Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 609 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 535 out of 609
  2. Mixed: 56 out of 609
  3. Negative: 18 out of 609
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  1. LoobM.
    Mar 30, 2002
    6
    This is a good platformer, but it is too short and too easy. I finished the game in one weekend, and I didn't even break a sweat. Absolutely No replay value. It gave it a 6 because I am rating it as a platformer. RENT don't buy.
  2. bs
    Oct 9, 2002
    5
    You guys suck!! exept the guy who gave the game a 6! JAk and dexter suck compared to banjo kazooie controller sucked some of the graphics sucked and the sound sucked! This game sucked a it took a long time to get to places!
    Such high ratings what does this company have on you all HEY Were are you taking me HELP HELP ME rgdfejmcrisgevkrbnsvscek4weh
    thats right this game rocked    You guys suck!! exept the guy who gave the game a 6! JAk and dexter suck compared to banjo kazooie controller sucked some of the graphics sucked and the sound sucked! This game sucked a it took a long time to get to places!
    Such high ratings what does this company have on you all HEY Were are you taking me HELP HELP ME rgdfejmcrisgevkrbnsvscek4weh

    thats right this game rocked

    sencerly little boy    … Expand
  3. Uter
    Sep 18, 2003
    5
    It's an average platformer with good graphics. Jak is a pretty lame character. Enemies respawn fast so killing them isn't rewarding.
  4. AndyM.
    Jul 31, 2006
    5
    Kid friendly but extremely short.
  5. Ian277
    Feb 10, 2011
    7
    this game is one of the few true platformers. it has many frusturating challenges but the plot is good and the gameplay keeps you playing. if this game had guns like 2 and 3. it would be an 8. but since it doesn't i give it a respectable 7.
  6. RenegadeNorman
    Nov 16, 2011
    7
    This is a really enjoyable game and the first in a trilogy of epic games. However, over time, it's reply value sort of dwindles. You will want to play this game over and over at first after you get it, but after a while, there's really not much do after you beat the game.

    However, it's still enjoyable and fun to play.
  7. Watersson
    Jan 15, 2014
    7
    Funny game. Nothing more nothing less. It is nice to sit with her in the evenings but nothing more....................................................
  8. Underpants158
    Jan 12, 2016
    7
    [I played this game and reviewed it from a perspective of 2015, when I played it, which admittedly is unfair to the game but I would say more fair to prospective players.]

    The game starts with your friend, Daxter, getting turned into a weasel like creature and you then go on a journey to turn him back. This means finding power cells to transport yourself around the world. The game    [I played this game and reviewed it from a perspective of 2015, when I played it, which admittedly is unfair to the game but I would say more fair to prospective players.]

    The game starts with your friend, Daxter, getting turned into a weasel like creature and you then go on a journey to turn him back. This means finding power cells to transport yourself around the world. The game instantly tells you that this is a collectathon game. You find powercells in different levels but you also collect orbs which can be exchanged for powercells. In order to progress to the next levels you must acquire a specific amount of powercells.

