Jak III

The sequel introduced it, and this follow-up only expanded on it--"it" meaning terrific gameplay from beginning to end in Jak 3.

As expected in any trilogy, the third's always a charm, so it shouldn?t be any surprise that the finale of Jak and Daxter's adventure is also the best of the bunch. There's much more of the tried-and-true gameplay that made the sequel so refreshing, plus there are plenty of new ideas to give Jak 3 that extra appeal.

So the World's in Peril?What's New?

Jak 3 starts right where Jak II finishes. Jak and Daxter have been banished from the city, only to end up in another town where the skills of a seasoned hero fit in perfectly among the citizenry. Much like the sequel, Jak and sometimes Daxter must accomplish a variety of tasks to prove their worth, which include everything from driving challenges and arena fighting to hang gliding and just shooting things to smithereens.

It's literally more of what made Jak II so popular--having all sorts of gameplay modes that smoothly mesh with the entire story. Halfway through the game, the story starts to actually unfold, and the two heroes find themselves uncovering a plot that not only connects the politics of the old city, but also somehow involves the fate of the entire world.

Jak's world is essentially two worlds in one. You can actually shuttle between both free-roaming towns and explore or take on various tasks at your leisure. There's a lot to see, too. Each town is designed to have distinct neighborhoods that come alive with their own detailed structures, colorful topography, and wandering inhabitants. And like in two, you can get around faster by "borrowing" a hovercraft, or, if you're in the countryside, a two-legged oversized rodent.

Three Jaks and an Engaging Pair

Indeed, the core of Jak 3 is the multifaceted gameplay. But if you thought some of the challenges tipped your frustration level to high last time, just wait until you play through this third round. While completing most objectives can be moderately challenging, there are a handful of missions that can easily fill your rage meter, which newbies to the series might not appreciate. Jak 3 also tries to utilize every type of button combination--a trying task especially when you need to quickly remember how to switch between four weapons (with multiple variations), dark and light power, your hoverboard, and various fist and jump attacks. Still, although it can be overwhelming at times, being a part of all the different action is actually a fun experience.

True, various gameplay styles have been included in other games, but Jak 3 does it the best. It is about presentation, and Jak 3 presents the action in an engaging, meaningful way that keeps you glued to the very end. Jak certainly continues his charm as a classic adventurer.

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