I've been anticipating Naughty Dog's first PS2 game for the better part of this year. Each new tidbit of information I gleaned added to my excitement. I was never a fan of the Crash Bandicoot games, but J&D looked like it would be the definitive PS2 platformer for years to come. Well, after a prolonged credit card snafu, Jak and Daxter has finally arrived in my lap. Well, not in my lap, per se... Ah, screw it. I've got the game, and I'm happy.

So, how is it? Well, I popped the disc into my PS2, hoping to take the game for a spin for a few minutes... just long enough to gather some impressions. I ended up playing for 3 hours on Monday night, completing 16% of the game. Last night, I played for another 4 hours, completing up to 36%. (For those who base their game purchases on game length, this adds up to about 20 hours.) The only reasonable conclusion I can draw is that this game is really good and that I really like it.

First of all, how does it look? I know that many of you haven't seen this game in person. J&D does not look nearly as impressive in the muddy preview movies or commercials, but let me tell you: this game is beautiful. Honestly, it's one of the most visually striking games out there. The game nails it on all levels, and I'm stunned every time I play the game.

So, does it have huge, expansive, fully-explorable environments that interconnect, with no loading ever? Check. The entire game world is visible at all times, and you can see distant areas from anywhere. Distant objects still appear as detailed as they are when you're up close, and this gives the game world a very cohesive feel. These beautifully rendered, massive areas are all connected in logical fashion, and there is no loading when you move between areas. There are virtually no instances in which an object appeared to be a simple shape with a picture stretched over it. Each and every object is expertly rendered, and the environments look more than just a collection of objects; they feel like living, breathing, evolving worlds. If you knock over a tree to form a bridge, it'll be there when you return the next day. And if you complete 90% of a task and don't feel like completing the remaining 10%, you can come back and finish it later. Nothing resets, and there's a great sense of permanence in the world.

Okay, but does it have super-detailed, vibrant textures that don't smear as you get close? Big Check. Screenshots cannot do this game justice. This is perhaps the first game in which I've seen objects get more detailed as you get closer, rather than degenerating into a pixely, smeary mess. Even up close, the textures look clear and vibrant, something you don't often get with computer graphics. I found myself staring at the same stone wall over and over again, because I just couldn't believe how good it looked, even when Jak was right on top of it. The artistic work that went into creating the visuals is incredible, so it's only fitting that the programmers took the time to ensure that artwork looks great at all times. Super excellent job by Naughty Dog.

What about excellent lighting that features an accelerated day-night cycle with 2 suns? Check. I love games that simulate a day-night cycle (like Grand Theft Auto III), and the system in J&D is great. The lighting is outstanding as you pass the time from sunrise to sunset (about 24 minutes). Lanterns slowly illuminate as darkness approaches, and fireflies will come out to play in certain areas. Naughty Dog even added an extra green sun, so you'll experience a cool green sunrise in there as well. This just adds to the ambience that the game creates, and gives the world an extra shade of depth. I love to run around on the beach at sunrise, or take a swim after dark.

And does it have dozens of characters featuring super-smooth Disney-caliber animation? Check. In many ways, Jak and Daxter feels like the best of the sidekick-comedies produced by Disney. The voice acting, humor and animation are all on par with what you'd expect in one of their films. The characters are all well-designed and expertly animated, and they all have unique personalities that fit the mood of the game well. This will definitely appeal to both kids and adults, but I felt that some of the jokes were a bit forced. Nevertheless, J&D feels like good cartoony fun throughout, and it's a nice change of pace from the melodrama of games like MGS2.

So, with a graphic engine capable of drawing obscene amounts of geometry with super hi-res textures without pop-in, fog-in or slow-down, is this the 800lb gorilla of PS2 visuals? Well, that's not exactly the case, but it's pretty darn close. Though you might dismiss the game simply due to its cartoony visual style, J&D easily holds its own against the likes of MGS2 and GT3. Curiously, the game lacks anti-aliasing, but most of the time you'll barely notice the jags. The game features a true widescreen mode, which is a nice treat for those of you with widescreen displays or 16x9-enhanced televisions, such as a Sony Wega.

That's all great, but how does it play? Very well, from the time I've spent with it. The game eschews a hub-based level system (think Super Mario 64) in favor of a large, cohesive game world. In this way, it feels more like an adventure game, such as The Legend of Zelda. There are villages to visit, and the townsfolk will often ask you to complete tasks for them. These tasks all relate nicely to the main story, so you'll never feel like you're doing something just for the sake of doing it. Of course, some may still view this attempt at integration as a thinly-veiled premise for collecting things, but you don't have to be a completist to progress in the game. A little exploration will usually net you what you're looking for.

And is exploring fun? Why yes, thanks to precise and intuitive play mechanics. Controlling Jak just feels right; he always does exactly what you want him to, and you'll rarely find yourself missing a jump or falling off a ledge. Running, jumping, punching and spin-kicking all come naturally as well, and you'll put these all to good use. There are transient power-ups (called Eco) that imbue Jak with extra abilities, such as increased speed or heightened attack prowess. You'll need these little boosts to complete a few time-based tasks, which inject a welcome frenetic element to the pace of the game. Naughty Dog has included a nice first-person view that allows you to look in any direction (this is also used to aim blasts of yellow Eco). This is handy for scoping out your next objective or for merely admiring the scenery.

Really? As I stated before, the tasks relate very well to the overall story of J&D. For instance, you might have to exchange a bunch of Precursor Orbs (the equivalent of a coin) for a Power Cell. Where do you get these orbs? They're scattered all over the place, in plain sight. Why do I need a Power Cell? You need a few of these to power up the heat shield on the rocket sled. Why do I want to do that? So you can cross the fire canyon and enlist the help of the Blue Sage. And why am I doing that? Well, you need his help to solve the mystery of the Precursors, and get your buddy Daxter back to normal. The objectives are all goal-oriented, instead of simply being "find 90 thingies". This may not matter to some, but I liked the setup. A nice in-game task list keeps track of what you've accomplished and what still needs to be done.

So, knowing all this, should I buy it? Well, I don't really like to make recommendations on game purchases. I think Jak and Daxter is a great game, and I'm very happy I bought it. I think if you like platform/adventure games, you should give it a try. It's at least worth a rental, just to check out the amazing visuals and game world. It's not the most innovative game you'll ever play, but it does everything exceptionally well. It's a very fun, polished experience.

Honestly, though, it seems to be missing that "spark" that would make it a must-buy game for everyone. I think Super Mario 64 is still my favorite platform game. I do feel, however, that Jak and Daxter is one of the best games this genre has ever seen, and it's a great game to play while waiting for the next Mario game. If there's a lull in your gaming schedule, J&D will be a good game to go pick up and play.