I actually find your deadpan tone and approach quite refreshing! A lot of critics reviewing classic games of this sort go on and on for about ten minutes how this game was their childhood, omg the nostaliga, etc, etc. I mean, nothing inherently wrong with being passionate in that way, but I enjoy listening to you thoroughly analyze a game's strengths and weaknesses piece by piece without emotional attachment particularly getting in the way of just plain good analysis. I'm well aware I'm in the minority, for example, for believing the original R&C game is stronger in some ways than its sequels, thus I found it cathartic listening to you fairly acknowledging its merits.
I've discovered this channel through a friend and have been marathon-watching all your videos in one go. You've done some excellent work, man! I will definitely be looking forward to upcoming videos! It's great to see the in-depth, analysis sort of review getting more and more love.
I legit did this two. I used to spend so much when I was super young playing it with him and by myself. I think I was 5 when he first taught me how to play and I remember being super scared of the enemies. This video made so nostalgic seeing the areas and locations
Jak and Dexter was the first game I ever beat on Ps2 and a will always be one of my fondest memories on what I think games should of been at the time, I'd like remaster of it and Jak2/3
I have completed this game to 100% around 50 times, one thing I think you didn't delve into enough was the collectible placement. The hub worlds serve as a form of crutch for new players, they either have easy challenges which can give the player 2 or 3 power cells if they get stuck in the main game or vendors which have power cells for sale so odds are if you can't get that last power cell you will most likely have 90 orbs for one from an NPC or maybe they will gently nudge you into the direction of an objective in another level. The best thing about this is that it is completely optional and only exists to help less skilled players (unless you're doing 100%). The scout flys are also a stroke of genius, they give the player another easy power cell as well as the means to explore an entire level and maybe scout out some objectives to come back to later. Another excellent aspect of the collectible placement is the lack of required back tracking for 100% if you know what you're doing you can clear out all the levels in one go. Anyway, this is an excellent video and I can't wait to watch the rest.
There is one power cell that I can think of that requires back-tracking, it's the hidden power cell at Mountain Pass. Either you need to activate yellow eco first, or you have to go back on foot to get it at the end of the level.
HowlingSnail I agree with you. Once you have the rythm of it down it becomes very satisfying to complete. Never felt like I was fighting the controls after that, shame it's a one and done mini-game because I genuinely enjoyed it.
Amazing analysis! ^^ You've got some really good points, which I never thought about in this way, or don't even catch at all. Especially in terms of jak's movement(-delay) and the overall level-design. In fact your words on this describe my own feelings against many open worlds in video games just perfectly. Also the parts, where you talk about how you don't have to do certain things in the game, thou avoiding poorly mini-games, were pretty interesting as well. All in all it was really infotaining and I've subscribed ;)
Something I noticed about the fishing minigame, it's actually a bit easier on the ps2 than it is on the ps3 for me. I have no idea why, or if this is consistent for everyone else, but it's interesting.
@@pelucheCR7 Yeah, I remember you too. All though honestly, Snob is a dude I have nothing but contempt for and Novacanoo has also gotten downhill as well, if what I've seen of his Alan Wake 2 and shorts is to be believed. But glad we can agree here.
@@pelucheCR7 Novacanoo turned heel and I'm still annoyed by it. He made some of the best game vids and he turned into the very thing that he seemingly was against.
@civilwarfare101 Im not a fan of his story content, but thats his choice and ive seen that comment he made in the alan wake video about blocking people and i remember him saying the last of us 2 was incredible in every way which i found absolutely odd but still doesnt take away from great videos he made. Though the last time he was great was 5 years ago.
Thanks for doing such a great job reviewing one of the greatest games of all time! I will say the punch delay is supposed to keep you from just punching forward the entire game. It forces you to combo regularly
Awesome analysis. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the Naughty Dog series, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Jak 2. The part where you removed the sides of the footage on Misty Island sort of blew my mind. I never realised just how focused those paths were, and I guess it's a design feature that seamlessly blends into the open world environment. It's almost subconscious in that way, and it explains why you're rarely bored when exploring each path. Your section on ice physics made me re-assess my thoughts on ice levels, and you're absolutely right. It makes complete sense that ND would switch up the core movement mechanics, especially given the pace of the game. It's the natural progression of its style. It's a shame that they couldn't quite pull it off nicely. I think Mario Galaxy's ice levels were a perfect example of this done right with its skating mechanic. They switched up how you traversed the levels, but you could do so with grace and fluidity. It's probably the only game I've ever played where I actively looked forward to playing ice sections. Great video as always, man. Looking forward to more :D
Thanks! I went back and forth on including those black bars - glad I decided to leave them in. Hope your video sees a few more views from the shoutout.
The thing about the tutorial's lack of explaining the controls both in dialogue and not having button prompts like in the sequels is that I believe the developers assumed that the player would read the manual. I remember it being a cool map that could be hung as a poster and it included the button prompts for every single move, some weren't even taught in any of the series' tutorials. My favorite example is this high jump performed after a dive attack by pressing X once you hit the ground, and can repeat it. Makes that spider nest near the robot in the Spider Caves a lot easier, it's more effective than going in with yellow eco. Not a lot of people know that move.
