Just Cause 2

Take yourself on an explosive adventure holiday of a life-time where the only limits are your own creativity.

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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

Reviews

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 18,300 reviews

story939 positive mentions

stability207 negative mentions

story
4,693 mentions
20 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The story of *Just Cause 2* is often described as simplistic and formulaic, revolving around protagonist Rico Rodriguez's mission to overthrow the dictator of the fictional island of Panau. While the narrative serves as a backdrop for the game's chaotic gameplay, many players find it lacking depth and coherence, with only seven main missions that can feel repetitive and uninspired. However, the game's focus on action and destruction, combined with a vast open world and numerous side missions, allows players to enjoy the experience without heavily investing in the story.
- “Throughout the 20 hours it took me to complete all faction and agency missions, I never got tired of the writing. The more I got to know the characters and the story, the more I realized that the seemingly simple plot of this game has more depth to it than it appears.”
- “The story follows the protagonist, Rico Rodriguez, as he works to overthrow a dictator on the fictional island of Panau. The characters and plot are somewhat formulaic but serve their purpose in driving the player forward.”
- “While the story is certainly a lesser part of the game, it still exists and is definitely worth playing through if it's your first time. The open world to story progression in this game is incredible, often with open world games I find myself either focusing solely on the story while hardly exploring or vice versa.”
- “The story is incredibly short and very underwhelming, there are a ton of race challenges which don't even belong in a game like this and are incredibly boring and pointless to play, plus the ubiquitous faction challenges which are all the same.”
- “The story is a joke and there are only 7 story missions, so it's all a huge sandbox of destruction.”
- “The story is threadbare, the missions are repetitive, and the difficulty ranges randomly from childishly easy to horrifically difficult.”
gameplay
1,554 mentions
44 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Just Cause 2" is widely praised for its unique mechanics, particularly the grappling hook and parachute, which allow for creative traversal and chaotic destruction in a vast open world. While the game offers engaging and explosive action, many players note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, with missions often feeling similar. Overall, the game is celebrated for its fun, sandbox-style gameplay that prioritizes freedom and mayhem over a compelling narrative.
- “The grappling hook and parachute mechanics, coupled with the vast open world, deliver an experience that remains unique and entertaining.”
- “The gameplay encapsulates the core ethos of 'senseless destruction', going around, blowing stuff up, shooting at random.”
- “The gameplay is about the finest example of the word 'chaos' ever.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
graphics
1,365 mentions
56 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of Just Cause 2, while showing their age compared to modern titles, are generally praised for their vibrant art style and expansive, diverse environments. Many players find the visuals impressive for a game released in 2010, highlighting the beautiful landscapes and dynamic weather effects, although some technical issues, such as crashes related to certain graphical settings, have been noted. Overall, the game's graphics contribute significantly to its enjoyment, despite some criticisms regarding character models and repetitive elements in the world design.
- “The graphics, while dated by today's standards, still have a certain charm and the game's overall design is a testament to the talent and creativity of the development team.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and the action is so satisfying!”
- “The graphics are impressive at times from the sunsets and sunrises to the beautiful nights, this game covers different environments including snow and desert and this really adds to the beautiful lighting you can see in the game.”
- “This game has aged really really really really badly, one of the blandest, emptiest, boring open worlds I've ever seen. Also, the controls are very clunky and you have to fiddle with certain graphics settings to stop it from crashing every 20 minutes.”
- “Graphically, this game has not aged well: the mediocre 2013 graphics require some remastering and it's too bad that mods are scarce and do not allow that.”
- “But...it's otherwise hampered by frustrating/boring mechanics and crashes non-stop on modern computers unless you turn off most of the advanced graphics settings.”
humor
392 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its over-the-top action, absurd situations, and intentionally cheesy voice acting, which many players find hilarious. The grappling hook mechanic leads to numerous comedic moments, while the game's chaotic physics and ridiculous storyline contribute to a lighthearted, fun experience. Despite some criticisms of the dialogue and repetitive elements, the overall consensus is that the game excels in providing a humorous and entertaining sandbox environment.
- “From the hilariously over-the-top villain to the quirky side characters, you'll enjoy every minute of their antics.”
- “The grappling hook is unique and allows you to attach it from one item/object/person/vehicle to another, which can cause hilarious and unfortunate events in whatever combinations you desire, as the physics engine allows you to manipulate said objects.”
- “The voice acting is hilarious, the plot is puddle-deep, yet I have a blast every time I play.”
- “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.”
stability
229 mentions
9 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that can significantly disrupt gameplay. While some users find the glitches amusing and part of the charm, many others express frustration over the game's inability to run smoothly, particularly on newer systems. Overall, the consensus is that while the game can be fun, its stability issues detract from the overall experience.
- “Runs great even on lower end hardware.”
- “From my experience it is basically bug free and the gameplay flows very well and seamlessly.”
- “Unlike JC3, the game runs great on all hardware and looks fantastic with the settings turned up as well.”
- “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.”
- “The game literally freezes the entire system upon exiting.”
optimization
123 mentions
49 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to run smoothly on lower-end hardware and others reporting frequent crashes and performance issues, particularly on more powerful systems. While many appreciate the game's graphics and overall performance, there are notable complaints about glitches, control inconsistencies, and the need for specific settings adjustments to avoid crashes. Overall, the game is seen as well-optimized for its time, but still suffers from significant technical problems that detract from the experience.
- “Performance 10/10: the game world is very large but despite that is very well optimized and can probably run on effectively anything as long as it's relatively new.”
- “Just Cause 2 is a very well optimized game; you can play it at a smooth 60 fps on an average PC of this generation.”