    Characters, Enemies, fighting, and platforming are just alright. Characters are underdeveloped, enemies have little variance in terms of how you approach them, and your attacks consist of a lunge and a spin. None of this is bad really it's just not that great. The only real peeve I have is with the camera. It doesn't go through walls. So imagine there is a literal camera floating in the air behind your character. You can rotate the camera but if there is a wall behind you it will stop. Leaving you with the occasional bad camera angle. Going into somebody's hut is just a mess and then trying to find the door...man. But really this rarely affected the gameplay. Just something that gets on my nerves. In 2001, playing this alongside 2001 and earlier games this may have been an 8 or 9 but judging it today I don't think that's the case.    … Expand
  9. Steeldude
    May 25, 2015
    5
    The only platformer where you have to constantly double jump to be even able to get somewhere. There are so many types of jumps and none of them can be performed in a simple manner. The main character is a really pathetic jumper. One of the worst platform games I have ever played with uninteresting characters, mediocre environments and bad jumping controls. Even Kao 2 is better than this game.
  10. Mats2468
    Dec 15, 2019
    7
    Jak and Daxter 1 is of course a solid platforming game that offers both challenging and exciting level design that many players will appreciate, but god this game is very frustrating at times. At the time where game was released this game was great, but now in 2019 it is so many more better platforming games to play.
  11. sufflaminandus
    Feb 14, 2019
    7
    Sandover Village. Silent boy Jak and his loudmouth and imprudent friend Daxter sneak onto Misty Island, ignoring completely the warnings of the wise but brash sage Samos. They wish to explore the ruins of the “precursors” - the ancient omnipotent race that left behind the troves of various technology. Forbidden places are forbidden for a reason: hapless Daxter falls into the pool ofSandover Village. Silent boy Jak and his loudmouth and imprudent friend Daxter sneak onto Misty Island, ignoring completely the warnings of the wise but brash sage Samos. They wish to explore the ruins of the “precursors” - the ancient omnipotent race that left behind the troves of various technology. Forbidden places are forbidden for a reason: hapless Daxter falls into the pool of Precursor energy called eco and comes out as… ottsel, a hybrid of an otter and a weasel. The only person who can restore Daxter’s shape is said to be Gol, the dark Sage, found far in the North. And so, under the reproachful guidance of Samos and with help of his witty daughter Keira, the pair set forth… but first they need to collect some power cells.

    However alluring perambulation might be, there are some nasty places that can’t be crossed by foot. Thankfully Keira happy to provide Jak and Daxter with flying vehicle, aliased Zoomer, her own creation based on Precursor artefacts. But to zoom it up Keira needs power cell, energy resource of Precursors. It quickly becomes clear that orb hunting will be the primary occupation of the pair as Keira asks for quite a lot but no power cell lies bare.

    Power Cells hunting realized as free roaming in the set of interconnected distinct locations. The sunny shore village, full-of-traps jungle, island littered with enormous bones, stuffy swamp, underwater facility and many other places will be visited by Jak and Daxter. Or skipped, if you gathered enough orbs: the game kindly allows you to complete the game by collecting only seventy two percents of the loot. The world is seamless, there are no loading screen at all, and the graphics are affecting: technically JaD is superb.

    Power cells themselves are placed sophisticatedly across the levels, each obtainable only by completing corresponding jumping puzzle or solving some action challenge. The journey starts from simple “jump through” ventures but each consecutive level brings something new and fun. In particularly, game expanding mechanic is earlier mentioned eco, found in form of orbs or erupting from ground streams. Once Jak steps into it, eco will infuse him with temporary bonus. For example, blue eco will increase speed and yellow eco will allow shooting fireballs from Jak’s hands. Another delightful mechanics are bird-riding and racing, both are very dynamic and buoyant. By the end of the game you will overcome all kinds of obstacles, from classic moving platforms or launching pads to sliding slopes, dodge-giant-ball ravines and complex eco trials. And through all ten or so hours it will be perfectly balanced, easy-going gameplay: only in the very end I started to grump about harshly placed checkpoints and too difficult paths.

    But power cells can not only be *found* but also received from various NPCs. Not once and not twice you will stumble upon eccentric characters, each kindly forcing you to complete some quest in exchange for power cell. Those quest come in two kinds. One is simply to *buy* power cell with precursor orbs, the most common kind of collectible found in JnD, and the second one is to do unique task, seldom realized through minigames.

    What is important about tasks though are NPCs themselves. They are humorous, entertaining and well-written. Take for example, Samos himself: in regular game he would have been a trite old man wisely guiding protagonists but in JnD he cannot stop but cheekily yet funnily berate poor Jak and Daxter absolutely for no reason. Or look at gambler who lost his clothes and now wears barrels as his shirt and pants. NPCs and music perfectly reflect the mood and style of the game. If you didn’t get it yet, JnD is in no way a serious epic, or even semi-serious, like Legend of Zelda. JnD is jesting, frivolous *game* of american comedy style. In fact, characters, though being well-written, are not original at all. As in all western cartoons they’re hyperbolic in both dialogs, appearance and behavior. Daxter in particular is overcooked for my taste: his cliche vim started to annoy me very quickly.

