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The best weapon in 'Just Cause 4' is Mother Nature
Just Cause 4 arrives at the end of a busy season of open world games. Fortunately, the series has always done things differently from the likes of Assassin's Creed, Read Dead Redemption, Far Cry and the rest. It's the game that coaxes you into causing destruction and explosions, offering a shamelessly hard-boiled physics playground for you cut loose inside. During a lengthy playtime session last week with what appears to be very close to the final game, Just Cause 4 begs to be live-streamed, clipped and shared on Twitch, Twitter, Reddit, Discord and everywhere else.
'Just Cause 4' parachutes in December 4th
Square Enix brought more than just Kingdom Hearts to Microsoft's pre-E3 2018 press conference -- there's also Just Cause 4. Rico is back, once again parachuting into some disastrous warzone with both guns and attitude in tow. The quick trailer showed off some new-gen powered gameplay with plenty of driving, shooting, explosions and impressive weather effects as our hero plunged directly into a tornado. The game is scheduled for release December 4th on Xbox One, PS4 and PC, so at least that's one title we won't be waiting until Q1 2019 for. While a gameplay trailer showed off Just Cause 4 at the event, you should look below for the "Welcome to Just Cause 4" video that goes in-depth with developers from Avalanche Studios (which is also behind the 80s-themed robot shooter Generation Zero) explaining what's new this time around. This time the game takes place on the home turf of a group that has been featured in previous games called The Black Hand. There will be four separate biomes included, and the concept of a "force of nature" plays a massive role. Rico's grapple hook is, of course, included, but there are even more physics-based tricks for players to mess around with this time.
Playdate: We're playing with fire in 'Just Cause 3'
It's really hard to not smile when you're causing massive amounts of mayhem in a video game, and what I've played of Just Cause 3 so far has me grinning ear to ear. Now it's time to share that joy with you, our lovely Playdate viewers on Twitch. Join myself and Jessica Conditt as we explore the game's lush Mediterranean island in the sun starting at 6 PM Eastern / 3 PM Pacific as we broadcast two hours full of good-natured mayhem and destruction either here on this post, the Engadget Gaming homepage, or, if you want to chat along, Twitch.tv/Joystiq.
Some Just Cause 2 details, just 'cause
PSW magazine has the revolutionary skinny on the sequel to the stylish -- but ultimately blah -- Just Cause. Rico Rodriguez is now ready to overthrow the government in the South East Asian country of Panau and developer Avalanche is using a new engine for Just Cause 2, which will focus more on exploration and experimentation than the original according to the developer. The original Just Cause benefitted from a huge world, tropical setting (green and blue is so much better than modern gaming's brown obsession), and the stunts Rico could perform -- it failed on almost every other level. The game's lead designer Peter Johansson says the sequel will enhance the stunts and improve combat. As long as Avalanche takes the time to polish Just Cause this time around it might make for a great alternative to every other sandbox game's gritty urban settings -- well, almost every other sandbox game.
Low install base to blame for no Eidos titles?
Eidos is, of course, referring to itself in the subject line. See, most of their PS3 titles aren't planned for release until 2008. That sucks. Why? They blame the low install base of the new console. Eidos may have new Tomb Raider, Hitman, and a possible Just Cause sequel in the works for the mid-2008 fiscal period.Eidos CEO Jane Cavanagh made these comments: "We believe that PlayStation 3 will be a successful platform, and are developing technology and products for this console...However, as we do not believe that the installed base will be high enough until the second half of our 2008 financial year, most of our major product releases on the PlayStation 3 platform are not scheduled before that date."To me, this says that Eidos doesn't have much faith in its games. They don't think they'll sell well, or they don't think they'll be nearly enough to move systems. Granted, they shouldn't think too highly of themselves, but no game developer should be complacent enough to make games that are "just okay". They need to work on something that will move systems! Something every dev should strive for! Revolution! ...Or, you know, get pumped up and stuff.
Sequels! Eidos announces more Tomb Raider, Hitman, Just Cause
Rest easy, there will be more Tomb Raider, more Hitman, and another Just Cause. And just 'cause, Eidos has also confirmed that a new edition of its perennial footie sim Championship Manager will hit the pitch for (at least) one more go'round. Although development is currently underway for the follow-up foursome, release dates have yet to be issued. The expected sequels will be joined by Kane & Lynch and Crossfire, new IPs (they still bother with those?), along with Battlestations: Midway, which is due out next month.
Eidos announces 4 franchise sequels for 360
Eidos Interactive announced new gen sequels are currently under development for 4 of its franchises. Titles include Championship Manager, Hitman, Tomb Raider and Just Cause, which had its sequel announced in October. These games are expected to be released on both the Xbox 360 and the PS3, though specifics as to when are still vague. Eidos stated that they are "assessing" the proper time for release, mentioning the equally vague "Spring 2007" European launch of the PS3. On top of the sequels, Eidos still has new IPs in the works as well, namely Crossfire and Kane and Lynch: Dead Men. So in light of this, which of these would you anticipate the most? Tomb Raider: Legend and Hitman: Blood Money were quite enjoyable on the 360. [Via QJ.net]
Just Cause sequel on the way
Swedish gaming rag Kong reports (via GameSpot) that the relative success of Just Cause in the UK has inspired Avalanche Studios CEO Christofer Sundberg to announce a sequel. This time the open-world game will remain exclusive to next-gen platforms while ditching the tropical theme for a "VERY large city environment." Are you thrilled by this news, or just curious to see how they improve a flawed, but reasonably entertaining, product?
