Just Cause 2

Just Cause 2
Developer(s)	Avalanche Studios
Publisher(s)	Eidos Interactive/Time Warner
Designer(s)	Peter Johansson
Series	Just Cause
Engine	Avalanche 2.0
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release	Q3 2009
Genre(s)	Action
Mode(s)	Single-player

Just Cause 2 is a sandbox style action video game currently under development by Swedish developer Avalanche Studios and published by Eidos Interactive currently set for a release in 2009. It is the sequel to the 2006 video game Just Cause.

Just Cause 2 uses a new version of the Avalanche Engine, Avalanche Engine 2.0; an updated version of the engine used in Just Cause. The game will be set on the other side of the world, compared to Just Cause, on the fictional tropical island of Panau in Southeast Asia. Rico Rodriguez will return as the protagonist, who has to overthrow the evil dictator Baby Panay and confront his former boss, Tom Sheldon.

Gameplay

The gameplay is much similar to that of its predecessor, in which the player is free to roam the game world at will without having to focus on the game's storyline, much similar to that of other sandbox style action games, like the Grand Theft Auto series of video games.

Several new additions and improvements to the game were explained by the lead designer of the game, Peter Johansson. The AI has been rewritten for Just Cause 2. It now uses a planning system which enables enemies to do all sorts of new things. For example, the enemies will use the environment to their advantage, taking cover behind objects and adapting dynamically to the objects around them. The hybrid aiming system is also a new feature that helps the player to quickly aim at enemies while leaving the player in full control over the crosshair, as such, the player is rewarded for skillful manual aiming. It also enables you to pinpoint specific limbs manually and have varied crippling effects on the enemy. Just Cause 2 also has an adaptive difficulty system, gradually scaling the difficulty as the player does more in the game.

The game takes place on the fictional island of Panau, situated in the Malay Archipelago. It is geographically similar to both New Zealand and Hawaii.

There are several new weapons in Just Cause 2, such as a Rocket Launcher with laser-controlled rockets, a one-handed grenade launcher, a remote triggered C4, and a detachable mounted minigun. There are several new vehicles added in Just Cause 2, including a Jumbo Jet. There is now a greater difference in the handling of different vehicles. Ground surfaces now have a large influence on the player's controls, so while a sports car may be suitable for driving on a flat road, it is not particularly suitable for off-road driving. There is also a real-time deform system and moving parts that can come loose from vehicles.

The player must acquire weapons and vehicles in the field of their own accord as Rico doesn't have official support from the agency in this game.

Early in the game the player contacts a black market supplier, from whom you can buy weapons and vehicles and get them delivered to the player's location via heavy drop. As the game progresses, additional weapons and vehicles become available on the black market. Additionally, all weapons and vehicles on the black market have parameters that can be upgraded in several steps, by building upgrades with weapon and vehicle parts. There are over 2,000 parts that the player can acquire.

Development

Eidos originally announced a Christmas release date for Just Cause 2. However, on October 10, 2008, Eurogamer reported that Just Cause 2 was pushed back to 2009 for unknown reasons. However, Global Community Manager at Eidos Forums - Kier Edmonds - has stated that the game is on schedule for a late 2009 release. [1]

External links

• Official Press Release