Best Shots in the Jak and Daxter Trilogy

I've come appreciate various forms of filmmaking over the years, such as cinematography, lighting, editing, et cetera. While many people go on about movies, shorts, and television shows, I don't see any posts or videos analyzing shots from video games. What better way to do this than to talk about one of my childhood favorite games.

I've played the Jak and Daxter trilogy several times that many images and moments became ingrained in my head. I've mentioned a couple of times in how developer Naughty Dog upped the presentation in their games to give a cinematic feel. I watched every cutscene and captured certain shots that stood out to me. There's not going to be any shots from Jak X, Daxter, and The Lost Frontier because I'm not as familiar with them than I am with the first three games. Also, there will be spoilers, so beware.

Before anyone asks: yes, this was inspired by One Perfect Shot. The images they shared helped me open up a bit more about cinematography and shot composition. What effect are they trying to accomplish? Any feelings that they want us to feel? Which shots define the trilogy? That's the purpose of this post.

Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy

The graphics are a little rough around the edges nowadays, being an early PS2 title after all, but it doesn't stop this shot from looking gorgeous. The fact that it's during the sunrise makes it feel like we're starting a brand new adventure, while also being given a preview on what parts of the map will look like. If you look closely, you can even see that dirigible that you would later encounter in Boggy Swamp, so this shot basically covers half the map of the game, which is impressive.

How do you celebrate defeating the bad guys? By doing a victory dance and pose, of course! The overall purpose of this shot was to just give the player a feeling of joy for accomplishing a goal. There is a great focus on Jak and Daxter as they are framed in the center, while we are given a decent view of the landscape behind them. It's really good stuff.

Here it is, the last shot of the game when you unlock the extra ending. The bright light coming from the Precursor door makes the whole moment mystical, but also mysterious. Just what is it? Is it of any importance? Well, you'll find out in the sequel. A good way to leave the players hanging.

Yeah, I couldn't find more shots that stood out to me, so let's move on.

Jak II

What better way to start off the second installment than to bring up one of the more iconic moments. This shot perfectly captures Jak's helplessness as we look down on him. It's a pretty unsettling moment as he is being tortured and experimented on, while Baron Praxis and Erol show a look of indifference. It's a moment that further establishes the darker and edgier tone in contrast to the previous title. That, and it's also a visual call-back to the original Crash Bandicoot, also developed by Naughty Dog.

As if the beginning wasn't enough, this moment is another way of the game establishing how dark and edgy it is by adding gunplay. The camera pans down to give us a good glimpse of that beauty called the Scatter Gun, while also giving us Jak's awesome facial expression. His look just says "I like it" in a mischievous tone.

How often do you see a single shot that is both tense and comical? I could be wrong on this one, but not many. I mean, it's tense because Jak and Daxter's cover has been blown. It's also comical because of the expressions. Jak's face says it all: an annoyed look that says "Nice going, Daxter!"

The sight of Samos's hut is a true Wham Shot right there. It makes us think back of the first game, where it was all light-hearted and colorful. Now it's all depressing and ruined, as a way of looking back at how the world fell when the Metal Heads invaded. It gives a bleak outlook on the state of the world outside of the city, with just a glimmer of hope in restoring it.

Out of all the shots in Jak II, this one always stood out to me. I mean, Jak is just getting an air train pass from the kid, so why does shot intrigue me? It's because it tightens their connection, while also foreshadowing that (SPOILERS) they're the same person.

Finally, let's end Jak II with one of the more uplifting shots, where Jak, Daxter, and Samos look up to see fireworks. It gives a feeling that things will begin anew on a more positive note... until the events of Jak 3.

Jak 3

Jak, Daxter, and Pecker are stranded in the Wasteland. How can the beginning capture the vastness of the desert and the feeling of isolation? With a rule of third shot, of course! Very pleasing to eyes, if I may so myself.

From the way the shot pans over to Kleiver, I like to interpret this moment as Jak and Daxter seeing him as shady. After all, they arrived in this forgotten city, so it's hard to be acquainted with anyone. The story subverts this later on since he's one of the good guys after all, but how was anyone supposed to know that the first time playing it? A great way to keep the player on their toes.

The Day Star was a nice little background detail in the previous two games, unless you played the PS3 collection, which replaces it with the moon for no apparent reason. Who knew that it would finally have the payoff that we didn't know we wanted? This one shot alone gives a sense of dread and mystery. It helps that there is a great deal of contrast when I focus on the brightest subject, which is (you guessed it) the Day Star.

I could have captured this better, but I think I got the idea across. Daxter's facial expression and the fact that he is riding a missile helps makes this moment comical, and the blurring gives it a sense of speed. 'Nuff said.

What a great way to reveal Errol's (yes, it's spelled like that in this game now) new form. From the way the camera pans up as we get the first view of his foot and finally reveals his cybernetic form, it makes him out to be an intimidating figure.

From the times Jak receives Light powers, the moment where he gets the flight ability was the most powerful. It gives him an angelic-like appearance, with the glow providing some contrast in the dimly-lit room. The way the "goober-eyed Precursor thingy" is framed, anyone who sees this shot without context can get the idea that Jak is receiving a gift from the gods.

The only problem I have is that Daxter is still flopped on Jak's shoulder and he gets up just as Jak does, which is a bit distracting.

Damas dies, unknowingly revealing to Jak that he is his father. The way that Jak and Damas are at distance in this shot indicates that we're far from Jak's reach as he is grieving. It also helps that the lighting of the Stadium Ruins is a bit bleak, like Jak's world has just gone dark. A well-earned tearjerker moment.

Whatever you feel about that infamous plot twist, this is not only a great Wham Shot, but a comedic one as well. The first time watching it, chances are that your jaw dropped at the mere sight that the fabled Precursors are Ottsels. It's also a great shout-out to The Wizard of Oz. The Ottsel Leader may as well have said "Pay no attention to these fuzzy creatures in the computer room."

And to end on an epic note, we have this moment of the sandstorm revealing Jak and Daxter after the final battle. The way it's framed gives this scene a sense of triumph. The worst is finally over, so let's just walk away like we're total bada**es. With that, the other reason I selected this is just because it looks cool, which is well-earned here.

The only downside is that I couldn't find any HD footage of where it took place in the day (since it's a lot more clear), so this is what I have to stick with.
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And those are, in my opinion, the best shots in the Jak and Daxter trilogy. Anyone agree? Did I happen to miss any? Feel free to leave feedback in the comments. If anyone wants to see more of these, I have a few other video game franchises I want to make a blog post about.