Just Cause 3 is out this week and there are several reasons why I am excited about Avalanche Studios’ latest project, but for you (and only you), I will shave it down to five. Speaking of five, it’s been five long years since the well-received Just Cause 2 arrived on the scene, so needless to say, the third installment in the franchise is long overdue. From everything I have seen thus far, with the exception of some early bug and framerate issues surfacing over the past few days, Just Cause 3 is looking like pure unadulterated mayhem on a massive scale. Sure it’s not going to be perfect, and has some stiff competition this holiday season, but Just Cause 3 is shaping into one of those mindless holiday games that is all about having fun by blowing shit up! Without further delay here are five reasons you should be pumped for Just Cause 3’s release on the PS4 and Xbox One this week.
Size of the Map
Just Cause 3 will feature a 400 square mile map. Think about that for a second. I don’t even drive 400 miles in a year! That is an insanely massive map. In comparison, GTA V’s map was less than 100 square miles (not an official number, just based on my half-assed attempt at research) and many were impressed with the size of that game. With Just Cause 3 all about blasting things to smithereens, a 400 square mile (above and below ground) area to cause mass destruction sounds amazing. Will other parts of the game suffer because of the sheer size of the game? Maybe, but only time will tell.
The Wingsuit
Rico Rodriguez’ (the games main character) Wingsuit is a big part of the Just Cause 3 experience. Being able to zip around at lightning fast speeds in a fully equipped Winsuit has me giddy like Ralphy when he scored his Red Rider BB gun. There is no question the controls of the Wingsuit could be an issue though. At E3 this year many expressed concern over the suits controls and its learning curve. Regardless, when you factor in the vibrant look of the game and that freedom you get flinging around in the air in one of those bad boys, learning all the ins and outs of the Wingsuit is looking like time well spent.
Unprecedented Level of Destructibility
You’re not going to pick up Just Cause 3 for its storyline, character development or dialogue. You buy this game because you want some mindless, high impact carnage. The amount of objects you can demolish in the game will be unprecedented from everything we have seen thus far. In all likelihood, Just Cause 3 won’t limit us on all the possibilities. Massive scope and massive explosions – that is what I want. Setting a gas station ablaze and watching it trigger a catastrophic chain of events is going to be so satisfying, isn’t it? In Just Cause 3 you will have an arsenal of options at your disposal which can create some eye-popping fireworks.
It’s Gorgeous
From all the gameplay trailers and videos I have seen thus far, Just Cause 3 looks stunning. It is colouful and vibrant. The environments look incredibly detailed and the character animations aren’t too shabby either. The explosions, however, look amazing. The smoke and plume effects look incredibly life like. Okay it’s not like I have seen enemies tied to barrels explode in the air in real life but you get the point, Avalanche Studios seem to have nailed down this aspect of the game. Sure the game might get hammered from reviewers for its framerate issues and bugs, but it won’t be getting panned for its visuals. I am pretty confident in that.
New and Improved Grappling Hook
All reports surfacing thus far indicate the grappling hook has been improved, significantly. The hook can be used to travel swiftly on the ground or to the top of a building or mountain top. You can grapple from your parachute and wingsuit as well. It doesn’t stop there. The hook can also be used to snag the enemy and attach them to any nearby objects, including exploding barrels. Attach an enemy, blasts a few shots into the barrel and KABOOM! I can’t wait to play out that scenario this week.