I loved Jack and Daxter's manual as a kid. It's a shame manuals have died out to save on printing costs. No matter how good the game is, it dissapoints me when I get games that have flimsy boxes and no manual. Plus, buying games on Steam I always miss having a physical manual.
I would argue that the manual isn't a good excuse because modern players won't have access to the manual unless they went out of their way to buy the PS2 version. Players who buy or download the PS3 or PS4 versions won't have access to it. And I would argue that it's the game's job to teach the player the mechanics, not outside sources It's an extreme comparison, but imagine if modern GTA games only taught you what buttons do in the manual. Early plays would be a nightmare
I'mBullet lmao I remember crying so much as a kid because I couldn't beat that part. And finally after days of trying I finally beat it and it was one of the best feelings ever
"YA DID IT!! YA CAUGHT 200 POUNDSAAH FISH!!! A NICE COUPLA LAND LUBBERS. HERES THE POWERCELL I PROMISED. AND YOU CAN USE MMY BOAT AT THE VILLAGE DOCK WHENEVER YOU LIKE. HA HA HA HA HAAAAA HAHAHAHAHAA!!
Really good analysis ! Although I did'nt enjoy as much as you the icing part (even if the mountain was one of my favourite level). But I did enjoy the level using the vehicule, the one at the blue sage hub. I remember thinking that it was going to be bad but I was surprised how good it was (except the part with the weed like you said). I really like the way you pointed out how the different levels had different gameplay theme which is for me one of the best thing of this game. Something that Rare didn't mastered as well as naughty dog for banjo kazooie (I haven't finished banjo tooie yet so I don't want to say anything about it). Thanks for your video !
I feel that one crucial thing about the roll jump that didn't get covered in the video was that it had a very generous active hitbox. Combine this with the fact that Jak keeps his momentum even if he runs into an enemy and that it has the same amount of power as all of Jak's other moves makes it extremely safe and, in my opinion, the best move that Jak has. There is a reason why the roll jump no longer does damage in Jak 2. I thought the video was very interesting and I will definitely watch those other vids on Jak and Crash that you've uploaded.
The punch is meant to be used as an attack that chains into other attacks. For example press Square, X, Square, circle. If input in rapid succession this will create a neat little combo that cancels the frames of the initial punch.
Rustyhound I've actually been doing that little combo for years now haha, especially while waiting for loading doors to open in Jak 2. Would you agree that it's not hugely useful, though? An uppercut and an air-spin-kick are very situational.
Novacanoo I just really like the momentum gained from the initial punch, made the uppercut and ground dive more effective imo (greater than the sum of it's parts). I seem to recall using it a lot in the original and especially the third game as combining it with firing a gun while spining in the air could clear out areas pretty efficiently. Jak 2 is way less forgiving in general though so I can see why you'd be less inclined to use it there. Then again, I'm biased towards trying to fight in flashy ways. Anyway, this video was very good! I'm excited to check out your vids on Jak 2 and Jak 3 now.
You mention a couple times how they almost but don't quite combine certain things, like the drillers and trap-doors, or ice platforming, which make me wonder if they did try combining them, but dropped them because they were too difficult.
At a guess, I think the ice path was intended to work exactly as I suggested, but with the moving platforms placed there, the challenge morphed into landing on these small square platforms instead of building up enough momentum to clear a huge gap, not worrying about the size of the next platform until you started to slide off it.
There is a trick to the fishing minigame that makes it very responsive to control, and kind of fun. But you need to be a smart cookie to figure it out.
I used to like and be good at that fishing part, but I feel like I've gotten worse at it as I've become older for some reason, and I've played this game a lot throughout my life.
Not everything is "poorly thought", in my opinion, if it just happens to make something hard. For instance, the zoomer level with the infected plant part and the fishing game with its difficult mechanics.
Great design review. A small comment - the inital cutscene you complain about being unskippable (I really hate it too) can be somewhat skipped by reloading the ps2 as soon as you start it (When Samos is talking with the dark eco in the background). If you restart the PS2, when loading the save you will be thrown straight onto Geyser Rock and be able to play. This saves you a couple minutes.
Great video man I can't wait for Jak 2 and 3 Also will you be doing Jak X and Jak and Daxter the lost frontier, I've definitely subbed anyway man great video
Jak 2 vid is coming later today. Will be doing a small something on Jak X, similar to my CTR video, but Lost Frontier isn't Naughty Dog so I won't be taking a look at that. I have played it, though.
Oh, I meant Jak 3 later this week, Jak X is probably a couple weeks away. As I say, don't get your hopes up too high for it though, it's only going to be a short one. I'll tell you right now that I do really like the game, though.
There's something off with the audio here. It sounds like it's being compressed in a can or something. I don't know anything about audio editing, but this is a very noticeable difference to your earlier Ratchet and Clank review's, which both have better audio. I haven't seen this critique in full yet, but from what I've heard thus far, the difference is jarring.
i have a question for you. how did you upload the footage in 60 fps? also where do you get the video footage from. Is there a software you use to rip vids/music from? this would be very helpful. thanks
Video is of my playthrough, recorded from an Elgato Game Capture. Recording at a max of 720p allows 60fps capture, and youtube automatically uploads in 60fps when the video has been rendered at that framerate.