    The levels of JnD are not devoid of enemies. “Lurkers”, creatures supposedly working for Gol, are in infinite supply wherever Jak and Daxter go. The same can’t be said about bosses: their count totals to three, and the first one is mediocre at best. The most exasperating thread of combat system is not its general primitiveness but a health mechanic: green eco is supposed to heal Jak but to collect required amount is virtually impossible, so prepare for maximum-three-hit-allowed survival.

    And though flat combat and complete lack of character development might disappoint some people, everything else is done perfectly in Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. Yet it has one innate minus: it is just a game. It is just a foolish platformer and it is just a cartoonish story about banal heroes and villains. In 2019 you can’t score such games with more than
    7/10    … Expand
  12. isaacm
    Mar 28, 2021
    5
    as much as i want to like this game is just to boring in the beginning for me. the lack of a map does make it seem like a chore to play through. i like that its difficult but just not fun. one great thing is that there is barley any loading screens.
  13. Gaisericus
    Feb 14, 2020
    7
    a decent platforming action adventure game, tbh I actually liked the sequels more. still worth playing I'd say
  14. GrandBalaxon
    Jun 27, 2020
    7
    Considering the fact I gave Jak 2 10/10 I will say that I didn't like the first part of the series, but It has its moments for sure. I didn't have a chance to play this game then I was a kid and maybe because of that I'm not a big fan of this? I dunno.

    The game for me is too short. Secondary characters are bland and I don't see any interest in them. I guess most of my bad experience    Considering the fact I gave Jak 2 10/10 I will say that I didn't like the first part of the series, but It has its moments for sure. I didn't have a chance to play this game then I was a kid and maybe because of that I'm not a big fan of this? I dunno.

    The game for me is too short. Secondary characters are bland and I don't see any interest in them. I guess most of my bad experience comes from the fact I didn't like the world. The platformer part is great tho, but again the game is TOO SHORT. So, it is only 7.

    I love this franchise very much but I don't like its childish origin. If they'll ever make a new game in this franchise I would love it to be the same as a Jak II.    … Expand
  15. Jozhster
    Feb 16, 2021
    5
    Such a shame, I love Naughty Dog but this game just didn’t click with me, the platforming was excruciating, (I’m looking at you spider cave) I found the story kinda stale and Daxter was just annoying. The last boss fight was ridiculously easy but I am just glad to be done with this game.
  16. matrix1004
    Jan 21, 2008
    7
    7.5. I thought this game wouldn't be much since it is now 6 years old, and the first of the series, but I was very suprised & impressed at how good it was. Beautiful graphics, fun characters, a cool world. I do have to mention that Jak might be the most stubborn double jumper I've ever played as, and that the camera is all but broken, but my main complaint though was the 7.5. I thought this game wouldn't be much since it is now 6 years old, and the first of the series, but I was very suprised & impressed at how good it was. Beautiful graphics, fun characters, a cool world. I do have to mention that Jak might be the most stubborn double jumper I've ever played as, and that the camera is all but broken, but my main complaint though was the misdirection. I spent hours upon hours trying to get things that couldn't be aquired until having beaten other stages and then back tracking. There is no way to know where to go and when. I could've finished the game in half the time if it wasn't for the confusing guidance and fetch quests.… Expand
  17. NetoGermano
    Aug 23, 2020
    5
    Playing this game today it's... a dreadful experience. I regret everything...
  18. Mr_Nobody34
    Jan 14, 2022
    7
    Ratings for the time period it came out
    Story : 7
    Gameplay : 7
    Graphics : 7
    Fun Factor : 7
    Environment interaction : 5
    Sound effects : 8
    Overall Immersion : 7
  19. wojtulace1
    Jan 30, 2023
    7
    It's fine. Small enemy and gameplay variety. Overall more boring compared to its successors.

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best PS2 Game of 2001
7
#7 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2001
9
#9 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Yahoo!
    90
    One of the most thrilling games to hit PS2 since its launch.
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  2. TotalPlayStation
    94
    From the way the game renders an entire world that you can explore from one end to the next without a single loading screen, to animation that literally trounces anything ever seen in any videogame, to game design that keeps things interesting despite being what some would call “just a fetch quest,” this is a perfect example of the next generation in videogames.
    Read full review
  3. GamePen
    90
    Simply amazing.
    Read full review
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