Metareview - Just Cause (Xbox 360)
Just Cause was a hit at E3. People were talking, and as Saint's Row was being written off as a shallow GTA-clone, Just Cause was said to be blazing new trails for the sandbox genre. Well, it's here now -- and it's a bore. Good idea. Poor execution. Game Informer (73/100) credits Avalanche's attempts to "try a few new things," but noble efforts don't always amount to a memorable game. [Oct. 2006, p.93] GameSpy (60/100) believes Saint's Row is the better choice for sandboxing on Xbox 360. (We agree). Eurogamer (60/100) coins the term: "poor man's Mercenaries" ... which sums Just Cause up well. Also available on: PlayStation 2 / Xbox / PC
BIH content, 9/26: Lego Star Wars edition
Another day, another batch of BIH content. See what we did there? BIH. See, it's an acronym for Bringing It Home. Pretty sweet, huh? Anywho, here's the almighty list for today: Forza 2 Physics & Damage trailer NBA 2K7 trailer Sonic The Hedgehog trailer Shrek 3 trailer Just Cause trailer NHL 2K7 trailer The Darkness trailer LEGO Star Wars II demo(!) A potent list indeed, capable of discombobulating even those of the strongest constitutions. The real winner here is of course the demo of the UK's recent chart topper, LEGO Star Wars II. On a more peculiar note, wasn't there a trailer for The Darkness up yesterday? Is this one different? We'll be back shortly with our thoughts on the LSWII demo. We're sure you're waiting with bated breath.
Don't forget your Just Cause
Poker is fun and all, but who could resist the tropical action of Just Cause. In case you've forgotten (and who could blame you? That news is, like, ten days old), the Just Cause demo is scheduled to hit Marketplace today. So, go get it and live out your fantasies of becoming the Latin version of Brock Samson. We know you want to. Grab that demo and tell us what you think. And then explain to us why you're not at work.
Reminder: Just Cause demo available tomorrow
As reported earlier, the upcoming free-roamer Just Cause will be ready for download on the 360 and PC tomorrow at 6 a.m. Pacific. Shipping on Sept. 27, gamers will be able to get a month-long head start into familiarizing themselves with the title's unique stunt technique gameplay. While the game itself is a massive 250,000 acres, the demo will take place on an island one twentieth the size of that. According to Eidos, you will be able "to liberate a village, assassinate some political leaders, and explore the beautiful island of San Esperito at top speed on a vehicle of your choice."
Just Cause demo coming Aug. 24
PC and Xbox 360 owners will be able to get their hands on a demo of the revolution-themed Just Cause starting Aug. 24. Rather than just another open-world GTA clone, Just Cause is more like GTA pumped up on steroids and injected with deep political meaning. We played this game about a month ago and were impressed with its massive size (250,000 acres and over 300 missions) and stunt techniques. We'll see if the demo can capture that same sense of scope the devs are hoping to achieve. [Via Evil Avatar]
Grab the Just Cause demo on August 24th
These days, it seems like announcing a demo is almost as important as announcing the launch date of a game. Not one to be late to the party, Avalanche Studios has come through with a date for the demo of Just Cause. In case the headline didn't tip you off, the demo should hit Marketplace (and PC) on August 24th. Starring a skydiving, carjacking, black wearing operative, Just Cause looks to give 360 owners their first non-urban sandbox game. Anybody expecting this to top Saints Row? [Via OXM]
Just Cause website launches
The official site for the upcoming open-world game Just Cause (Xbox 360, Xbox, PS2 and PC) has launched -- though not without a few bugs and sluggish load times. As of now, the site hates some of our Firefox browsers. Overall, the site is rather ho hum with interested parties only able to view videos and screenshots. But don't let the complete averageness of the site fool you, the game is actually pretty tight. We got to play and see more of it recently and definitely liked what we saw. For those that aren't familiar, Just Cause puts you in the pants of a revolutionary in a nondescript South American country. The world in which you play around in is absolutely huge -- 250,000 acres and over 300 missions. Chew on that GTA fans!
Just Cause developer interview
Mike from K1lla's Xbox Domain has a Just Cause for interviewing the Swedish guys who run Avalanche Studios -- that would be the need for more info on their upcoming open-world thriller, set in a scenic South American dictatorship. This game made a few "best sleeper" lists at E3 on the strength of the Avalanche engine and a plot that sounds like it's designed to make Hugo Chavez nervous. Just Cause has sort of been flying under the radar, but not for long: The devs say a demo will hit XBLM "very soon."
