Father Time said:
Arqus_Zed said:
Who ever said anything about sandbox? I didn't, the developers didn't, I can't really recall any reviewers that did. It's an open world, not a sandbox. It's a continuation of a platformer series, not a GTA-wannabe. It's meant to set the atmosphere, to give some freedom, to cement the setting of a walled city with a population stuck in different social classes. And accidentally hitting a Krimson Guard? Oh no, whatever shall we do? It's not like you can just keep fleeing and they'll be gone in about two minutes tops.
The only thing I'll give you is that the way vehicles handle is done much better in Jak 3 (and even more so in Jak X). But that's it - and it's not like racing is THE biggest thing within Jak II.
Honestly what is the difference between a sandbox and open world? It seems like we're splitting hairs.
The hoverboard trick challenges are a joke. It's like a very watered down version of Tony Hawk. Ever play the simpsons skateboarding? The hoverboards are slightly better than that.
It's not that vehicles don't handle like Crash Team Racing (and are you really going to call every cart racer a mario kart ripoff) they don't handle AT ALL. Seriously try doing one of those optional 'go through all the checkpoints in a time limit' challenges and time how long it takes before you start swearing at the game. And the races are required.
The platforming didn't have enough checkpoints in it and was just frustrating.
Edit: Ok it wasn't always frustrating but when you had long levels with barely any checkpoints it got annoying. Beyond that it was nice.
As for shooting? Compare and contrast it to Ratchet and Clank. Far less annoying and less blind firing.
Lest you think I hate all Jax games I thought the first one was fun, I haven't played Jax III and I picked up Jax X recently for $7 and I think it's decent (probably need to play it more though).
1)
I respectfully, completely disagree that simply having an open world and actually pushing a sandbox element in a game are the same thing. It's not as clear cut as the difference between a first person shooter and a third person shooter, but there is a tangible difference nonetheless. Though I suppose it also depends on what you would define as "sandbox" - or even what qualifies as open world. For example, Steambot Chronicles is clearly a Sandbox game, but I doubt anyone would dare call it open world.
2)
You're actually trying to compare the hoverboarding in Jak games with the skateboarding in the Tony Hawk games? The incredibly small aspect of an entire action/adventure/platformer where the hoverboard is mainly used as a device for transportation or platforming - only once or twice for tricks - and you are comparing it to the likes of a game series whose
sole core mechanic is skateboarding and performing tricks. Yeah, no, you're right, totally fair, what was I thinking. And no, I haven't played The Simpsons Skateboarding, nor do I wish to do so.
3)
No, I'm not gonna call every kart racer a Mario Kart rip-off (I wouldn't call Jak X a Mario Kart rip-off), just the ones that fit the bill. In my opinion, Crash Team Racing fits the bill, however, this does not mean it is not a good game - on the contrary. Also, since you asked: yes, I did all the races - the three stadium races, the three reverse stadium races and the two boost ring races. It's a good way to earn more precursor orbs so you can unlock the Hero Mode.
4)
So, you find the platforming in Jak II frustrating? Areas too long and not enough checkpoints? Sounds like you ought to play Vexx, I bet you'll love it.
5)
Ratchet & Clank was pretty much 50% third person shooter by the time the second one came out (and I'd say the fourth installment was a 100%). In Jak, it is meant to be used more in combination with the platforming and the melee combat (hence, the Wastelander moves).
6)
I enjoyed the first one as well, despite having limited gameplay variety and being way too easy. Eight hours in and you've got a 100% on everything, not much for replay value. I liked Jak X as well, especially because of all its game types, though I was pretty disappointed by the story.
On a side note, Jak 3 is a lot like Jak II, only bigger in every way (more vehicles, more weapons, more areas, etc.) and a lot easier. Also, the Stadium races are gone. So, yeah, I don't know, if it was just the difficulty and the hover-races that pissed you off, you might wanna give it a try.