I think it's more impressive here because of technicalities - higher polygon count, more objects, maybe even bigger world (I played Jak 1 very briefly and have yet to play SR, so I can't compare the size and scope of their environments).
I didnt played it yet, but are you sure? Open world, moving into different areas seamless without any kind of doors, black screens, etc? CTR made by ND also has like a "semi open world" in adventure mode that each area loads seamless, but when you enter a race, it still needs to load.
Good video, and I've got no criticisms regarding your content. Just an opinion about the production though - your voice already has a higher tone to it, so the tinny quality of your microphone makes it a little harsher on the ears than it needs to be. Difficult for me to listen to a long video like that.
Another great video of a series I love! Sooooo happy you got to J&D now and I am really looking forward to your analysis of the 2nd and 3rd one since they are so VERY different. With a much greater emphasis on combat with gun play, and missions instead of collectables, they are not even in the same genre of game. Its basically the difference between Spyro and Ratchet and Clank. They aren't really comparable, but I really look forward to what you have to say. In my opinion, Jak and Daxter is a great collectathon, but Jak 2 is the best in the series with its gameplay and difficulty. Looking forward to the next one!
Jak and Daxter outdid Super Mario 64? That's a very bold statement. I would like to hear you elaborate on that opinion. I'm gonna make some arguments here. 1. The jump mechanics and physics of Super Mario 64 seem undeniably superior. It's one of the few games where just jumping around is fun by itself. Single jump, double jump, triple jump, wall jump, crouch back flip, cutback jump, long jump. Then there's diving out of jumps and sliding. Besides being fun, all of these have real applications in the game. 2. Calling Super Mario 64 a collectathon and putting it in the same category as Banjo Kazooie is technically correct, but you should acknowledge what I think is a major difference. There's running around a world looking for something, and then there's going into a world with a specific mission, while still having the freedom to explore. To me, each star in 64 felt like a unique mission. It kept me engaged more than Jak and Daxter, where the collecting felt more like work. 3. Dynamic or unique worlds. I never finished Jak and Daxter so I don't know every area, but from what I saw it had nothing close to the variety of 64. Beyond the castle itself being fun to explore, there's the haunted mansion, the one where the water levels change, the clock level where the speed is dependent on when you jump in, an underground labyrinth with maps on the walls, a lava level for good measure, some rainbow carpet stuff in the clouds, little big world... Power ups, castle secrets... I'm sure you have your reasoning, but I think in terms of 3D platforming, the main Mario series hasn't really been touched. Like I said, just jumping around is fun by itself. Do a long jump, to wall kick, to dive, to slide, then flip out of it and tell me Jak outdid that
"It kept me engaged more than Jak and Daxter, where the collecting felt more like work." This is the key to a collect-a-thon, isn't it? SM64 was the one that felt like work to me, and J&D was under the added stress of being a game that actually *was* work, if you stretched to call these videos work. I've had similar conversations with others, and I've never come to a better conclusion than the one in the middle of the video - J&D becomes about the *way that you find* the collectibles, rather than about the collectibles themselves, through excellent, engaging level design. I think Mario 64's *level* (not world) design is far less consistently engaging, at the very least in terms of sheer percentage of the game spent running across flat, uninteresting terrain. I will absolutely give you that jumping and Mario's overall moveset is much better than J&D's.
Great analysis none the less. I'm enjoying all your videos. I should maybe try Jak and Daxter again. My view of 64 might be skewed by my knowledge of the speed running world as well. From that perspective, there isn't a second of down time, and its amazing what people have done with the mechanics. In a way my original play through of 64 is more a distant memory. I stand by the level design/variety though. I definitely never found it flat and uninteresting. And the secrets in the castle captured my imagination as a kid. I might be too old to appreciate Jak and Daxter in the same way now.
I've actually had a very similar conversation with another speedrunner on this topic, who pointed out a distinction I didn't have in mind when I made that statement - SM64 mostly limits the stars to the end goal of a course, while J&D scatters them everywhere. J&D is far, far more comparable to BK or Spyro than SM64. It creates a game where you can't just 'get it over and done with' in the same way as Mario 64. An SM64 level has one objective, which lends itself better to a sort of 'optimal' style of play even when you aren't necessarily trying to speedrun it. Finishing the level is the goal, the star is incidental. J&D scatters collectibles everywhere, and asks you to explore a bit. There's not the same assurance that you've done everything that needs to be done, not the same sense of having 'finished' a level. If you're a bit compulsive, or not willing to trust that the restrictions on required collectibles are reasonable/lenient, I can see how J&D would be a chore. My defense for this would, again, be the level design section of the video. You'll criss-cross levels multiple times to pick stuff up, but no matter which angle of approach you take, the game will always be doing its' best to give you something to do.
