Just Cause 2: Could There be a Better Sandbox Game?

Kubinator

April 19, 2010

Could there be a better sandbox game than Just Cause 2? In the long run-yes! For now, Just Cause 2 has filled the gaming void that so many of us were longing for after last year's Saints Row 2 and GTA IV. I never had the chance to play the first game so I wasn't certain what to expect when I first learned of Just Cause 2. But, I know my eyes lit up when I saw the trailers and game play videos and the gaming part of my brain screamed when I heard the terms sandbox, open world and big explosions. The grappling hook alone sold me; the thought of what I could do with it occupied my brain for several weeks before I actually played the game. Who knew such a simple tool would also serve as a weapon and a form of transportation?

Since last years' Saints Row 2 and GTA IV, I'm been searching for a game to scratch the free roaming sandbox itch. Unfortunately, while Just Cause 2 feeds my hunger for free roaming, the game is lacking in some areas. If, as a gamer, you like lots of side missions and a limited story, then Just Cause 2 is for you. However, I miss the customization of Saints Row 2 and the destructible environments and multiplayer of Red Faction Guerrilla. Just Cause 2 could have used multiplayer--car and airplane races, player-on-player death match, or something that would allow me to grapple with my friends' airplanes and watch them crash. It would also be nice to customize my weapons and cars. Because of the lack of customization, Just Cause 2 falls somewhere between being a rental and I-just-gotta-own-it.

One of my pet peeves is the lack of depth to the story. Outside of the story, there are endless side missions just like in any other sandbox game for different factions. No matter what side I chose in the game, the outcome did not seem to matter in the long run. Story missions compose of: go here, fetch, or kill a certain person, or just destroy something. But if gamers want to progress in the game, destruction is the way to go, since it unlocks more missions and upgrades for Rico.

The wild and wacky physics of Panau (the island gamers are trapped on) make the game fun--to a point. Rico appears to be lighter than gravity, so doing wild stunts is a blast as players try to dodge enemy fire. During most of the races, I found the physics working against me. Controlling the vehicles or base jumping was an irritating challenge. I miss the vehicle handling in GTA IV and Saints Row 2. Speaking of vehicles, getting around the island should be left to the grappling hook-parachute combo.

.The game looks and sounds like it belongs in this of generation of games. In the end, what makes this game worthwhile? Well, as of two weeks ago I was 20% of the way through the game and I had sunk 15 hours into it. Therein lies the problem: the game is long [Ed. Note: in this day and age of 5 hour campaigns, a long game is by no means a problem, at least not to me]. By the end, I had sunk 40+ hours into the game trying to do everything. This is a great concept to stretch the almighty gaming dollar and I applaud the game developer. But if gamers can quickly finish the story missions in JC2, will there be enough of a fun factor to keep gamers interested or will JC2 be set aside, forgotten on a shelf gathering dust as gamers move on to the next new game? For me it's like when I really wanted to go back and complete GTA IV, but I couldn't will myself to attempt some of the side missions again.

Still, Just Cause 2 has miles and miles of land for the interested gamer to explore. Lush jungles, snow-capped mountains--and before gamers know it--Rico is swimming toward some sandy beaches with guns blazing. In the end JC2 is a must-have game for fans. It may not be a $60 game but it is a $40 game. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.