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Just Cause 2
Having played the original, Just Cause
was an interesting and ambitious game that although did well, never
reached the heights, the developers were intending. With that said, the
market has some standout titles such as Bayonetta, Batman: Arkham
Asylum and Uncharted 2, which has given developers
definitely something high to aim for.
Thankfully, the creators of Just
Cause 2 have just done that, aimed high and have returned gamers to Rico
Rodriguez, the protagonist behind this latest instalment. And action
once again has a
new name with Rodtriguez! So what is Just Cause 2? Simply put, it’s a third person
action adventure game set on the sandbox island of Panau.
Like
the original, Just Cause 2 has some great action scenes and the opening
is quite impressive as our hero jumps from a helicopter. It’s these well
choreographed scenes that make this current game so enjoyable, not to
mention the lush graphics and improved gameplay. The original for me,
had no real direction and the AI was at times annoying, however in the
sequel, the story is more fleshed out and there is more direction for
the player.
The story revolves around
Rico's search for his former commanding officer and friend, Tom Sheldon
who apparently has gone rogue. Sheldon has also stolen millions of
dollars from this secret agency and top secret intel to boot. Reports
indicate that Sheldon has gone to the South East Asian island of Panau
that is ruled by three dangerous factions.
Your job is easy, use the factions to find Sheldon and eliminate this
threat. The three different
factions in Just Cause 2 are quite diverse as you complete missions for
them but at the end of the day, you’ll be taking over these factions
with your technician for your new base which is also handy if you die.
The
control system works well on the PS3, although controlling some of the
vehicles does become a mixed bag of fun and frustration, especially
those pesky jet planes. As the vehicles are so diverse, more often than
not, you’ll destroy one in your wild antics such as crashing a plane but
parachuting out into the sea or crashing your speedboat, it’s a long
swim back.
Grappling is another highlight of the control system as you
grapple yourself up perilously dangerous ledges or use it on enemies or vehicles.
Fun indeed! When it comes to enemies, the game is littered with them but
boy is it fun to dispatch them with a plethora of weapons and vehicles.
BANG and SQUASH! There are so many ways to defeating your enemies in
Just Cause 2, it’s ridiculous but definitely a fun aspect of the
gameplay.
Graphically, Just Cause 2 is a very good looking game that is pure eye
candy. The tropical island paradise of Panau has some great attention to
detail and really captures this virtual world perfectly from its foliage
to mountains and realistic water effects. Whether your gliding down to
Earth before your parachute is used, grappling onto a crane or driving a
speedboat at insane speeds, the realism of the game is quite
unparalleled.
Add in some great weather effects from clouds and lighting such as
sunsets and visually, it really helps you get immersed into this
universe. With the realistic animation and some interesting cutscenes,
the developers have should be commended on a job well done.
Just as with
the graphics, the soundtrack, sound effects and background ambience
highlights the entire gaming experience, especially when you hear those
Hollywood style of explosions boom through your surround sound system or
the chatter of the enemy soldiers.
Final Thoughts? Just Cause 2 is a thoroughly entertaining
title that surpasses its predecessor and creates a very fun and
open-ended game that virtually lets you do anything with the objects,
vehicles and environments. The illusion of freedom works well and
although you might feel insignificant at the start, I do urge you to
continue because the game gets better and better as you progress. Check
it out! |