I know I came here very late, but I wanted to through in my two cents as well. One thing I prefer about Mario 64 over most in the genre is the variety of jumps Mario could use, but note that Mario cannot do a traditional double jump. This is because I believe Nintendo was so confident in their platforming that they believed that Mario didn't need one to begin with. Instead, the challenge, especially in speedrunning, is finding the right jumps to get from point A to point B. A challenge presented in a collection of jumps could potentially be skipped with a well-timed long jump, or a wall thought impossible to scale without a power-up or cannon can be pulled off with a backflip followed by a wall kick. The issue I have with platformers relying too much on double jumps is that the platforming can grow stale even with some stage variety because every challenge platforming challenge is completed the same way. Double-jumping either provides enough distance every time to cross huge gaps or provides too much control over the player's momentum in the air to make even small platforms lacking in challenge. I think a Hat in Time does a good job adding extra spice to its wall-climbing technique and grapple hook, but as much as I love that game I find it a bit lacking when it focuses on raw platforming. But a Novacanoo already stated, both Mario 64 and Jak and Daxter set out to do different things despite being the same genre and sub-genre, as if there's a sub-sub-genre separating them. However, I don't see eye-to-eye with him on this game.
Mario 64's controls are wonky at best. Constant sliding off platforms, rigid momentum despite the curvy level design, and finicky car controls that will send you off of ledges just from pushing the control stick in the opposite intended direction. Top that off with bad levels like Big-Small world and Rainbow Ride, and you end up with a game that was revolutionary for its time, but is very frustrating to play now.
I think why what you said rings in my mind is because I view Mario 64 as a 3D platformer first and for most it feels really, really fun to play as Mario.
I disagree that Jak and Daxter "outdid" the likes of Banjo Kazooie and Banjo Tooie. From a technical perspective? Of course, but otherwise..nah. They are some of the greatest collect-a-thon platformers in the world, right up there with the original Spyro trilogy. That said, Jak and Daxter is a good game. I've always kind of wondered what Jak II and Jak III would have been like if they'd continued to develop as platformers rather than more action-oriented games...but at the same time, I can't complain about the series' departure from classic platforming style as of Jak II, as Jak II and III are both great games IMO.
I've always hated when games block progress behind an arbitrary mini game that has nothing to do with the core mechanics of the game. If it's too easy it feels like a waste of time, but if if it's too hard it's frustrating that a one-off sequence is preventing the player from moving forward.
Was recommended here by TheGamingBrit and I'm interested. I do think saying that J&D outdid games like Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie is a bit too much praise IMO but I understand the reasoning is derived from J&D's engaging level design. I think a more fitting comment would be that even though Rare and Nintendo are considered to be the peak of quality in platformers, the fact that Naughty Dog is even being compared to such giants on their second franchise is a testament to their talent in and upon itself.
I dont know man, Mario 64 just feels so dated compared to Jak 1, the camera isnt very good and the textures are very flat. Banjo Kazooie would be a closer contender, but again the camera and the graphics.
"I do think saying that J&D outdid games like Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie is a bit too much praise IMO" No, i dont think they surprassed Mario 64 and Banjo Kazooie. I think they surprassed every other collectathon even to this day.
Better then mario 64? I think that was rash, maybe I didn't fully understand what you meant. You are certainly right in regards to the collectathon aspects of each game.
I actually find your deadpan tone and approach quite refreshing! A lot of critics reviewing classic games of this sort go on and on for about ten minutes how this game was their childhood, omg the nostaliga, etc, etc. I mean, nothing inherently wrong with being passionate in that way, but I enjoy listening to you thoroughly analyze a game's strengths and weaknesses piece by piece without emotional attachment particularly getting in the way of just plain good analysis. I'm well aware I'm in the minority, for example, for believing the original R&C game is stronger in some ways than its sequels, thus I found it cathartic listening to you fairly acknowledging its merits.
I've discovered this channel through a friend and have been marathon-watching all your videos in one go. You've done some excellent work, man! I will definitely be looking forward to upcoming videos! It's great to see the in-depth, analysis sort of review getting more and more love.
I would always beg my dad to help me with the fishing mini game lmao
You can beg ME to help you..
but I'd probably fail a few times, so yeah.
I legit did this two. I used to spend so much when I was super young playing it with him and by myself. I think I was 5 when he first taught me how to play and I remember being super scared of the enemies. This video made so nostalgic seeing the areas and locations
I would always ask my mom lol, I played this game over and over throughout my life and she would beat it no problem
It was the exact opposite with me. He'd get stuck on something but didn't have a lot of time to play, so I'd get him through it will he was at work.
@@coriklocek1841 Jeez man, it's so weird seeing all these people do the same thing I did. I also got my mom to help me with this Minigame, crazy stuff
I'm surprised you never mentioned the flut flut riding
Great video, but the fishing minigame is fucking incredible and you know it!
"There are poisonous Eeeeeeeels in this river."
"OHTHATSABIGONE!"
Jak and Dexter was the first game I ever beat on Ps2 and a will always be one of my fondest memories on what I think games should of been at the time, I'd like remaster of it and Jak2/3
My first game ever played. I still love it. But my favorite of the series is the second game of the series ^-^
I have completed this game to 100% around 50 times, one thing I think you didn't delve into enough was the collectible placement. The hub worlds serve as a form of crutch for new players, they either have easy challenges which can give the player 2 or 3 power cells if they get stuck in the main game or vendors which have power cells for sale so odds are if you can't get that last power cell you will most likely have 90 orbs for one from an NPC or maybe they will gently nudge you into the direction of an objective in another level. The best thing about this is that it is completely optional and only exists to help less skilled players (unless you're doing 100%). The scout flys are also a stroke of genius, they give the player another easy power cell as well as the means to explore an entire level and maybe scout out some objectives to come back to later. Another excellent aspect of the collectible placement is the lack of required back tracking for 100% if you know what you're doing you can clear out all the levels in one go. Anyway, this is an excellent video and I can't wait to watch the rest.
