How do Jak and Daxter and Rachet and Clank series compare??
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dave4shmups
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How do Jak and Daxter and Rachet and Clank series compare??
What are the main differences between these two PS2 series? The Rachet and Clank series definately seems to have more fans, and does look more fun.
Ratchet & Clank is (IMHO) much better than Jak & Daxter. As evidence, I own all 3 Ratchet & Clank games but after buying Jak & Daxter I ended up trading it in for credit at GameStop after 1-2 weeks.
Basically, Jak & Daxter is kind of a sterotypical platformer in 3D. You run around and collect things. Sometimes you have to kill stuff, or race, or solve a puzzle. But your main goal is usually collecting things and anything else you do is to help you in this task.
Rachet & Clank is more of a run around and shoot stuff game with platform elements. As you progress you build up an arsenal of mega weapons and basically blow the crap out of enemies with them. This is generally done in the context of exploring a 3D world, and in some situations you have to solve a puzzle or use a special item to get somewhere. However, the way to get to the next level is more or less to kill everything in your way and get to the end of level checkpoint. There is little to no collecting of thingies.
You can get the 1st game of either series pretty cheaply as a used title to check them out. Whichever one you like, beat it and then get the sequels.
I have not played the later Jak & Daxter games, but I have heard the later ones are significantly better, but also more Grand Theft Auto like wherein you spend time doing missions around the city and such.
Basically, Jak & Daxter is kind of a sterotypical platformer in 3D. You run around and collect things. Sometimes you have to kill stuff, or race, or solve a puzzle. But your main goal is usually collecting things and anything else you do is to help you in this task.
Rachet & Clank is more of a run around and shoot stuff game with platform elements. As you progress you build up an arsenal of mega weapons and basically blow the crap out of enemies with them. This is generally done in the context of exploring a 3D world, and in some situations you have to solve a puzzle or use a special item to get somewhere. However, the way to get to the next level is more or less to kill everything in your way and get to the end of level checkpoint. There is little to no collecting of thingies.
You can get the 1st game of either series pretty cheaply as a used title to check them out. Whichever one you like, beat it and then get the sequels.
I have not played the later Jak & Daxter games, but I have heard the later ones are significantly better, but also more Grand Theft Auto like wherein you spend time doing missions around the city and such.
Currently playing: Gunbird 2 PCB
Jak & Daxter is one of the most overrated and boring series I've ever played. Thankfully, some people are beginning to look behind the name (Naughty Dog also developed the original Crash trilogy...I don't think the CB series is all the great either, BTW).
Ratchet & Clank, on the other hand...great games.
Ratchet & Clank, on the other hand...great games.
I've played through R&C 2 and 3, Jak3, a good ways into Jak2, and I personally had a lot more fun playing the Ratchet & Clank series.
I enjoyed Jak3 while playing through it, but there were a lot of little annoyances. There are only so many times I can drive my poor handling vehicle through 30 rings, find the hidden easter egg before time runs out, or any other tedious challenge the game throws at you. Of course, 90% of these challenges are completely optional and not part of the main story at all, just a way to unlock secrets. After defeating the final boss I had no desire to finish the rest of the challenges or hunt down the remaining secrets.
I put Jak2 on hold becuase I ended up at a drawn out boss battle that I grew tired of. Also, I was getting sick of driving a hover car from end of of the city to pick up my next mission, then flying all the way back to my objective.
I enjoyed both R&C games enough to play through them again in challenge mode, picking up all the hidden items and skill points I missed the first time, as well as maxing out my arsenal. Maxing everything out also unlocks the Insomniac Museum, which lets you test features that never made it into the game and see all other sorts of neat things.
I enjoyed Jak3 while playing through it, but there were a lot of little annoyances. There are only so many times I can drive my poor handling vehicle through 30 rings, find the hidden easter egg before time runs out, or any other tedious challenge the game throws at you. Of course, 90% of these challenges are completely optional and not part of the main story at all, just a way to unlock secrets. After defeating the final boss I had no desire to finish the rest of the challenges or hunt down the remaining secrets.
