Just Cause 2

About

Just Cause 2 is an adrenaline-fueled free-roaming adventure where you play as agent Rico Rodriguez, tasked with causing chaos on the island of Panau to shift the balance of power. Utilize the unique grapple and parachute combo to create your own high-speed stunts, explore 400 square miles of rugged terrain, and access hundreds of weapons and vehicles. Experience vertical gameplay and unbelievable stunts with the unique parachute and grapple abilities.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+14

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 23,873 reviews

story1.2k positive mentions

stability267 negative mentions

story
6,113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
67%
13%
The story in "Just Cause 2" is often described as shallow and forgettable, serving primarily as a backdrop for the game's chaotic action and destruction. Players note that while there are only seven main story missions, the gameplay focuses on causing chaos to unlock these missions, leading to repetitive side quests that can feel tedious. Despite its lack of depth, the game's over-the-top narrative and campy dialogue add a humorous charm, making it enjoyable for those who prioritize gameplay over storytelling.
- “The story is a decent parody of over-the-top action films.”
- “The story may not leave you with a memory that will last for years to come, but the universe created around this game surely will, as each area of the island has a particular look and there are plenty of activities to satisfy your needs.”
- “The story is intentionally cheesy so if that's your kind of thing, then this game is for you.”
- “The story is painfully generic, boring, and forgettable.”
- “The story is short and lacks depth, with only 7 main missions that feel like an afterthought.”
- “The missions are repetitive and uninspired, leaving players feeling bored and unengaged.”
gameplay
2,035 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
48%
7%
The gameplay of "Just Cause 2" is widely praised for its chaotic and explosive open-world mechanics, particularly the innovative grappling hook and parachute systems that allow for creative traversal and dynamic combat. While the game offers a vast environment filled with opportunities for destruction and exploration, many players note that the missions can become repetitive over time, and the overall mechanics may feel clunky or dated compared to more modern titles. Despite these criticisms, the sheer fun and freedom of gameplay keep players engaged, making it a beloved classic in the sandbox genre.
- “Just Cause 2 is an absolute thrill ride that delivers some of the most chaotic and explosive open-world gameplay ever created.”
- “The game’s mechanics allow for a perfect blend of vehicular mayhem, high-flying acrobatics, and gunplay.”
- “The grappling hook and parachute mechanics allow for creative traversal and dynamic combat encounters.”
- “The gameplay is very dated at this point, and while the world is large, unfortunately it is extremely repetitive and very sparse even in the 'populated' parts.”
- “The gameplay loop is very repetitive but it is engaging enough to keep one entertained for a while.”
- “The gameplay becomes very repetitive after a short time and Rico has no mechanism other than one.”
graphics
1,827 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
39%
4%
The graphics of "Just Cause 2" are generally praised for their impressive quality, especially considering the game's 2010 release date. Many players note that the visuals still hold up well today, showcasing vibrant environments and detailed landscapes, although some mention that certain graphical settings can lead to crashes on modern hardware. Overall, while the graphics may not match the standards of newer titles, they are often described as beautiful and engaging, contributing to the game's chaotic and fun gameplay experience.
- “The graphics may not be cutting-edge by today’s standards, but the world still looks great, especially when you’re diving through the skies or engaging in large-scale battles.”
- “Despite being a 14-year-old game, the graphics still hold up pretty decently, and the chaotic action theme of this game is sure to get the adrenaline pumping.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the open world scenery is stunning, and the variety of vehicles you can drive and fly is outstanding.”
- “The graphics, while showing their age in the character models and some of the ragdoll physics, can still shine on all sorts of systems.”
- “This game has aged really badly; one of the blandest, emptiest, boring open worlds I've ever seen. The graphics are very bad.”
- “The game's graphics are also subpar, with textures that look muddy and poorly rendered.”
humor
529 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is characterized by its over-the-top action, absurd situations, and intentionally cheesy voice acting, which many players find endearing and hilarious. Players enjoy the chaotic gameplay, where the grappling hook and physics engine lead to unexpected and funny moments, often enhanced by glitches that add to the comedic experience. While some criticize the story and dialogue for being cliché or poorly written, the overall tone is light-hearted and encourages players to embrace the silliness and mayhem.
- “Grapple, parachute, and explode your way through a hilariously chaotic world where the only rule is to have fun.”
- “From the hilariously over-the-top villain to the quirky side characters, you'll enjoy every minute of their antics.”
- “The physics can be hilarious, the variety of vehicles and weapons is amazing, and the 'replayability' is definitely something that will keep you entertained for hours and hours.”
- “It's not funny; the story and the dialogue are boring.”
- “I guess the devs just said, 'Hey, forget immersion, let's make an unfunny Saints Row IV.'”
