has once again proved themselves the Beatles of the videogame industry. They are not afraid to try something new, bringing in influences from all over, while still giving gamer’s unerring quality.

There’s absolutely nothing negative to say about Jak II, and if you were even thinking of avoiding it for some reason, you’re missing out on one of the best games of the year, period. Now, if Naughty Dog can read my little mind again and bring gamers an online/offline update to Rings of Power, AND maybe manage to include Jak & Daxter as playable characters, they’d be completely unstoppable.

Doesn't it make you sick when some smart Alec pipes up that a game is 'too easy' after you've sweated blood attempting to get even halfway through what you thought was an epic game? There was certainly a chorus of allegedly 1337 gamers after Jak & Daxter came out two years ago. Some grudgingly admitted it was the best platformer ever (and it was, unbelievers), but usually followed up with bile relating to its perceived lack of challenge. Gah. For us, it pitched the difficulty perfectly, and the fact that we went back after we 'finished' the game and collected all the orbs and eggs speaks volumes for the pleasure we gleaned from Naughty Dog's finest 15 hours.

Naughty Dog’s latest game is a very enjoyable title, yet no masterpiece – for this it has too many flaws in various aspects of the game. Still it is a very pleasant title, and I can’t wait to get my hands on Jak III. Why I think there will be a third game in the series? Well yet again, the end didn’t answer all open questions...

I still want to slap Daxter for all his stupid commentary. He manages to get people interested and act as the comedic shtick, while not falling into the JAR JAR Binks annoying and want to slaughter category.

Jak II: Renegade was certainly a bold move by Naughty Dog, and we're quite impressed with how it turned out. If you're after a high quality platformer, or are just tired of the regular "collect X number of object Z" games, then don't hesistate to check this one out.

Jak II is a damn fine effort from Naughty Dog, and while it might not have shattered the boundaries of the platform genre like they were hoping, it is a nice improvement over the first game – at least technically and presentation-wise. A more hub-oriented (if well-disguised) approach to level design and shortcomings in the game engine keep it from being as truly expansive and impressive as it really should have been. There are doubtlessly going to be people disappointed by the GTA elements the game employed, and I can't really blame them. But for sheer entertainment value, Naughty Dog is still absolutely at the top of their game. Head out and pick up this game pronto.

Maybe it's because I've come to expect more from platformers, but overall I didn't find Jak II to be anywhere near the experience Jak and Daxter was. Despite its excellence in most departments, the game lacks the charm found in the original and doesn't go beyond what is already offered by other games. Instead of forging new ground, Jak II looks to take successful formulas from other games and mix n' match them into an experience that is different, but featuring a 'poser' feel. To put it in other way, Jak II is like a girlfriend who looks fabulous and does all the right things, but at the same time is a phony who would rather wear the latest trendy designer outfits to impress other people instead of being herself.

In conclusion, Jak II is a flawed but still very good game. It’s quite pretty, has a nice mix of gameplay styles to keep you interested, and an excellent storyline to keep you involved. And, as it is the middle title in the trilogy, there’s always Jak III when you finish. Despite its problems, this game is definitely worth at least a rental.

Jak II's only real flaw is that it falls victim to its own over-ambitiousness. It tries to to do too much at once, and while it generally succeeds, there's still some room for a bit of spit and polish. That being said, Jak II is still one of the better platformers on the PS2, and with its less vomit inducing tone, is worth checking out even if you usually dismiss titles like this.

The game has so much potential, and I feel that it's fulfilled a lot of it. However, there are many areas that have fallen short, like the redundancy of the city, which seems less of a city and more of a maze. It's a Jak-of-all-trades game that borrows from many others, and while this formula has gone to pot in many games past, Jak II has made driving, platforming, shooting, and racing all come together relatively seamlessly. It's a fun game, definitely worth a buy, but remember, don't expect any Jak and Daxter cuteness. This game is for mature audiences.

Acima de tudo, parece que a Naughty Dog não aprendeu com seus erros. Na tentativa de "ser diferente", a produtora acabou criando uma continuação com novidades copiadas de outros games e que não chegam a agradar.

While Naughty Dog has focused the sequel on improving cosmetics, by their own admission their objective has never been to set benchmarks on gameplay. With perfectly high enough benchmarks to borrow from, who would mind?

Quelle déception que ce Jak 2 ! Nous qui pensions retrouver un titre aussi accrocheur que le premier opus et qui nous demandions déjà comment faire pour trouver assez de temps à consacrer à tous les bons jeux de cette fin d'année, nous avons désormais la réponse. On fera l'impasse sur Jak 2 et on le ressortira éventuellement lorsqu'on n'aura plus rien à se mettre sous la dent. Une déception, je vous dis...

It's disappointing because Naughty Dog have coded a bit of a cracker here - it's just a shame that they don't seem to want you to see all of it. Our score reflects the high irritation factor, which knocks the score for this genuinely varied game down by a couple of points.

I can see where people could enjoy Jak II, and if any of the above appeals to you, I invite you to check it out for yourself. Its charms, however, such as they are, are mostly lost on me.

Though taking a slightly different path than Jak and Daxter, Jak II is definitely a worthy sequel especially for fans of the original as well as Naughty Dog's earlier works. I personally could have done without the majority of the hovercar and weapon-based missions, but overall the game works well, looks and sounds fantastic, and provides many hours of mostly enjoyable gaming.

Looking at the total package, I'd say that Jak II is still better than a lot of other titles out there based on the quality of its controls and graphics alone, but I'd also recommend the original Jak & Daxter and both of the Ratchet & Clank titles over Jak II. (Sly Cooper would be a great one to check out, too.) They all have the same stellar production values, but Jak II lacks the cohesion, pacing, and spirit the others possess. All else being equal, those missing qualities put Jak II squarely at the rear of the pack.

Jak II is huge and there's plenty to see and do, but it's bogged down by some annoying qualities. You can save at any point, but often dying will send you back to the beginning of a lengthy stage, which is aggravating. The characters tend to be extremely unlikable (including Jak), and the idiotic rodent sidekick Daxter fails to provide any worthwhile comic relief. Some of the missions feel like tedious errands. Jak II's production qualities are too high to write the game off completely, but fans of the first may find themselves with mixed feelings about this uneven follow-up.

Looking back, I think the original Jak & Daxter is best described as inoffensive. While lacking in flavor and untaxing on the intellect or reflexes, it was nonetheless relaxing to go through familiar video game motions, to run and jump through picturesque environments and collect the 2,101 doodads that needed collecting. It was basic but enjoyable for what it was, and also managed to plug a gap in the young PS2's library. This was enough to make it a pretty good game -- probably one of Naughty Dog's best.