I put Jak2 on hold becuase I ended up at a drawn out boss battle that I grew tired of. Also, I was getting sick of driving a hover car from end of of the city to pick up my next mission, then flying all the way back to my objective.
I enjoyed both R&C games enough to play through them again in challenge mode, picking up all the hidden items and skill points I missed the first time, as well as maxing out my arsenal. Maxing everything out also unlocks the Insomniac Museum, which lets you test features that never made it into the game and see all other sorts of neat things.
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captain ahar
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TalkingOctopus
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I really enjoyed Jak and Daxter 1 as well. I thought it was a really well designed platform game. I have never played any of the sequels or rachet and clank though.captain ahar wrote:clearly i am in the minority, but i really liked JD1 (for a play through). the RC games have never been appealing or fun in my eyes, although neither have the JD sequels.
Jak and Daxter is one of the best 3D platformers I've played outside of Mario. Yes, you 'collect' stuff, but that doesn't really feel like an end in itself. The game really encourages exploration and as you search around you'll just stumble across things.
It has a VERY coherent game world (you never lose sight of Jak- the camera doesn't fade out between areas or anything like that), and a serious attempt was made at making many of the objectives feel logically sound in the game world rather than arbitrary. Because the world feels so tightly bound like this, I found it actually became a surprisingly personal, emotional gaming experience.
I can't speak for R&C but it seems the Jak sequels are more similar to it than the first Jak game.
It has a VERY coherent game world (you never lose sight of Jak- the camera doesn't fade out between areas or anything like that), and a serious attempt was made at making many of the objectives feel logically sound in the game world rather than arbitrary. Because the world feels so tightly bound like this, I found it actually became a surprisingly personal, emotional gaming experience.
I can't speak for R&C but it seems the Jak sequels are more similar to it than the first Jak game.
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Darkcomet72
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The first Jak and Daxter game was really good... Warpzone pretty much summed it up for me. If they kept the same engine, the 2nd and 3rd would've been amazing.
Ratchet&Clank series is the best stress reliever i've played. However, the third game(Up your arsenal) suffers a tad, because Insomniac decided to add multiplayer, a bit of the single player focus is gone. The bosses were never much of their forte, although, the best boss was the last boss from the first game.
One major problem with the R&C series is the Rpg element added into the game. Fully powered up, weapons turn this game into nothing. One could stay in an area, take a few minutes to level up a weapon, and blast the enemy to ...dust?
Dylan: The R&C graphic engine was created by Naughty Dog. Don't be too hasty!
Finally, the music.... It's practically nonexistant in the Jak and Daxter series, and what is there is not very good. Music in R&C is a completely different beast altogether...Symphonic Techno is the best way to put it. It's very fun to listen to at times, although the first two games have better music than the third game.
Ratchet&Clank series is the best stress reliever i've played. However, the third game(Up your arsenal) suffers a tad, because Insomniac decided to add multiplayer, a bit of the single player focus is gone. The bosses were never much of their forte, although, the best boss was the last boss from the first game.
One major problem with the R&C series is the Rpg element added into the game. Fully powered up, weapons turn this game into nothing. One could stay in an area, take a few minutes to level up a weapon, and blast the enemy to ...dust?
Dylan: The R&C graphic engine was created by Naughty Dog. Don't be too hasty!
Finally, the music.... It's practically nonexistant in the Jak and Daxter series, and what is there is not very good. Music in R&C is a completely different beast altogether...Symphonic Techno is the best way to put it. It's very fun to listen to at times, although the first two games have better music than the third game.
Ed: He asked for mustard Eddy! Do you have corn in your ears mister?
I prefer the R&C series - Jak always seemed too .. I dunno, too EA Games with his xtr3m3 look and so on.
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