There is one power cell that I can think of that requires back-tracking, it's the hidden power cell at Mountain Pass. Either you need to activate yellow eco first, or you have to go back on foot to get it at the end of the level.
Isn't mandatory that's powercell 101 you only need 100 for the secret ending
I love the fishing mini-game, and I wish it was replayable for a high score like in later games.
HowlingSnail I agree with you. Once you have the rythm of it down it becomes very satisfying to complete. Never felt like I was fighting the controls after that, shame it's a one and done mini-game because I genuinely enjoyed it.
Love this game. So much that I like to see other people’s, even more in-depth opinions on it. Bravo
Amazing analysis! ^^
You've got some really good points, which I never thought about in this way, or don't even catch at all. Especially in terms of jak's movement(-delay) and the overall level-design. In fact your words on this describe my own feelings against many open worlds in video games just perfectly.
Also the parts, where you talk about how you don't have to do certain things in the game, thou avoiding poorly mini-games, were pretty interesting as well.
All in all it was really infotaining and I've subscribed ;)
Something I noticed about the fishing minigame, it's actually a bit easier on the ps2 than it is on the ps3 for me. I have no idea why, or if this is consistent for everyone else, but it's interesting.
The first cutscene and the tutorial is the best part because it is so intuitiv.
I am not the world's biggest fan of collectathons but this is easily my favorite and I feel this is ND's best game easily.
Damn, i remember you. You used to comment in snobs videos.
I do agree this is their best game though.
@@pelucheCR7
Yeah, I remember you too. All though honestly, Snob is a dude I have nothing but contempt for and Novacanoo has also gotten downhill as well, if what I've seen of his Alan Wake 2 and shorts is to be believed.
But glad we can agree here.
@civilwarfare101
Yeah i feel the same way about snob. As for novacanoo i dont find his content as interesting anymore .
@@pelucheCR7
Novacanoo turned heel and I'm still annoyed by it. He made some of the best game vids and he turned into the very thing that he seemingly was against.
@civilwarfare101
Im not a fan of his story content, but thats his choice and ive seen that comment he made in the alan wake video about blocking people and i remember him saying the last of us 2 was incredible in every way which i found absolutely odd but still doesnt take away from great videos he made. Though the last time he was great was 5 years ago.
Thanks for doing such a great job reviewing one of the greatest games of all time! I will say the punch delay is supposed to keep you from just punching forward the entire game. It forces you to combo regularly
Man, all your videos are so awesome. Seriously, they teach so much.
You actually need 100 power cells to beat the game
Awesome analysis. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the Naughty Dog series, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Jak 2. The part where you removed the sides of the footage on Misty Island sort of blew my mind. I never realised just how focused those paths were, and I guess it's a design feature that seamlessly blends into the open world environment. It's almost subconscious in that way, and it explains why you're rarely bored when exploring each path.
Your section on ice physics made me re-assess my thoughts on ice levels, and you're absolutely right. It makes complete sense that ND would switch up the core movement mechanics, especially given the pace of the game. It's the natural progression of its style. It's a shame that they couldn't quite pull it off nicely. I think Mario Galaxy's ice levels were a perfect example of this done right with its skating mechanic. They switched up how you traversed the levels, but you could do so with grace and fluidity. It's probably the only game I've ever played where I actively looked forward to playing ice sections.
Great video as always, man. Looking forward to more :D
Thanks! I went back and forth on including those black bars - glad I decided to leave them in.
Hope your video sees a few more views from the shoutout.
The thing about the tutorial's lack of explaining the controls both in dialogue and not having button prompts like in the sequels is that I believe the developers assumed that the player would read the manual. I remember it being a cool map that could be hung as a poster and it included the button prompts for every single move, some weren't even taught in any of the series' tutorials. My favorite example is this high jump performed after a dive attack by pressing X once you hit the ground, and can repeat it. Makes that spider nest near the robot in the Spider Caves a lot easier, it's more effective than going in with yellow eco. Not a lot of people know that move.
I loved Jack and Daxter's manual as a kid. It's a shame manuals have died out to save on printing costs. No matter how good the game is, it dissapoints me when I get games that have flimsy boxes and no manual. Plus, buying games on Steam I always miss having a physical manual.
I would argue that the manual isn't a good excuse because modern players won't have access to the manual unless they went out of their way to buy the PS2 version. Players who buy or download the PS3 or PS4 versions won't have access to it. And I would argue that it's the game's job to teach the player the mechanics, not outside sources
It's an extreme comparison, but imagine if modern GTA games only taught you what buttons do in the manual. Early plays would be a nightmare
Here from Joseph Anderson! He should have mentioned your lovely accent~
no way I love joseph anderson but never heard him mention this guy haha i just stmbled on this by chance. What video does he mention him?
@@TheRubberMatch He mentioned it (at least) at the end of his Zelda: Breath of the Wild review.
