Before Naughty Dog took a chance with bigger, more expensive intellectual properties likeUnchartedandThe Last of Us, the studio worked onJak and Daxter.Using what they learned fromCrash Bandicoot, the developers implemented strong platforming into a story-driven open world. The first game,Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, leaned more on gameplay than its story, butJak 2andJak 3took things to a whole new level.
Because of the popularity of games likeGrand Theft Auto 3at the time, bothJak 2andJak 3included open-world elements like driving, side missions, gunplay, and a talking lead protagonist. Prior toJak 2, Jak was portrayed as a silent hero. This wasn’t bad because Daxter, his friend and partner, had more than enough dialogue to cover for the both of them. But since Naughty Dog was eager to up its storytelling chops, it gave Jak a voice to give him more character. The only real times when Jak fails as a lead protagonist in theJak and Daxtertrilogy is when he transforms into his alter egos: Dark Jak and Light Jak.
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Who Is Dark Jak?
The origins of Dark Jak and Light Jak are very different. AfterJak and his friends get transported to Haven Cityby accident, Jak is captured and experimented on by the city’s ruler, Baron Praxis. As part of the baron’s “Dark Warrior” project, Jak is subjected to a mysterious substance called Dark Eco. Now whenever Jak gathers enough Dark Eco and gets angry, he transforms into Dark Jak.
Both his skin and hair become pale, his nails grow longer to resemble claws, he grows horns on his head, and his eyes become completely black. Dark Jak is physically stronger and can take more damage while dishing out destructive moves. Apart from standard punches and kicks, Dark Jak has powers such as Dark Bomb and Dark Blast, both of which can wipe out multiple enemies in an instant. ThoughJak can be a violent character at times, Dark Jak’s purpose is to cause as much destruction as possible before Jak regains control of himself.
Who Is Light Jak?
Light Jak makes his first appearance inJak 3.The whole year Jak spent with his dark alter egotakes its toll on him, making him angrier and prone to violent outbursts. This changes once Jak and Daxter come into contact with the Precursors - an ancient race of powerful beings. The Precursors present Jak with the gift of Light Eco, a counterbalance to the Dark Eco coursing in his veins.
Light Jak douses Jak, his clothes, and his equipment in a glowing blue aura while turning his eyes completely white. In contrast to Dark Jak’s combat-oriented powers, Light Jak focuses on restorative and defensive abilities. The first Light Eco power Jak is given isLight Regeneration, which allows him to heal over time. This is followed by Flash Freeze (an ability that lets him slow time) and Light Shield (a protective barrier that shields Jak and Daxter from harm). The final Light Eco power is unique, as Light Flight gives Jak wings that he can use to reach previously inaccessible areas.
Personalities Without Personality
Despite their differences, one of the things Dark Jak and Light Jak share is their lack of speech.The only words Dark Jak ever saysin theJak and Daxtertrilogy are Daxter’s and Count Veger’s names (Veger being the main antagonist ofJak 3). These words aren’t enough to give any character a personality, but the fact that he says them mid-transformation causes confusion whether Jak said them as himself or as his alter ego. Light Jak, on the other hand, is completely mute and maintains his composure throughout all appearances.
Having Jak’s alter egos remain silentis a missed opportunity. Jak’s transformations into Dark Jak should allow him to more openly voice his violent tendencies without fear of judgment. Likewise, the times he becomes Light Jak should be filled with dialogue befitting someone who keeps their calm and assesses the situation before acting. Considering these two characters are personifications of Jak’s extremities, they should be more vocal with their thoughts so audiences and other characters get a better grasp of what the protagonist is feeling at all times.
It is strange that by giving Jak a voice inJak 2, Naughty Dog decided to make his alter egos mute.Should Naughty Dog ever decide to remake theJak and Daxtertrilogy, it should consider giving Jak and his alter egos more personality. The video game landscape has come a long way since the originalJak and Daxtergames, and having silent protagonists who provide nothing outside the context of gameplay doesn’t exactly work in a character-driven narrative.
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