"Jak II proves Naughty Dog doesn't need realism to make great characters."
PLAY Magazine UK|January 2024
Jak is every bit as real as later Naughty Dog protagonists
By Francis Kenna
 "Jak II proves Naughty Dog doesn't need realism to make great characters."

Despite being critically well received upon its release in 2003, Jak II’s become one of Naughty Dog’s more divisive releases over time. After all, it can be easy to dismiss it as being a typical example of a soulless sell-out second release, given the first game was a family-friendly collectathon platformer whereas the sequel is a more violent sandbox action game inspired by GTA III, but it was made with a pointed intent beyond a misguided financial incentive.

This was where Naughty Dog really began to flex its storytelling muscles, weaving its penchant for cutting-edge presentation into a compelling narrative. It was the title that would begin to redefine the developer, the stepping stone to it becoming the industry-leading powerhouse we know it as today, even if the staff didn’t know it at the time.

This story is from the January 2024 edition of PLAY Magazine UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 2024 edition of PLAY Magazine UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PLAY MAGAZINE UKView All
NOT SO SILENT
PLAY Magazine UK

NOT SO SILENT

With a Silent Hill renaissance on the horizon, the Western developers who worked on the most recent four entries - Silent Hill: Origins, Silent Hill: Homecoming, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, and Silent Hill: Downpour - talk to James Winspear about keeping a light aflame while the fog rolls in

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2024
Late night with the devil
PLAY Magazine UK

Late night with the devil

My, my, what manner of BAFTA is this?\" said Andrew Wincott, slipping into Raphael's dulcet tones with ease as he accepted the BAFTA for Performer In A Supporting Role earlier this year.

time-read
10 mins  |
December 2024
NCE BITTEN, THRICE SNEAKY
PLAY Magazine UK

NCE BITTEN, THRICE SNEAKY

We base-jump towards our first taste of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, talking with series producer Noriaki Okamura about our hands-on with the remade Virtuous Mission section of the classic stealther.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
Crimson Desert
PLAY Magazine UK

Crimson Desert

Devils may cry, and so might you after this

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
Spine
PLAY Magazine UK

Spine

Looking to equal gun-fu classics

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
Lost Records: Bloom & RageTape 1
PLAY Magazine UK

Lost Records: Bloom & RageTape 1

Hitting play on Don't Nod's coming-of-age tale

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
PS5 Pro to launch
PLAY Magazine UK

PS5 Pro to launch

PS5 architect Mark Cerny finally revealed' one of the worstkept secrets in gaming history - stick 7 Nov in your calendar

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
Batman: Arkham Asylum
PLAY Magazine UK

Batman: Arkham Asylum

15 years!? Holy depressing passing of time, Batman!

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road
PLAY Magazine UK

The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road

Keeping us engaged with the carat-and-stick approach

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
Alan Wake 2: Night Springs
PLAY Magazine UK

Alan Wake 2: Night Springs

Keepin' it weird

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024