Fishing mini game was ez af imo
who can say where the road goes, where the day goes
I'mBullet lmao I remember crying so much as a kid because I couldn't beat that part. And finally after days of trying I finally beat it and it was one of the best feelings ever
Maybe I got lucky lol but there's times where I did fail from the poisonous eels never failed to missing x amount of pounds of good fish
In honesty, it only took me three or four tries. But I wouldn't describe any of my time playing that minigame as "fun."
"YA DID IT!! YA CAUGHT 200 POUNDSAAH FISH!!! A NICE COUPLA LAND LUBBERS. HERES THE POWERCELL I PROMISED. AND YOU CAN USE MMY BOAT AT THE VILLAGE DOCK WHENEVER YOU LIKE.
HA HA HA HA HAAAAA HAHAHAHAHAA!!
Really good analysis ! Although I did'nt enjoy as much as you the icing part (even if the mountain was one of my favourite level). But I did enjoy the level using the vehicule, the one at the blue sage hub. I remember thinking that it was going to be bad but I was surprised how good it was (except the part with the weed like you said). I really like the way you pointed out how the different levels had different gameplay theme which is for me one of the best thing of this game. Something that Rare didn't mastered as well as naughty dog for banjo kazooie (I haven't finished banjo tooie yet so I don't want to say anything about it). Thanks for your video !
I really miss all the creativity games used to have. Everything nowadays feel like cookie cutter clones of each other.
I feel that one crucial thing about the roll jump that didn't get covered in the video was that it had a very generous active hitbox. Combine this with the fact that Jak keeps his momentum even if he runs into an enemy and that it has the same amount of power as all of Jak's other moves makes it extremely safe and, in my opinion, the best move that Jak has. There is a reason why the roll jump no longer does damage in Jak 2.
I thought the video was very interesting and I will definitely watch those other vids on Jak and Crash that you've uploaded.
The punch is meant to be used as an attack that chains into other attacks. For example press Square, X, Square, circle. If input in rapid succession this will create a neat little combo that cancels the frames of the initial punch.
Rustyhound I've actually been doing that little combo for years now haha, especially while waiting for loading doors to open in Jak 2. Would you agree that it's not hugely useful, though? An uppercut and an air-spin-kick are very situational.
Novacanoo I just really like the momentum gained from the initial punch, made the uppercut and ground dive more effective imo (greater than the sum of it's parts). I seem to recall using it a lot in the original and especially the third game as combining it with firing a gun while spining in the air could clear out areas pretty efficiently.
Jak 2 is way less forgiving in general though so I can see why you'd be less inclined to use it there.
Then again, I'm biased towards trying to fight in flashy ways.
Anyway, this video was very good! I'm excited to check out your vids on Jak 2 and Jak 3 now.
You mention a couple times how they almost but don't quite combine certain things, like the drillers and trap-doors, or ice platforming, which make me wonder if they did try combining them, but dropped them because they were too difficult.
At a guess, I think the ice path was intended to work exactly as I suggested, but with the moving platforms placed there, the challenge morphed into landing on these small square platforms instead of building up enough momentum to clear a huge gap, not worrying about the size of the next platform until you started to slide off it.
There is a trick to the fishing minigame that makes it very responsive to control, and kind of fun.
But you need to be a smart cookie to figure it out.
Is it going in a half-circle with the analog stick instead of just holding left or right?
That fishing minigame was easy
I used to like and be good at that fishing part, but I feel like I've gotten worse at it as I've become older for some reason, and I've played this game a lot throughout my life.
I got curious during the dark Eco plant boss fight and I decided to get killed by the dark Eco plant there I discovered a quite morbid death animation
Did he not know that you can use the flut flut in the swamp?
12:18 *I've made a discovery with red eco. If you're powered up with it, do a ground pound and find out the rest.*
thanks for this... you voiced all my opinions
Not everything is "poorly thought", in my opinion, if it just happens to make something hard. For instance, the zoomer level with the infected plant part and the fishing game with its difficult mechanics.
Got reccomended by Joseph Anderson, not disapointed
I'd be really interested in an analysis of the original God of War games, have you ever played those?
darn, you didn't mention the combo moves.
Great design review.
A small comment - the inital cutscene you complain about being unskippable (I really hate it too) can be somewhat skipped by reloading the ps2 as soon as you start it (When Samos is talking with the dark eco in the background). If you restart the PS2, when loading the save you will be thrown straight onto Geyser Rock and be able to play. This saves you a couple minutes.
THANK YOU, I had no clue about this either. Although idk if it works in the PS3 remaster
Great video man I can't wait for Jak 2 and 3 Also will you be doing Jak X and Jak and Daxter the lost frontier, I've definitely subbed anyway man great video
Jak 2 vid is coming later today. Will be doing a small something on Jak X, similar to my CTR video, but Lost Frontier isn't Naughty Dog so I won't be taking a look at that. I have played it, though.
So when is Jak X and Jak 3??
Sometime within the next week. Script is done, just need to record.
Novacanoo Jak X is going to easily be of one of your more interesrting videos, considering the game's general appeal.
Oh, I meant Jak 3 later this week, Jak X is probably a couple weeks away.
