Jak II[a] is an action-adventure video game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2 in 2003.

The core gameplay of Jak II remains somewhat similar to that of the previous game, with a recurring reliance on platforming challenges and vehicle usage.

Eco as a timed power-up from the previous game has been removed; and the introduction of the Morph Gun, a multipurpose firearm, adds a greater emphasis on enemy combat.

By collecting these skull gems, dropped by most Metal Head creatures when defeated, Jak can gain additional abilities for his dark form and play minigames at kiosks throughout Haven City.

The game largely revolves around Haven City, a dystopia ruled by Baron Praxis and his Krimzon Guard law enforcers.

When they first arrive in Haven City, Jak is captured by Krimzon Guards and becomes the subject of Baron Praxis's (voiced by Clancy Brown) "Dark Warrior" project.

In escaping the prison and accessing the city, the pair encounter an elderly man named Kor, protecting a young boy known only as The Kid.

Kor sends them to make contact with the Underground, a resistance movement led by the mysterious figure known as the Shadow, seeking to bring down Praxis and replace him with the city's rightful heir, The Kid.

Meeting with the Shadow's lieutenant, Torn, the pair learn that Praxis is seeking to protect the city from creatures known as Metal Heads, an evil biomechanical race dating back from Precursor times.

Working for the Underground, the pair eventually discover that they have been flung nearly 300 years into the future, after finding the remains of their home village in the city's borders.

Working with Young Samos, the pair eventually help the Underground find and access the tomb, but become separated when it closes shut on them.

With no choice, the pair search the tomb and discover an ancient artifact within called the Precursor Stone, which Praxis steals in hopes of cracking it open and use its destruction that can destroy the Metal Heads, despite it having the potential to wipe out Haven City.

At the same time, Jak and Daxter track down Praxis and find him meeting with Kor, who transpires to be the Metal Heads' leader in disguise and had been seeking to use The Kid in order to bring the world into ruin.

The pair swiftly pursue after Kor, killing him and finding the very Rift Gate they used to travel through time, and ending the Metal Heads threat.

In the aftermath of the conflict, Daxter takes over Krew's bar, as he, Jak, Samos and Kiera prepare to enjoy their new lives in Haven City.

Jak is far more likeable now that he speaks, and the fact that he's pissed off and owns honking big guns weaves in an unmistakable new level of emotion into the narrative.

"[6] Game Informer praised "having the freedom to tackle challenges in a less linear fashion" and likened the new gameplay to the Grand Theft Auto series.

"[14] IGN named Jak II the #8 hardest PlayStation 2 game, citing its combat, platforming, city navigation, and instant death scenarios.