Greatest Evolution
Jak and Daxter has changed genre hands frequently. While the original game was a classic platformer, its sequel was a straight up GTA clone, complete with vehicle jacking and a wanted level. The third game stayed the course on the action front, but also took time to add in some car combat that felt right in line with Mad Max. Combat Racing was pretty much what its name suggested, and the Lost Frontier was… a thing that existed.
Ratchet’s shift from platformer to action-shooter feels more natural, since the weapons were already a part of the combat. Since Going Commando, the upgrade and leveling system have been a staple of the series. Even though it’s dabbled with Full Frontal Assault’s tower defense, Deadlocked’s squad shooter, and (sort of) a dungeon crawler with All 4 One, it’s still kept in line with its roots.
While those two have either largely stayed the course or completely changed hands, Sly’s been sort of in the middle. It’s still got the hub worlds for each episode, but it’s open world lite, albeit with guards who all want to kill you. In keeping with the thief motif, you can pickpocket any guard you see, and there’s priceless items you can take back to the safehouse for some loot.
Winner: Jak & Daxter
Sure, it’s a GTA clone, but it’s a damn fun one at that. It takes itself too seriously at times, but Daxter and other characters are thankfully around to make things more lighthearted without being too annoying. There’s still platforming in spots, but the focus here is on action, and that is pretty fun. Especially in Jak 3, when each gun has two extra variants and you’ve got Light powers to go along with your Dark abilities. If you weren’t a fan of it before, give it another try and see how you feel now.
