Jak and Daxter always struck me in an odd sort of way. The first game arrived a few years ago and brought Naughty Dog into a vibrant new direction of platforming, similar in flavor to their Crash Bandicoot games but much more zesty and extravagant. It still stands as one of the best platformers for the system, and an easy snag for $5. But then Naughty Dog shifted gears for the second game, Jak II, which was just as appealing in terms of platforming but disappointed with its addition of "carjacking" (obviously taking a bite of the GTA bug) and its much more mature theme. Jak 3, which arrived last year, tried to make some amends, but felt like a lackluster conclusion to the trilogy, too hung up on some gameplay quirks to be a real worthwhile adventure, unlike the Sly Cooper and Ratchet and Clank games released in 2004.

But now Jak has returned in an all new game, marking the second time in many years that Naughty Dog has taken their mascots to the race track. (Remember Crash Team Racing on the PlayStation?) Jak X: Combat Racing manages a neat trick by installing the universe surrounding Jak and company and creating a worthwhile racer around it, instead of just another by-the-numbers product rushed to shelves. But it may be too smarmy for its own good, and that'll turn off some of its audience.

The story goes a little something like this. Jak and Daxter, along with a few compatriots and foes, find themselves forced into a racing circuit for survival. No, it's not a matter of gunners on the track, but rather a poison that an antidote will be rewarded for only if a first place victory is earned. You'd think it would be an easy task, but you have no idea how ruthless the competition becomes when lives are on the line. This is a nice approach, adding a darker theme to an otherwise personality-laden racing game.

In the game, you're given a vehicle and then you hit the track, taking on competition and earning Turbos and weapons by collecting different kinds of Eco around the track. Eco are multiple colored sparks that you can pick up in certain spots around each track, and once enough is built into your arsenal, you'll have plenty of weapons on hand, as well as those helpful Turbos to boost you ahead. You can also combine some of these to enhance your vehicular performance, which comes in handy, as some of the carts don't perform as swiftly as others.

This is where an upgrade system comes into play. Win enough races in Jak X and you'll be able to get new parts and other items to help you become a better competitor. This also adds a nice twist to the cart racing theme, keeping Jak X fresh in its approach. It's not sizably built for customization, but at least some things keep it from being the same race over and over again.