Haven City

Lore & Background

Haven City was constructed as a fortress against the Metal Heads, a monstrous race that threatened the world. Its massive walls, powered by a mysterious substance called Eco, were designed to keep the creatures at bay, but they also trapped the city's inhabitants in a state of perpetual fear and control. Baron Praxis, a militaristic leader, seized power and ruled with an iron fist, using the city's defenses as a means to suppress dissent and maintain his authority. The city is divided into several districts, each with its own character: the industrial slums of the Industrial District, the opulent but corrupt Port, and the desolate, lawless Wasteland beyond the walls.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell in oily sheets, washing the grime from the cobblestones but not the despair from the air. A young boy, his face smudged with dirt, pressed his nose against the cold glass of a weapons shop. Inside, a sleek, blue-tinted rifle gleamed under a harsh light. 'One day,' he whispered, 'I'll be strong enough to take it. Then I'll show them all.' A guard's boot slammed against the glass, and the boy vanished into the shadows, a ghost in a city of ghosts. But the guard didn't chase—he just spat, adjusted his visor, and moved on. In Haven City, children are just another kind of vermin.

Reader's Guide

Haven City is the central hub in *Jak II* and *Jak 3*, a massive, open-world environment where players complete missions, purchase upgrades, and interact with characters. The city is divided into distinct districts: the Industrial District (starting area), the Port, and the Wasteland (accessible later). Players navigate the city using hover vehicles, jet-boards, and on foot, but must avoid the ever-present Krimzon Guard, who attack on sight. The city is also home to the Underground, a resistance movement fighting against Baron Praxis. Key locations include the Baron's Palace, the Hip Hog Heaven saloon, and the Metal Head nest beneath the city. The city's layout and hostile patrols make traversal a constant challenge, but it also offers hidden secrets, side missions, and opportunities for exploration. Haven City is not just a setting but a character in itself, reflecting the themes of oppression, survival, and rebellion that define the game's narrative.

Did You Know?

• Jak is imprisoned by the Krimzon Guard upon his arrival in Haven City in *Jak II*.
• Daxter works as a pest exterminator for the Kridder Ridder company during the two-year gap introduced in the opening of *Jak II*, while Jak is imprisoned.
• In *Jak 3*, Jak and Daxter are exiled to the Wasteland by Count Veger after being blamed by the residents of Haven City for its destruction.
• Haven City is an industrious city first entered by Jak, Daxter, Samos, and Keira after using the rift gate in *Jak II*.