The original game’s hero, Rico Rodriguez, is back in Just Cause 2. Players take control of the adrenaline-junkie superspy as he attempts to liberate the gorgeous tropical island of Panau from a corrupt dictator known as Baby Panay. Rico’s got to mingle with the local factions, in order to get closer to Panay, which takes him down a road full of forged allegiances and interesting characters. The story itself is nothing original, but what makes it bearable is that it’s not supposed to be taken seriously. The voice acting outrageously bizarre and adds a humorous element to the game, which fits perfectly with the over-the-top action.

Just Cause 2 plays out as a third-person shooter, however things are a little different in the world of espionage, and especially the world of Just Cause. The ‘hook’ (lame) of the game is the grappling hook. It acts as a weapon and a means of transportation. The hook can be used to pull enemies, attach onto cars, and just about anything you can think of. The grappling hook also has the ability to tether any two objects together. This is where the fun begins, as the combinations that arise can range from the intelligent, to the absolutely ridiculous. Want to attach a speeding car to a wall? A truck to a helicopter? An enemy to an explosive gas canister? It can all be done, and what makes it such fun, is the great physics that allow for such strange concoctions. They’re not realistic by any means, but enhance the gameplay to such an extent that you don’t really care what makes sense and what doesn’t.

The other half of the equipment that makes Just Cause 2 so unique is the parachute. It can be used to base jump and save you from falls, but also as a offensive weapon by getting you to a better vantage point in gun fights, or leaping out of vehicles. Like the grappling hook, the parachute adds so much variety to the way you’ll approach scenarios in the game, and adds a great sense of pace and maneuverability to your actions.

These two mechanics in combination with the huge wealth of cars, bikes, helicopters, planes and boats, is exactly what makes Just Cause 2 shine. Players can leap from vehicle to vehicle with ease, and climb around the roof, front and back of cars and helicopters while fighting off the occupants and other pursuers. It gives Just Cause 2 that action-movie feel that so many games seem to miss.

While also having the ability to use the grappling hook as a whip-like melee attack, there are a wealth of weapons for Rico to get his hands on. Machineguns, pistols, shotguns, sniper rifles and practically any weapon can be bought from a blackmarket dealer who delivers via helicopter, and who can also extract you to certain locations on the level.

The missions are varied and although usually require you to blow-up/escort/kill something, they all feel a little different and give the player the feeling that they’re doing something unique each time around. Agency missions are the primary missions required to progress the story, however Chaos is needed in order to activate these missions. To acquire Chaos, players must complete faction missions, side missions, as well as just generally cause havoc around the island by blowing up enemy vehicles, bases and structures.

Just Cause was a very good looking game and the sequel doesn’t disappoint. The visuals are incredibly pleasing, and Panau has to be one of the most beautiful locations in a game to date. Everything from the beaches, to the forests, to the snowy mountains are all excellently detailed, and the entire size and scope of the level is jaw-dropping. The explosions (which play a big role) are some of the best around and highlight the game’s strongest point – it’s action.

Some unforgiving checkpoints may make those tougher missions a pain if you fail, but there are so many ways to play out the missions in Just Cause 2, it  gives you the opportunity to try something different. Just Cause 2 reminds us why we play video games in the first place, and this is definitely a just cause worth fighting for.

[starreviewmulti id=1 tpl=20]