"This is what the PSP was made for"

Chances are, you already know that Daxter (the game) is a spin off of the very popular Ps2 series "Jak & Daxter", or the latest games "Jak2" "Jak3", and "Jak Combat Racing". I'm sure I don't need to tell you who Daxter is, being the loud orange rat that usually sits on Jak's shoulder (oh the irony of this sentence).

Ready at Dawn, the studio in charge of porting the platforming goodness originally created by Naughty Dog, had their work cut out for them. Make a platformer that is funny, that fits in the Jak universe, and that plays well on PSP. They had no room for failure, as I'm sure they would not want to bring down the wrath of their bigger compatriots, Naughty Dog.

And by all means, they succeeded.

Storywise, Daxter happens two years after the timeshift at the end of "Jak & Daxter". Dax is roaming the bars of Haven City (without Jak, who has been kidnapped by the Baron remember?), when he gets a gig as a bug exterminator. Sure, it's not the greatest tale there ever was, but it gets the job done, and fits in nicely with the entire Jak Universe story.

Graphically speaking, Daxter is a tour de force. If not for the subway riders next to you (or whatever happens to be in the proximity when you whip out your PSP), you could swear you were playing a Ps2 game. It's crisp, clean, and absolutely beautiful to look at. Since Daxter is so tiny, everything really feels much bigger than it usually is playing as Jak in Haven City. It gives the game a sense of "creepiness" that fits the style for some reason. Some levels, such as your very first mission, will leave you gasping in awe. Yes, this is a PSP game, and it really looks that damn good.

The animations themselves are also incredible. Daxter moves around with a smoothness you rarely get to see in games, especially platformers, which force you to jump a lot. Sound is good, the voice acting as always is hilarious, but the music could have used some work. Sometimes it works great and gives the game a sort of "haunted mansion" kind of feel while at other times it's just elevator music.

The big question has to be however, just how are the controls. They've made and broken a lot of PSP games so far (more broken than made), so if Daxter has nothing, then there's no point of even discussing the game now is there?

Luckily for the player, Ready At Dawn has gotten on the ball, and delivers a tight and precise control scheme. Daxter will jump where you ask him to, bash what you want him to, double jump, hover, and even drive on a whim. It feels comfortable, and that's saying a lot when talking about PSP games. I can't think of a spot where I've actually had to fight with either the camera or the controls to make a jump. The few times I've actually died were my own fault for underestimating the enemy.

Which brings me to my next point. The game isn't "difficult" per se. It shouldn't take anyone longer than 10-15 hours to clear the game. For 100% fanatics though, there should be enough to keep you busy a bit longer, with the dream levels to get high scores on (and unlock new moves), cheats, and videos. It packs quite a lot under its belt in term of extras, and that's never a problem.

From there, does the game warrant a purchase? Only you can be the judge.

Yet as far as production goes, Daxter is astounding. It's the perfect example of what gamers want on a handheld (or console for that matter) in terms of platformer and quick, easy fun. It's as polished as ever, and leaves you with a big smile on your face. There's hardly anything wrong with the game, and with no loadings, any PSP owner should at the very least give Daxter a try. He may not always get the main role, but he kicks ass and takes names all the same.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/20/06