lost
03-31-2010, 01:48 PM
Title: Just Cause 2
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS3 / PC
Platform Reviewed: PS3
Developer: Avalanche Studios (http://www.avalanchestudios.se/Start.aspx)
Publisher: Square Enix (http://www.square-enix.com/na/)
MSRP: $59.99
Writer: Martin 'lost' Perry
Just Cause 2 Review
You'll have Just Cause to buy this game after my review...
Full disclosure time. I was a huge fan of the original Just Cause. Sure, it was loaded with flaws. The island was huge but pretty vacant, the missions were few and far between and the developers struggled to force new mechanics into ancient gameplay. Not to be deterred, Avalanche Studios have returned with a sequel but returned much later than planned. Originally scheduled to release a mere year after the first game, the developers made the right decision when they decided to take plenty of time in order to pack out the game with quality content.
It really is huge on every front this time around. Yes, there's a new and equally massive island to play on but this time you've got 49 faction missions, 9 stronghold missions and perhaps 7 story missions along with numerous races of differing type (sky dive, car and plane based options all available). Round that off with around 300 collectible items and 400 or so locations, all of which have completion rates based on destruction and discovering upgrade resources, you've either got 20 hours or 50 hours of game depending on your dedication to that 100% completion rate.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/LostGames/justcause2_1.jpg
Of course, this would all be in vain were the content not of a high quality, particularly the missions. Those 65 or so missions are varied and exciting primarily because of the game's biggest change. The grappling hook returns but now has far more practical function. Originally you could merely grapple onto vehicles whereas now the whole world is a target. That means you can slingshot up into the sky and float around on your parachute from any point. It's double-ended this time too so you can attach two objects together and watch the physics engine go to work. It's brilliant fun zipping around in the parachute, making victims of enemies in never-ending scenes of punishment and using the grapple to beam around the level quickly.
It's almost without fault, with no glitches in function. It does have a distinct impact on navigation between airborne vehicles though. Gone are the days when you can simply stunt jump with ease between moving planes and helicopters. Instead, you now have to make accurate shots with the grapple gun often with a tiny window for success. Fans of the original may mourn the change but diving between ground based vehicles remains much the same and gives the same sense of satisfaction. In all, the drastic change to this key tool makes the game more realistic – a key complaint of Just Cause's detractors. It's still bat shit crazy mind.
The missions really are off the wall in their construction. You can expect to travel across the length and breadth of the island of Panau, through its snow, desert and tropicals, carrying out familiar objectives in completely original ways. Delivering an item to a destination doesn't stir up any particular excitement until you consider the possibilities for executing the task. Why not attach it to a helicopter or plane? Or you could grab a jeep and pile down the side of a cliff. Perhaps you want to outrun the chasing authorities. Or parachute down to your destination. At one point I was literally strapped to a space rocket placing triggered explosives. At another I journeyed to an island populated by a massive electronic weapon, destroyed it and escaped with the spoils along dangerous cliffs.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/LostGames/justcause2_4.jpg
There's just so much fun to be had within the missions that, despite their volume, you will be compelled to replay. Want proof? In a stupid move I took myself from all 49 faction missions completed, right at the end-game, back to around 14 faction missions completed following a sleepy 'Load' rather than 'Save'. I played it all again. I never do that. I'm the king of once and done. I'm bummed I have to get this review written and can't just go back to experimenting within this sandbox full of toys. Through hours of gameplay and replayability, Avalanche have elevated the franchise from acceptable rental to satisfying purchase.
Just Cause 2 does have its faults though. The physics model for cars, motorbikes and trucks remains disappointingly floaty and imprecise. Along the narrow roads of a developing island this can cause unfair crashes even during missions. Next, you've got the fact that upon completion of the game you enter a mode that encourages you to push on toward 100% completion but doesn't allow you to replay and experiment in the missions. The story is thin on the ground too which puts the game in the category of 'toy' rather than 'immersive experience'. Given the detail and depth placed into every settlement and inch of the map you can forgive them for not quite getting everything right but these faults niggle enough to be noticeable.
The modeling has had a big upgrade with Rico, the returning lead, looking great with some cool effects in the snowy region. The island itself is of the same visual quality but is much more interesting to look at, particularly the urban regions. From up high you can see the island stretch out and it is no longer an impressive but entirely blank canvas. I wonder if dropping PS2 support has facilitated this or if the developers have just become more comfortable with their own technology. On the PS3 I experienced a couple of crashes, with no discernible cause, but general performance remained flawless throughout.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/LostGames/justcause2_3.jpg
It's pretty obvious then that the good heartily outweighs the bad this time around. Grand Theft Auto IV has been and gone and Avalanche have created the incomparable product that explodes the genre into newly creative pieces. It's not just that you can come in at a problem from a different angle but you can now come at it from any angle. Really easily. Firing a rocket launcher while strapped to a parachute. Having just sent a fighter jet into the faces of your enemies. Sounds brilliant huh?
Score: 4 out of 5
http://evavhost.com/public/4.gif
The Good
Lots of missions this time and a world that's packed out with stuff to do.
The crazy mechanics have taken a big upgrade, especially the grappling hook, allowing immense player creativity.
Endless options and replayability.
A far more interesting island with great visual clarity.
The Bad
The driving mechanics suck, especially the sports-cars.
You've not got a compelling story. It just provides the excuses for insanity.
Almost as if they haven't realised their own games' replayability there is no mission selector.
The Ugly
You overwrite your auto-save whenever you load a game so you better complete the whole thing before messing around with your various save games.