- “You play as some unfunny one-liner bland generic agent man who goes around blowing things up; that is literally the entire game. Not that that is a bad thing in games, but it is in this one since everything is just a copy/paste from start to end, and the only way to progress this terrible story to finish the damn thing is to be forced to go around blowing more pointless crap up.”
stability
294 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
91%
The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, visual glitches, and game-breaking bugs that hinder gameplay. While some players find the glitches amusing and part of the charm, many others express frustration over the game's instability, particularly on newer systems. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," requiring significant troubleshooting to achieve a playable experience.
- “Runs great even on lower end hardware.”
- “From my experience it is basically bug free and the gameplay flows very well and seamlessly.”
- “It's also a great PC port that years later is still one of the better looking titles around, and it runs great on modern machines.”
- “The only big issue I have is the amount of glitches.”
- “After about 8 crashes, between 3 to 10 minutes of play time each, I inevitably encounter a shotgunner and the game lags, freezes, then auto quits to desktop.”
- “This game is so buggy you'd think Bethesda made it.”
optimization
179 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
30%
15%
The optimization of the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to run smoothly on a variety of hardware, including older systems, while others report significant performance issues such as crashes and stuttering. Overall, it is noted for its good graphics and performance, especially considering its age, but some players experience technical glitches that detract from the experience. Despite these inconsistencies, many agree that the game is generally well-optimized for its time, allowing for enjoyable gameplay without major interruptions.
- “The performance is smooth, even in the most chaotic moments.”
- “The game boasts a rich modding community, excellent optimization, and runs smoothly without freezes.”
- “Just Cause 2 is a beautiful, fun, and surprisingly well-optimized rampage through a massive world that easily puts even MMORPGs to shame.”
- “Game is fun but is pretty poorly optimized and crashes often.”
- “Poorly optimized to the point that it's unplayable for me.”
- “Sadly this game is so poorly optimized that I will never play it, I got it early and as of this review (a few years later) I can still not play it without stuttering and crashes.”
music
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
64%
5%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the dynamic soundtrack that enhances the action and exploration, while others find it generic and forgettable. Many users suggest that the music can become repetitive, and some recommend playing their own tracks for a more enjoyable experience. Overall, while the sound design is noted as solid, the soundtrack itself is often seen as lacking in variety and memorability.
- “The sound design complements the action, with a dynamic soundtrack, realistic sound effects, and voice acting that, while sometimes cheesy, fits the game’s tone perfectly.”
- “Whether it's the pulse-pounding beats of combat or the serene ambiance of exploration, the music sets the tone for each moment, heightening the excitement and immersion.”
- “The soundtrack is hugely underrated, but really strong and energizing, while the voice acting is one of the cheesiest since the original Resident Evil.”
- “The music is the weakest part of this game.”
- “Music could be much better in this game; it becomes so repetitive and annoying to the point where I just turned off the music.”
- “The music of Just Cause 2 does not stand out at all - it is pretty generic and cheesy, tries to capture the feel of old Hollywood action movies but fails to be anything other than background noise.”
grinding
152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
14%
85%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players noting that completing side missions and collecting items can feel like a chore. While some find enjoyment in the chaos and destruction mechanics, the overwhelming amount of grind required for 100% completion often detracts from the overall experience, leading to a sense of boredom and frustration. Overall, players recommend the game for its fun elements but caution against the extensive grinding needed to fully enjoy it.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Incredibly tedious; I would love to like this game, but I just can't. The fact that a gun costs around 100k, which requires you to do like 2 missions to afford, and then you need to call in a helicopter to purchase anything, is frustrating. You'll have to do this repeatedly if you want to buy multiple items. What's the point of having this huge open world if you can't afford to create chaos with the tools of your choosing? I can understand more powerful weapons costing more, but this is just the starter stuff.”
- “The main mission lasts over 10-15 hours, and it’s filled with repetitive, outdated tasks like blowing stuff up and tedious escort missions.”
- “It's repetitive, mundane, and tedious to complete, so I don't recommend it unless you're willing to go through the struggle.”
- “Somewhere around the 50-75% mark, you'll realize that you're liberating functionally-identical towns by the same methods over and over, and collecting identical collectibles, and it's getting tedious.”
replayability
114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
54%
4%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its vast open world, freedom of exploration, and the potential for endless fun, especially with mods and multiplayer options. However, some reviews note a lack of replay value due to linear gameplay and repetitive elements, suggesting that while it can provide many hours of entertainment, it may not hold long-term appeal for everyone. Overall, the game offers significant replayability for those who enjoy sandbox experiences and community-created content.
