Review: Just Cause - Xbox 360

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Just Cause lets its imagination run wild with stylish and colourful graphics reminiscent of the Grand Theft Auto series. We’re truly in the era of next-gen gaming and the developer, Avalanche Studios have put some of the larger developers to shame with some startling scenery. The trees and greenery shimmer in the light and sway in the wind, as day turns to night shadows are cast from the mountains that encompass the island and clouds dreamily drift by. The dynamic weather system isn’t pre-set and the climate can change from rainfall to bright sunshine at any moment, although day does turn to night in a half an hour life-cycle. The details and superb graphical quality isn’t just restricted to the scenery. Each vehicle, each ramshackle hut and building and every droplet of water in the sea is accurately re-created, it almost feels as though you’re on a tropical holiday that could quite literally never end.

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Just Cause allows you to play the game at your own pace. Exploring the island is a game in itself, and the abundance of missions and objectives ensures that there is always something to do. The sheer scale of the game is unmatched, but there are so many ways to tackle each individual objective that the action always remains fresh.

Just Cause has the replay factor, oozes style and has a whole range of cool things to get involved in. Whether you want to join the local parasailing club for some leisurely water bound activities or take on a few dozen guerrillas in a frantic fire fight, it’s a game that's dared to experiment with the genre and has made a damn fine job of it.

Pros
Tons of exciting missions
Beautifully designed
Play at your own pace
Stunt mode adds a new dimension

Cons
Some dodgy A.I.
Some land vehicles don't handle too well
So much to do it can be disorientating
Map loading times are too long

Beautifully crafted game, some issues that can irritate, but best value for money since Oblivion.

HEXUS Awards

Just Cause - Xbox 360

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I'm quite suprised at your verdict on that to be honest, played the demo and thought it was mediocre at best. I honestly couldn't see the “next gen” in it, it just seemed like another port with slightly better graphics too me.

Still think I'm going to give it a miss……

Tom Scott;870966
I'm quite suprised at your verdict on that to be honest, played the demo and thought it was mediocre at best. I honestly couldn't see the “next gen” in it, it just seemed like another port with slightly better graphics too me.

Still think I'm going to give it a miss……

I understand where you're coming from. I wasn't too impressed with the demo, but once I had a good nose around and got involved in some great missions I've really started to enjoy it.

I think it's great value for money considering everything you can do and the variety.

I don't enjoy driving in Just Cause, if you've played Saint's Row the driving is so much better than this game. The A.I. is a bit hit and miss in battles and the major downside is wondering what to do next, I can understand some people will probably feel lost in the game, but overall, for fans of free roaming games, it's the best current game out there by a long shot.

Was the grappling hook in the demo? I don't think I unlocked it…but it does change the game once you have it and learn to use it properly.

I think they'll be a mixture of people who'll think it's fantastic and those who'll be bored with it.

We don't give ratings at the moment but if I was I'd give it 7.5/10, I've given it the recommended logo because I think it's one of the best games for the Xbox 360 out there, even with its faults, but I can understand that some people won't like it.