Jak X: Combat Racing

About

Jak X: Combat Racing throws you into the driver's seat of a high stakes racing tournament. You and a crew of poisoned allies must battle through 20 tracks spread across eight varied environments. Each race lets you tweak one of a dozen vehicles with different handling styles while using power-ups like mines turbo boosts and smart bombs to overtake rivals. The single player campaign follows a straightforward race to win structure but keeps things lively with mid race objectives and enemy interference. The game shines in its multiplayer options. Split screen and online modes let up to six players compete though online play tops out at five opponents. Customization and tight controls help it stand out even if the story feels tacked on. With an 8.5/10 score from 4200 user reviews it's clear Combat Racing still delivers fun if you're into chaotic weaponized racing. The PS4 port adds a surprising second wind to a 20 year old title.

Storyline

Taking place one year after Jak 3, Haven City has been steadily rebuilt after the defeat of the Dark Makers, Metal Head and KG Attacks. Combat racing became a sport over time in the dangerous Kras City. Jak, Daxter, Ashelin, Samos, Keira, Torn and Sig (Who does not attend) receive an invite to the reading of Krew's last will, as does his daughter, Rayn. After offering a toast, Krew reveals in a recording that everyone present has been poisoned with black shade. Krew gives an ultimatum: the only way to obtain the antidote is for everyone to race and win at the next Kras City Grand Championship. As Jak and friends progress through each race, they find that another crime syndicate led by the mysterious Mizo has it in for Jak. Eventually it is revealed that Krew and Mizo made a deal before the events of Jak 3: both gangs were to make their own racing teams and the loser of the Kras City Championship will submit, making the winner the sole crime family in Jak's world.