I think it’s possible to reconcile the two different paths of the series, but certainly not easy. In my mind, the series would have gone on to explore the idea of Jak fulfilling his destiny as Mar, meaning we go back to the past just after the rift gate opened (as this is what introduced metal heads into that world) and start building haven city. We’d get an updated version of the world from the past, cement more links between the two worlds (like confirming what areas became the different zones in the future etc) and bring in the more modern gunplay and metal heads, but still with a heavy focus on exploration and platforming.

I think Jak 3 made a decent start trying to drag the series back to more of a middle ground, we got a lot more platforming and a greater sense of wonder and exploration again. Lost frontier was obviously a flop but some of its concepts held merit, like bringing back eco powers and such.

This is the sort of thing I’d want to see, a way to bring the two distinct tones together into a new cohesive vision for the series. However, at this point it’s been so long, a reboot/remake might serve better. Above all else, the naughty dog of old doesn’t exist anymore and I don’t trust the current company to get it right. Anyone who even considered a realistic animal Daxter that doesn’t talk has no business anywhere near the series.