- “The game has a large modding community, is very well optimized, and is quite the looker considering the time it came out.”
- “Game is fun but is pretty poorly optimized and crashes often.”
- “Horrible optimization for modern hardware.”
- “Poorly optimized to the point that it's unplayable for me.”
grinding
123 mentions
2 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
84 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, with many players noting that achieving 100% completion requires significant time investment and can feel like a chore. While some enjoy the chaos and destruction that the game offers, the overwhelming number of collectibles and similar missions often detract from the overall experience, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, players recommend approaching the game in multiple sittings to mitigate the grind.
- “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, which you will have to do repeatedly if you want to buy multiple items, makes it frustrating. What's the point of having this huge open world if you can't even afford to make chaos with the tools of your choosing?”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Map has thousands of collectibles; yes, I'm not overreacting. So most of the time, from these 49 hours, I was grinding collectibles for 75% completion of the game so I could get the last achievement.”
- “Fun game, lots to do, but the endgame achievements are very grindy and not fun.”
- “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.”
music
122 mentions
34 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere during high-stakes moments and exploration, while others find it generic and repetitive. Many players appreciate the relaxing and fitting soundtracks that complement the game's visuals, but some suggest that the lack of licensed music and memorable tracks detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the music is seen as adequate but not exceptional, often serving as background noise rather than a standout feature.
- “Beautiful slow music that will get into your head.”
- “The music is perfect for high stakes, high reward situations, with perfect tracks for high-speed chases, helicopter battles, and even gunfights.”
- “The shooting and dangerous situations are emphasized by the awesome soundtrack that really adds to the ambience.”
- “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.”
- “Music could be much better in this game; it becomes so repetitive and annoying to the point that I just turned off the music.”
- “Where the game falters is the music, missions, and plot, but everything else is really impressive.”
replayability
87 mentions
40 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is highly regarded, with many players praising the extensive content, user-created mods, and the freedom to explore various gameplay styles. While some reviews note that the game can become repetitive and lacks high replay value in certain aspects, the majority highlight its potential for endless fun and exploration, making it a solid choice for those seeking a game with significant replayability.
- “The availability of mods enhances the replayability, allowing players to tailor their experience and extend the longevity of the game.”
- “Fantastic gameplay and great replayability keep this as the best one in the series.”
- “Endless fun and replayability with relatively new multiplayer allows for a solid game to be enjoyed.”
- “It doesn't have replayability, but I'm glad I'm playing it/played it.”
- “Not much in terms of replayability, as the game is entirely linear.”
- “There isn't very much replayability once you've completed every settlement to 100%.”
emotional
35 mentions
74 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
26 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is largely characterized by a lack of depth in storytelling, with many players noting the narrative as boring and unengaging. While some express moments of joy or nostalgia from the gameplay mechanics, the overall experience is described as one of mindless fun rather than emotional investment, with players often preferring to focus on chaotic gameplay rather than any emotional connections to the story or characters.
- “I cried.”
- “Emotional rollercoaster.”
- “The black guy in the helicopter died in the beginning and I had to pause the game and cry for a few minutes because I was emotionally attached to him.”
- “Empty world, boring story, nice mechanics but it doesn't matter really.”
- “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
25 mentions
40 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals and diverse environments, including snow, deserts, and urban landscapes, which create an engaging open-world experience. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in the soundtrack and story, the overall aesthetic and immersive qualities, such as lighting and map design, contribute to a unique and enjoyable atmosphere. However, a few reviews note that the game falls short in terms of narrative and voice acting, slightly detracting from the overall immersion.
- “The story is nothing groundbreaking or amazing, but really you are buying this game for the engaging gameplay and atmospheric environments: snow, desert, tropical, and urban landscapes to explore if you like the idea that the game is set in a Southeast Asian environment.”
- “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.”
- “Nice graphics and animations, a diverse game world, and an interesting atmosphere establish an enjoyable explorative experience.”
- “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
17 mentions
24 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally viewed as minimal and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that the focus is primarily on action rather than storytelling. While some appreciate the character designs, particularly that of Rico Rodriguez, they often feel that the characters lack personality and memorable traits. Overall, the game is not intended for players seeking a rich narrative or significant character growth, as it prioritizes chaotic gameplay over plot and character development.
- “The character designs are also well-done, with Rico Rodriguez being a particularly memorable and distinctive character.”
- “A superb game with a riveting plot and fantastic character development!”
- “Factions gain influence based on character development.”
- “The main missions are fun although if you are looking for a deep storyline with thick plots and character development, I think it is obvious that this game isn't what you're looking for.”
- “This isn't a game about plot/story/character development, it's about pure havoc.”
- “From the perspective of a solid narrative with attention to character development, plot, and dialogue, this game is complete and utter garbage.”
monetization
10 mentions
10 % positive mentions
10 % neutral mentions
80 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its lack of microtransactions and intrusive ads, offering a straightforward experience without the clutter often found in modern titles. Players appreciate the absence of gimmicks and the focus on gameplay, although some express frustration with control schemes and occasional crashes. Overall, the game is seen as a refreshing departure from contemporary monetization practices.
- “No gimmick, no microtransactions, and no nonsense; Just Cause 2 is a game packed to the brim with content and endless activities.”
- “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 post-humously censored.”
- “I never understood why so much hype and advertisement with the GTA series; I mean... okay, we all like it and it's a very good game, but... have you ever tried this one?”