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS3 / PC
Platform Reviewed: PS3
Developer: Avalanche Studios (http://www.avalanchestudios.se/Start.aspx)
Publisher: Square Enix (http://www.square-enix.com/na/)
MSRP: $59.99
Writer: Martin 'lost' Perry
Just Cause 2 Review
You'll have Just Cause to buy this game after my review...
Full disclosure time. I was a huge fan of the original Just Cause. Sure, it was loaded with flaws. The island was huge but pretty vacant, the missions were few and far between and the developers struggled to force new mechanics into ancient gameplay. Not to be deterred, Avalanche Studios have returned with a sequel but returned much later than planned. Originally scheduled to release a mere year after the first game, the developers made the right decision when they decided to take plenty of time in order to pack out the game with quality content.
It really is huge on every front this time around. Yes, there's a new and equally massive island to play on but this time you've got 49 faction missions, 9 stronghold missions and perhaps 7 story missions along with numerous races of differing type (sky dive, car and plane based options all available). Round that off with around 300 collectible items and 400 or so locations, all of which have completion rates based on destruction and discovering upgrade resources, you've either got 20 hours or 50 hours of game depending on your dedication to that 100% completion rate.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/LostGames/justcause2_1.jpg
Of course, this would all be in vain were the content not of a high quality, particularly the missions. Those 65 or so missions are varied and exciting primarily because of the game's biggest change. The grappling hook returns but now has far more practical function. Originally you could merely grapple onto vehicles whereas now the whole world is a target. That means you can slingshot up into the sky and float around on your parachute from any point. It's double-ended this time too so you can attach two objects together and watch the physics engine go to work. It's brilliant fun zipping around in the parachute, making victims of enemies in never-ending scenes of punishment and using the grapple to beam around the level quickly.
It's almost without fault, with no glitches in function. It does have a distinct impact on navigation between airborne vehicles though. Gone are the days when you can simply stunt jump with ease between moving planes and helicopters. Instead, you now have to make accurate shots with the grapple gun often with a tiny window for success. Fans of the original may mourn the change but diving between ground based vehicles remains much the same and gives the same sense of satisfaction. In all, the drastic change to this key tool makes the game more realistic – a key complaint of Just Cause's detractors. It's still bat shit crazy mind.
The missions really are off the wall in their construction. You can expect to travel across the length and breadth of the island of Panau, through its snow, desert and tropicals, carrying out familiar objectives in completely original ways. Delivering an item to a destination doesn't stir up any particular excitement until you consider the possibilities for executing the task. Why not attach it to a helicopter or plane? Or you could grab a jeep and pile down the side of a cliff. Perhaps you want to outrun the chasing authorities. Or parachute down to your destination. At one point I was literally strapped to a space rocket placing triggered explosives. At another I journeyed to an island populated by a massive electronic weapon, destroyed it and escaped with the spoils along dangerous cliffs.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/LostGames/justcause2_4.jpg
There's just so much fun to be had within the missions that, despite their volume, you will be compelled to replay. Want proof? In a stupid move I took myself from all 49 faction missions completed, right at the end-game, back to around 14 faction missions completed following a sleepy 'Load' rather than 'Save'. I played it all again. I never do that. I'm the king of once and done. I'm bummed I have to get this review written and can't just go back to experimenting within this sandbox full of toys. Through hours of gameplay and replayability, Avalanche have elevated the franchise from acceptable rental to satisfying purchase.
Just Cause 2 does have its faults though. The physics model for cars, motorbikes and trucks remains disappointingly floaty and imprecise. Along the narrow roads of a developing island this can cause unfair crashes even during missions. Next, you've got the fact that upon completion of the game you enter a mode that encourages you to push on toward 100% completion but doesn't allow you to replay and experiment in the missions. The story is thin on the ground too which puts the game in the category of 'toy' rather than 'immersive experience'. Given the detail and depth placed into every settlement and inch of the map you can forgive them for not quite getting everything right but these faults niggle enough to be noticeable.
The modeling has had a big upgrade with Rico, the returning lead, looking great with some cool effects in the snowy region. The island itself is of the same visual quality but is much more interesting to look at, particularly the urban regions. From up high you can see the island stretch out and it is no longer an impressive but entirely blank canvas. I wonder if dropping PS2 support has facilitated this or if the developers have just become more comfortable with their own technology. On the PS3 I experienced a couple of crashes, with no discernible cause, but general performance remained flawless throughout.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/LostGames/justcause2_3.jpg
It's pretty obvious then that the good heartily outweighs the bad this time around. Grand Theft Auto IV has been and gone and Avalanche have created the incomparable product that explodes the genre into newly creative pieces. It's not just that you can come in at a problem from a different angle but you can now come at it from any angle. Really easily. Firing a rocket launcher while strapped to a parachute. Having just sent a fighter jet into the faces of your enemies. Sounds brilliant huh?
Score: 4 out of 5
http://evavhost.com/public/4.gif
The Good
Lots of missions this time and a world that's packed out with stuff to do.
The crazy mechanics have taken a big upgrade, especially the grappling hook, allowing immense player creativity.
Endless options and replayability.
A far more interesting island with great visual clarity.
The Bad
The driving mechanics suck, especially the sports-cars.
You've not got a compelling story. It just provides the excuses for insanity.
Almost as if they haven't realised their own games' replayability there is no mission selector.
The Ugly
You overwrite your auto-save whenever you load a game so you better complete the whole thing before messing around with your various save games.