Do you hear me GTAIV? Sequels are supposed to have MORE stuff than their predecessors. So how do you improve on an already huge game? MAKE IT BIGGER.
Of course, that's not really enough in reality. A larger game world means nothing if the gameplay isn't refined. So be happy to know; Avalanche games understood this, took everything that was wrong about their previous game, and completely overhauled the experience.
A Bit of Introduction to the Sandbox Genre...
Know what GTA plays like? Skip this paragraph altogether and move onto the next. For the rest of you; this game is an open world. Once you load the entire world (which doesn't take long, surprisingly), there isn't anything left between you and fun. Hosts of missions are spread out throughout the world, and you personally choose which order you want to take them in. Story missions progress the plot, while side missions normally result in gameplay enhancements like more health or better guns. Up to speed? Good, you may proceed.
So you thought San Andreas was big? THINK AGAIN.
Just Cause 2 features one of the largest game worlds ever created. Larger than San Andreas, Burnout Paradise, and Far Cry 2. The only two console games that dwarf it are Test Drive Unlimited and Fuel.
There are 600 locations in the map to discover, with plenty of things to collect and a lot to destroy. Unlike Mercenaries, Just Cause 2 only lets you destroy pre-scripted objects and wood, so you won't be decimating city buildings any time soon. However, don't let that set you back; there are more than enough destructible objects that you'll never get bored.
There are also a bunch of races, challenges, and stunts to pull off. So whether or not you're in the sky or on water, you'll be bound to find something to do.
But how does it play?
Just Cause 2 plays exactly like a Third Person shooter. There aren't any wimpy cover-systems here; you got guns, so shoot the heck out of enemies. The control scheme of this game is very similar to Saints Row 2, so those familiar with that game will feel at home. The thing you'll probably use the most is what I like to call the Hookshot. It's really just a Grappling Hook, but Hookshot is much easier to type. In the first game, you could only hook onto cars. Now, EVERYTHING is free for grappling. You can jack cars, get on top of buildings, and even "slingshot" yourself around when you open your parachute. The parachute is the second most used thing; using it in conjunction with the Hookshot can help you get to a destination faster than most vehicles in the game.
While learning to Slingshot is probably the most important part of the combination, the Hookshot itself can be used for combat. You can actually tether two objects together. So lets say you don't want to waste ammo, but a guard is attacking you. Tether him to a car using the Hookshot and drive away! He'll be dead in no time. You can also pull enemies off high places, or launch them toward you to juggle them with your firearms.
Note to those new to this game; be sure to cause a LOT of chaos. You get more money this way, and you'll need every bit of it. The weapons are PRICEY to say the least. You can carry one two handed weapon, and two sub weapons, along with grenades and C4. The two sub weapons can be used separately or dual wielded (I never get tired of the MP5K+Sawn-off Ranger combo). That said, the weapons are scarce in ammo, even after you upgrade them completely. As a result, you're gonna have to call the black market very often. While the cutscene that occurs when he arrives gets old, you can skip it; even though he can only drop one thing at a time, just call him right after and the game will skip the scenes automatically for you. This aspect of the game could have improved, but as it stands it's not too bad. In addition to the weapons, the black market can also drop vehicles and extract you to a location you've already visited as well.
The actual shooting is pretty well done for a third person shooter. You have a reticle, but a "sub" reticle will pop up showing which target the aim assist system will shoot toward. It's actually a lot better than what I've used in Crackdown or GTAIV, and the game does it automatically instead of you needing to hold a button down. Vehicle handling is a lot better than the first game (where most of the vehicles controlled like Ice Skates) and this is the first game where I have yet to complain about the Helicopter controls.
B-Movie status.
Remember all those war movies back in the day with corny one liners and unnatural voice acting? Well that's what you get here. The games' story mode pretty much resembles a B-Movie to the greatest degree, not unlike Earth Defense Force 2017. The main character, Rico Rodriguez, is Antonio Banderas meets James Bond. He meets some of the most cliche characters in gaming ever, along with their own bad voice acting.
In order to progress the story, you have to complete a certain amount of "Chaos", indicated by a points system. Side missions cause Chaos, Chaos unlocks story missions, Story missions unlock more side missions, etc. etc. It's actually not too bad of a system; there are always plenty of missions for you to do if you need more Chaos, and most of them are actually pretty varied (except the Stronghold missions, which are actually kind of boring). If you want, you could also 100% each of the 600 locations for extra Chaos.
The overall story isn't exactly great, but it does fit with the game very well.
Beautiful.
Most open world games look horrible; this one does not. This is as good as Far Cry 2 in terms of detail, and there's a lot of it. Rico's outfit even gets soaked in water or frosted in snow depending on the environment. It's very impressive, considering it's one of the largest environments to date. Motion blur REALLY helps keep this 30fps steady game look super smooth, and the draw distance is one of the farthest I've ever seen. It's impressive, and can stand its own next to games like Uncharted even though the game engine has to render an environment that is thousands of times bigger. Gun sounds are appropriately heavy, and and the background music, while scarce, is very original.
Environment - Large and full of things to do. Perfect environment for an open world game. 5/5.
Gameplay - Good ol' Third Person Shooter without a useless Cover system. Controls are spot-on. 5/5.
Story - A nice B-Movie vibe, but still nothing special. Story progression comes second to gameplay. 3/5.
Presentation - The absolute best graphics you'll find in an open world game of it's caliber. Rivals Uncharted 2. 5/5.
Overall - The best Open World game yet, tied with Saints Row 2 IMO. 4.5/5