As I say, don't get your hopes up too high for it though, it's only going to be a short one. I'll tell you right now that I do really like the game, though.
There's something off with the audio here. It sounds like it's being compressed in a can or something. I don't know anything about audio editing, but this is a very noticeable difference to your earlier Ratchet and Clank review's, which both have better audio. I haven't seen this critique in full yet, but from what I've heard thus far, the difference is jarring.
i have a question for you. how did you upload the footage in 60 fps? also where do you get the video footage from. Is there a software you use to rip vids/music from? this would be very helpful. thanks
Video is of my playthrough, recorded from an Elgato Game Capture. Recording at a max of 720p allows 60fps capture, and youtube automatically uploads in 60fps when the video has been rendered at that framerate.
4:55 put it on ice? lmao I played the game in italian because I'm italian, which tones waaaay down this sexual innuendo, by saying "calm down boy"
Actually Soul Reaver on the PS1 did the whole no load screen thing first
I think it's more impressive here because of technicalities - higher polygon count, more objects, maybe even bigger world (I played Jak 1 very briefly and have yet to play SR, so I can't compare the size and scope of their environments).
I didnt played it yet, but are you sure? Open world, moving into different areas seamless without any kind of doors, black screens, etc?
CTR made by ND also has like a "semi open world" in adventure mode that each area loads seamless, but when you enter a race, it still needs to load.
@@sebastiankulche Yep they achieved the no loading screens platformer on the PS1, you can travel around the whole game world.
@@TheRuptineer Well, it seems that the Guiness Records dont share the same opinion XD
@@TheRuptineer Nothenless, i would give it a try.
This is great! Do you have a transcript?
Sure. Have added it to the description.
You sound A LOT like Matthewmatosis
What about this guy:
ruclips.net/video/eQsPu2tAy6w/видео.html
16:25 I completely forgot about that game.
the fishing game is good,
Good video, and I've got no criticisms regarding your content. Just an opinion about the production though - your voice already has a higher tone to it, so the tinny quality of your microphone makes it a little harsher on the ears than it needs to be. Difficult for me to listen to a long video like that.
this almost sound like a review
I really think that you should talk about topics even if someone else did their own take on it. It feels less analyzed when you leave things out.
If you don't complete the fishing minogame, you are weak
Another great video of a series I love! Sooooo happy you got to J&D now and I am really looking forward to your analysis of the 2nd and 3rd one since they are so VERY different. With a much greater emphasis on combat with gun play, and missions instead of collectables, they are not even in the same genre of game. Its basically the difference between Spyro and Ratchet and Clank. They aren't really comparable, but I really look forward to what you have to say. In my opinion, Jak and Daxter is a great collectathon, but Jak 2 is the best in the series with its gameplay and difficulty. Looking forward to the next one!
Lol you must be dedicated if you are measuring animation frames
this game was the reason I never touched twinsanity
Twinsanity is brilliant
Are you a Kiwi?
Jak and Daxter outdid Super Mario 64? That's a very bold statement. I would like to hear you elaborate on that opinion. I'm gonna make some arguments here.
1. The jump mechanics and physics of Super Mario 64 seem undeniably superior. It's one of the few games where just jumping around is fun by itself. Single jump, double jump, triple jump, wall jump, crouch back flip, cutback jump, long jump. Then there's diving out of jumps and sliding. Besides being fun, all of these have real applications in the game.
2. Calling Super Mario 64 a collectathon and putting it in the same category as Banjo Kazooie is technically correct, but you should acknowledge what I think is a major difference. There's running around a world looking for something, and then there's going into a world with a specific mission, while still having the freedom to explore. To me, each star in 64 felt like a unique mission. It kept me engaged more than Jak and Daxter, where the collecting felt more like work.
3. Dynamic or unique worlds. I never finished Jak and Daxter so I don't know every area, but from what I saw it had nothing close to the variety of 64. Beyond the castle itself being fun to explore, there's the haunted mansion, the one where the water levels change, the clock level where the speed is dependent on when you jump in, an underground labyrinth with maps on the walls, a lava level for good measure, some rainbow carpet stuff in the clouds, little big world...
Power ups, castle secrets... I'm sure you have your reasoning, but I think in terms of 3D platforming, the main Mario series hasn't really been touched. Like I said, just jumping around is fun by itself. Do a long jump, to wall kick, to dive, to slide, then flip out of it and tell me Jak outdid that
"It kept me engaged more than Jak and Daxter, where the collecting felt more like work." This is the key to a collect-a-thon, isn't it? SM64 was the one that felt like work to me, and J&D was under the added stress of being a game that actually *was* work, if you stretched to call these videos work.
I've had similar conversations with others, and I've never come to a better conclusion than the one in the middle of the video - J&D becomes about the *way that you find* the collectibles, rather than about the collectibles themselves, through excellent, engaging level design. I think Mario 64's *level* (not world) design is far less consistently engaging, at the very least in terms of sheer percentage of the game spent running across flat, uninteresting terrain. I will absolutely give you that jumping and Mario's overall moveset is much better than J&D's.
Great analysis none the less. I'm enjoying all your videos. I should maybe try Jak and Daxter again.
