Daxter fills in the two year gap between
Jak & Daxter and
Jak II. After the duo is dumped in Haven City, Jak is immediately captured and forced to undergo various Dark Eco experiments. Daxter is able to escape and vows to rescue Jak, but instead finds himself in one of the city’s many bars doing what he does best – telling exaggerated tales of his exploits. Daxter’s creative tales reach the ears of an old man named Osmo who hires Daxter as an exterminator. This is about as deep as the story goes, though there are suggestions that bigger things are going on behind the scenes.
Gameplay follows the same mission-based driving structure as the last two Jak games with more of a tilt towards platforming. Haven City acts as the game’s main hub with the Critter-Ridder Extermination Company serving as Daxter’s base of operations.
Once on a job, the game switches into a platformer with several objectives to complete. The primary objective usually involves killing a set number of bugs or destroying a hive (which usually involves a boss fight). Each level also features secondary objectives like collecting yellow Metal Head gems or Precursor Orbs. The primary goal must be completed before progressing, but you can return at any time to complete the other two. It is rare that you’ll actually complete all objectives in your first go, since you’ll often need to acquire new moves or equipment. Completing secondary objectives adds replay value as well as offering some nice unlockables, so don’t dismiss them as something just for the anal completists out there.
Collecting Precursor Orbs unlocks dream sequence mini-games. Each borrows its theme from well-known movies (“The Matrix”, “Lord of the Rings”, “Braveheart”…) and confirms Daxter’s oversized self-image. All of the games revolve around the same basic mechanic of matching button presses with on-screen cues; though later ones add elements to make them more complicated. These are some of the more challenging areas of the game, but are worth the effort of unlocking and completing since they often lead to new moves or health bonuses.
Bug Combat is another fun diversion to the main game. In addition to gems and Precursor Orbs, potions and enhancements are also scattered throughout each level. These allow you to pump up your bug’s attributes, sort of like adding moves and power-ups to your Poke’mon. Combat is basic your basic paper-rock-scissors gameplay, though once you choose an attack, you’re not locked into it, so there’s a bit of reaction and timing involved. A multiplayer Ad-hoc version is also available.