- “This level of freedom is a major draw of the game, encouraging experimentation and replayability.”
- “The availability of mods enhances the replayability, allowing players to tailor their experience and extend the longevity of the game.”
- “The world is huge, the missions are fun, and the replay value is outstanding.”
- “There's no replay value and you're only required to play this game on higher difficulty, but you'd best try this game on lower difficulty first as it can be rather difficult.”
- “Not much in terms of replayability, as the game is entirely linear.”
- “The replay value is there but it's not a game you will be playing for hundreds of hours; yet, there is enough content here to last you over one hundred hours, but it just gets kind of repetitive.”
emotional
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players found moments that elicited strong feelings, such as tears during specific scenes, many criticized the overall narrative as shallow and lacking depth. The gameplay is often described as fun and chaotic, providing an enjoyable experience without significant emotional investment, making it more of a mindless sandbox than a story-driven journey. Overall, players seeking emotional engagement may be disappointed, as the game prioritizes explosive action over a compelling storyline.
- “That part truly made me shed a tear.”
- “And especially at 6:34, that part was just so truly heart touching; words cannot describe the series of emotions I felt.”
- “It is a tragedy that this, it can't be called a film, but a transcendent emotional experience, will be inaccessible for most.”
- “The game turned out to be repetitive, with a boring storyline and little to no actual content - most of the game just relies on the player deciding to do things (blowing things up, mostly) instead of offering it to him.”
- “Only real negative is the boring story, but who gives a shit about story when you have a tether gun?”
- “Boring story and characters.”
atmosphere
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
47%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, diverse environments, and immersive sound design, creating a captivating open-world experience. Players appreciate the serene lighting and the engaging exploration of various landscapes, although some critique the soundtrack as generic and lacking in impact. Overall, the game's aesthetic and atmospheric elements significantly enhance the gameplay, making it a standout in the genre despite some narrative shortcomings.
- “The atmosphere is amazing.”
- “One of the best open world games ever, mainly due to the stunning atmosphere of the map combined with a great soundtrack and sound effects.”
- “Absolutely recommend this game to people who love open world games with beautiful nature sights and atmosphere.”
- “The music of Just Cause 2 does not stand out at all - it is pretty generic and cheesy, tries to capture the feel of old Hollywood action movies but fails to be anything other than background noise. The soundtrack never adds any atmosphere or anything to the game.”
- “No atmosphere or immersion at all.”
- “Verdict: great fun though somewhat lacking in interesting storytelling, atmosphere, or voice acting.”
character development
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
50%
28%
Character development in "Just Cause 2" is widely criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that the game prioritizes action over narrative. While the character designs, particularly that of Rico Rodriguez, are acknowledged as memorable, the overall storytelling is described as weak and repetitive, failing to engage players on a deeper level. Ultimately, the game is seen as an experience focused on chaos and fun rather than rich character arcs or a compelling plot.
- “The character designs are also well-done, with Rico Rodriguez being a particularly memorable and distinctive character.”
- “Factions gain influence based on character development.”
- “A superb game with a riveting plot and fantastic character development!”
- “Weak storytelling and character development: while the action is a highlight, 'Just Cause 2' suffers from a lackluster narrative.”
- “The story is not fluid, no character development, and it is just so damn repetitive.”
- “From the perspective of a solid narrative with attention to character development, plot, and dialogue, this game is complete and utter garbage.”
monetization
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
8%
77%
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and additional monetization gimmicks, particularly in the multiplayer mode, which is free to play. However, there are frustrations regarding misleading advertising related to game censorship, which has led to feelings of being tricked by the company. Overall, the focus remains on the gameplay experience rather than monetization tactics.
- “No gimmick, no microtransactions and no bull***, just Cause 2 is a game pumped to the brim with steroids layered with bazillions of things to do.”
- “Did I mention that the multiplayer is free and completely without microtransactions?”
- “Your willingness to censor your games, while advertising that the games are uncensored is vile.”
- “If you have purchased a game from this company in which you were tricked by the advertising into purchasing which was posthumously censored.”
- “And of course I won't point fingers or blame anyone, because everyone is free to play whatever they like, but I think it's a bit embarrassing and frustrating when this game comes up and ranks up the list after searching for games similar to the GTA series and especially from fans of the JC2 game itself advertising and pushing people to buy this.”