My view of 64 might be skewed by my knowledge of the speed running world as well. From that perspective, there isn't a second of down time, and its amazing what people have done with the mechanics. In a way my original play through of 64 is more a distant memory.
I stand by the level design/variety though. I definitely never found it flat and uninteresting. And the secrets in the castle captured my imagination as a kid. I might be too old to appreciate Jak and Daxter in the same way now.
I've actually had a very similar conversation with another speedrunner on this topic, who pointed out a distinction I didn't have in mind when I made that statement - SM64 mostly limits the stars to the end goal of a course, while J&D scatters them everywhere. J&D is far, far more comparable to BK or Spyro than SM64. It creates a game where you can't just 'get it over and done with' in the same way as Mario 64.
An SM64 level has one objective, which lends itself better to a sort of 'optimal' style of play even when you aren't necessarily trying to speedrun it. Finishing the level is the goal, the star is incidental.
J&D scatters collectibles everywhere, and asks you to explore a bit. There's not the same assurance that you've done everything that needs to be done, not the same sense of having 'finished' a level. If you're a bit compulsive, or not willing to trust that the restrictions on required collectibles are reasonable/lenient, I can see how J&D would be a chore.
My defense for this would, again, be the level design section of the video. You'll criss-cross levels multiple times to pick stuff up, but no matter which angle of approach you take, the game will always be doing its' best to give you something to do.
I know I came here very late, but I wanted to through in my two cents as well.
One thing I prefer about Mario 64 over most in the genre is the variety of jumps Mario could use, but note that Mario cannot do a traditional double jump. This is because I believe Nintendo was so confident in their platforming that they believed that Mario didn't need one to begin with. Instead, the challenge, especially in speedrunning, is finding the right jumps to get from point A to point B. A challenge presented in a collection of jumps could potentially be skipped with a well-timed long jump, or a wall thought impossible to scale without a power-up or cannon can be pulled off with a backflip followed by a wall kick.
The issue I have with platformers relying too much on double jumps is that the platforming can grow stale even with some stage variety because every challenge platforming challenge is completed the same way. Double-jumping either provides enough distance every time to cross huge gaps or provides too much control over the player's momentum in the air to make even small platforms lacking in challenge. I think a Hat in Time does a good job adding extra spice to its wall-climbing technique and grapple hook, but as much as I love that game I find it a bit lacking when it focuses on raw platforming.
But a Novacanoo already stated, both Mario 64 and Jak and Daxter set out to do different things despite being the same genre and sub-genre, as if there's a sub-sub-genre separating them. However, I don't see eye-to-eye with him on this game.
Mario 64's controls are wonky at best. Constant sliding off platforms, rigid momentum despite the curvy level design, and finicky car controls that will send you off of ledges just from pushing the control stick in the opposite intended direction. Top that off with bad levels like Big-Small world and Rainbow Ride, and you end up with a game that was revolutionary for its time, but is very frustrating to play now.
I think why what you said rings in my mind is because I view Mario 64 as a 3D platformer first and for most it feels really, really fun to play as Mario.
the fishing game was easy lol
I disagree that Jak and Daxter "outdid" the likes of Banjo Kazooie and Banjo Tooie. From a technical perspective? Of course, but otherwise..nah. They are some of the greatest collect-a-thon platformers in the world, right up there with the original Spyro trilogy.
That said, Jak and Daxter is a good game. I've always kind of wondered what Jak II and Jak III would have been like if they'd continued to develop as platformers rather than more action-oriented games...but at the same time, I can't complain about the series' departure from classic platforming style as of Jak II, as Jak II and III are both great games IMO.
ive never failed the fishing minigame, never even missed a fish, i think youre just bad, or maybe got some madcatz controller lol
Mission Failed
16:13 *boom*
8/10, too much nitpicking.
I've always hated when games block progress behind an arbitrary mini game that has nothing to do with the core mechanics of the game. If it's too easy it feels like a waste of time, but if if it's too hard it's frustrating that a one-off sequence is preventing the player from moving forward.
Was recommended here by TheGamingBrit and I'm interested. I do think saying that J&D outdid games like Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie is a bit too much praise IMO but I understand the reasoning is derived from J&D's engaging level design. I think a more fitting comment would be that even though Rare and Nintendo are considered to be the peak of quality in platformers, the fact that Naughty Dog is even being compared to such giants on their second franchise is a testament to their talent in and upon itself.
I'd recommend playing Mario 64 and Banjo again, then playing Jak & Daxter. The former don't hold up as well as you think.
I dont know man, Mario 64 just feels so dated compared to Jak 1, the camera isnt very good and the textures are very flat. Banjo Kazooie would be a closer contender, but again the camera and the graphics.
"I do think saying that J&D outdid games like Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie is a bit too much praise IMO"
No, i dont think they surprassed Mario 64 and Banjo Kazooie. I think they surprassed every other collectathon even to this day.
His name is daxter, why are you calling dexter
Maybe it's my accent? I'm definitely calling him Daxter.
Better then mario 64? I think that was rash, maybe I didn't fully understand what you meant. You are certainly right in regards to the collectathon aspects of each game.
I want to respectfully disagree with the fish game.. you’re just bad at it /: it’s ok though still liked the video ^~^