Just last week, I complained Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time wasn't getting much publicity - at least when compared to other games. Cue at least ten commercials between then and now. I expect the same jump for Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier, a game that managed to sneak in under my radar and of most people I've talked to. Usually a stealthy release is a sure sign something has gone terribly, terribly wrong (see any Eddie Murphy movie released in the last 5 years for an example). This isn't the case with The Lost Frontier; it has its problems, but it is still a decent game not getting a proper push.

It's clear a few corners were cut for the transition to the PSP, but overall, The Lost Frontier manages to hold on to the same visuals and style as previous games. Animations run smoothly and match their respective characters as good as the voices. Daxter is still a comical screw-up, Jak continues his trend towards a very dark place... it's all great! Add to it a slew of lighting effects, a solid framerate and sweeping score and you've got one hell of a presentation.

The world's Eco supply is running dangerously low, setting Jak, Daxter and Keira on a quest to the edge of the world. According to legend, an ancient Precursor machine resides somewhere in the outlands, called the Brink, with the ability to create new Eco. However, a group of Sky Pirates are also interested in the machine. Though story is usually a key point in the series, it is mostly just around for window dressing here. There are a few laughs and some exposition, but you're really just tossed into the adventure without much of an explanation or reason to want to see it through.

For all fundamental purposes, Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier is a Jak and Daxter game. In other words, if you've played any game in the series, you've probably already played this one. The same is true for A Crack in Time, though with that game, there was a bit of refinement to the series. The Lost Frontier keeps the focus primarily on platforming and shooter/ combat elements from past games, but adds a few airborne vehicle levels. Okay, so a lot of airborne levels. Between platforming areas, Jak can jump into a plane and combat the sky pirates. These areas make up a sizeable portion of gameplay, so it is a good thing they're fun. These areas play similar to Starfox or any other arcade shooter to hit consoles in recent years. Jak begins with a basic plane and can collect scrap metal to trade in for upgrades. The game does a good job of throwing a lot at you during these sequences, though they do tend to drag at times.

Dragging gameplay goes beyond the air levels. Although well thought out, levels tend to repeat ideas a little too often. I can understand wanting to repeat good ideas, but it gets to a point where even the best of ideas feel contrived. I can honestly say, sometimes I felt like I had to force myself through the game for the sake of review, not because I was having fun.

Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier is one of the harder entries in the series, and not just because of the control scheme. My issues with the PSP's analog nub are a thing of legend and The Lost Frontier does little to alleviate my struggles. Basic platforming is okay, but trying to adjust the camera using the shoulder triggers is a cumbersome pain. You'll eventually learn to cope, but it isn't fun. Shooting also presents a few issues with aiming. There's no manual lock, just an auto-lock. Additionally, Jak can't strafe or aim up, limiting what you can shoot at and how you shoot at it. Like the camera, it's something you eventually learn to deal with and is more of a hardware issue than anything else. Still, it's an annoyance and will lead to cheap deaths.

Control issues aside, The Lost Frontier is a challenging game. At times, it feels like levels are designed with the PS2 in mind rather than the PSP. Sometimes it's the camera, other times it is quick-timing, something hard to coax out of the nub. Thankfully, there are plenty of checkpoints along the way, so even if a bad camera angle causes a tumble down a bottomless pit, there isn't much backtracking.

While traditional run and jump platforming is a big part of Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier, Jak's increasing Eco powers play a larger role in the core gameplay. Although Jak's personality takes a slightly darker tone, his Eco powers remain relatively light and friendly. He has a stock of offensive powers, such as an Eco blast, as well as the ability to create platforms or slow time. Unlike other games, where powers are more a side-note than a major mechanic, you'll need all of Jak's powers to navigate levels. This is all well and good, but no amount of Eco powers can save the game from tedium.

Despite starring in his own fun, successful game, Daxter finds himself relegated to sidekick once again. At certain points in the game, Daxter can charge up with Eco powers and tackle more puzzle-based platforming areas. The portions aren't terrible, but feel alien to the rest of the gameplay. You're still performing platforming areas, but something feels "off" about them. The same goes from some of Jak's areas. They're better designed and incredibly functional, but at the same time, gameplay can't help but feel dated. Though not a bad thing, it is hard to escape the feeling you've done all this before.

Although the tone of this review sounds poor, Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier is not a terrible game. At best, it's good-to-okay. Series diehards, or anyone looking for a portable platformer, will probably manage to look over some of the game's rough spots. At the same time, I'm one of these people and had a really hard time not tripping over the poor story and repetition.