Daxter Video Game Review, Information About Daxter Video Game »

Daxter Video Game Review

It’s not often that you get a game centered solely on a popular sidekick. I mean you never see anything starring just Robin or Mini Me out there. When the geniuses at Ready at Dawn studios saw the small and sleek PSP, they saw it as the perfect platform for a game starring the wisecracking Ottsel from the Jak series, Daxter.

The story for Daxter takes place between the first and second Jak games for the PS2. Jak was just caught and incarcerated by the crimson guard, and Daxter tries to get him out. In the game fiction you knew that this rescue took 2 years to happen, but the whys were never explained. This game is the why.

In Daxter you take on an extermination job, as Haven City is overrun with both Metalheads and the regular garden variety bugs. You start out the game with only an electro fly swatter, but quickly earn the spray tank that also doubles as a jet pack. Over the course of the game you’ll receive some tank upgrades to unlock other capabilities, but its usage is the same; use the spray to kill bugs or jet yourself over small gaps.

While the Jak games took on more of an action flair, Daxter is more of a straight platformer. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of battles to keep you busy, but your deaths will come mostly from a mis-timed jump, or a bad hover. Not that this is a bad thing, as your lives are infinite. There is a great checkpoint system as well to make sure that your deaths do not have you replaying too much of the level. You can really tell that this game was designed to be on a handheld system, not just squeezed down as an afterthought.

One thing that really stuck out for me was how polished the animation was, and how fluid the camera system is. I think that this is the first game on the PSP with a near perfect camera. Thinking back, I can’t recall one time where the camera got in the way of my exploration. The camera can be rotated with the L and R triggers for those times when you want to look around corners, or simply hit up on the DPad to zoom into first person mode and have a look around with the analog stick. I really think this camera system worked due to the game’s focus on platforming.

I mentioned the jetpack mode of the gas canister earlier, but I should talk a little more about it due to its use in nearly every level. The gas in the canister can be used to stun bugs while you are on your feet, but hit the button while you are jumping and you’ll hover there for a few seconds. You have a limited gas supply so you either have to use this weapon sparingly, or pick up some gas recharge orbs to get more fuel. You can use this makeshift jetpack to cross small gaps, or longer gaps if you manage to pick up some gas while hovering. Most of the bigger puzzles in the game utilize this play mechanic, so it’s a good thing that it controls so well.

Running, jumping and jetting aren’t the only ways to get around the levels though. Being an Ottsel, an imaginary combination between an otter and a weasel, also means that you can slither around like a lizard; apparently. This mode can be used to sneak by certain traps, but mostly means that you can climb up certain walls. The animation while you are crawling around is amazing; it’s also quite creepy how real Daxter’s crawl looks!

Graphically this game is outstanding. This looks like something you would see on your PS2, not a handheld system. While you are running from level to level, you can actually explore almost the entirety of Haven City from the PS2 games. I’ll say now that this world is huge, and one can only notice a slight touch of slowdown while running around. One other thing to note is that just like the Jak games on the PS2, there are no loading times while playing in any of the huge levels. In fact the only loading times are just before major cut scenes and when you enter a building. These levels are streamed in real time, and if there is one I didn’t notice a battery hit. I was getting nearly 4 hours on a charge, which I found amazing.

Daxter wouldn’t be Daxter if he couldn’t wisecrack, he is a wisecracking sidekick after all. You can rest assured that the great voiceover talent from the Jak games also voices their respective characters in this game. This adds a lot to the authenticity and kicks in a bit of comic relief when it’s most needed. The soundtrack for this particular title is more atmospheric then epic, but when there is a battle going on the tunes pick up and add a sense of urgency to the whole thing. I’ve said it a few times before, but a good soundtrack is one that doesn’t pop out at you; they should accentuate not overshadow, and Daxter’s soundtrack is a good example.

Another mainstay of the Jak games makes its way to Daxter as well, that is secrets. Strewn throughout the levels are precursor orbs. These orbs not only help you to attain 100% completion in the game, but the collection of them will unlock secret dream sequences at certain milestones. Each of these sequences takes place with Daxter in a starring role from a popular movie, such as Daxter as Neo in the Matrix, but gameplay consists of hitting the proper button at the right time. You could think of the gameplay as a live action DDR or Beatmania. Not that I’m complaining though, as these sequences provide a nice and well needed break from the rest of the game. Plus they look cool, which makes them good in my books.

Beating these levels for the first time also unlocks some secrets such as extra health or new moves, but getting gold will unlock something bigger. Some even unlock website codes that you can enter on the official website to gain access to exclusive content. I won’t spoil any of these secrets though, as they are best left to discover for yourselves.

All of you multiplayer hounds will be happy to hear that there is a multiplayer mode in this game; although it is Ad-Hoc only and consists only of a battle bugs game. During each level in the game you can find a hidden battle bug, a potion and a stat increasing powerup. This battle game plays out like a game of paper rock scissors, but it was a neat little diversion. Personally I don’t see myself playing this mode too much, but finding the hidden items to use in this game is at least always a fun time.

So if my description thus far hasn’t clued you in, I loved this game. This is just that fresh new original game that the PSP needed. Looks like the detractors and critics will have to find some new fuel, as the “There are no games” joke will just not be true any longer.

This game receives a coveted PGR Must Buy award. You should do yourself a favour and pick this title up.

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