If there’s an explosive, thrill-ride of a game that encapsulates the joys of freedom, then it’s Just Cause 4. This open-world action-adventure game was developed by Avalanche Studios and published by Square Enix, and it takes the mayhem to new heights, both literally and metaphorically. Skydive into enemy bases, hijack a tank, or blow up an enemy camp. Just Cause 4 is an adrenaline-pumping sandbox of mayhem. But what sets it apart from other action games? But why did it become such a fan favorite, despite so-so reviews? Let’s jump into the Just Cause 4 game overview and see!
What is Just Cause 4?
Just Cause 4 is the fourth game in the Just Cause series, which was launched for Windows and consoles in December 2018. Set in the fictional country of Solís in South America, the game tells the story of Rico Rodriguez, an intrepid operative who is in the business of regime change and revolution.
Just Cause 4 is simply put, all about blowing up. It builds on the series’ reputation for outlandish stunts and skyscraper-destroying chaos, but introduces an innovation: extreme weather systems. From sandstorms to tornadoes to blizzards and a barrage of other new features, each of the 17 maps is filled with dynamic events and unique gameplay elements. What is Just Cause 4? If you’re unfamiliar with Just Cause 4, it essentially operates as an open-world anarchy simulator with a story tucked away in the waning moments of all of the chaos
Just Cause 4 Gameplay Features: A Storm of Possibilities
At the core of Just Cause 4 is its gameplay. It is a game that builds on its predecessors and offers players more freedom, more destruction, and more tools to play with. From the outset, Rico is equipped with his best-in-class grappling hook, enabling players to take to the skies and effortlessly sling from building to building, as new modes such as Extreme Weather and the introduction of unrivalled height have been added to the series’ much-loved open-world sandbox.
There’s some new tech in the grappling hook as well. Now players have the option to modify their tethers with booster rockets, balloons, and pull cables, transforming every encounter into a playground for the imagination. Concerned about sling-shooting a cow into space? No problem. Make a car into a floating bomb? Easy. Slap a rocket onto a helicopter that belongs to the bad guys and watch it go spinning to the ground? Go for it.
And there’s also the weather system, which has been one of the most discussed new Just Cause 4 gameplay options. These are not mere visual flourishes. A tornado may sweep up vehicles or foes into the air, a lightning storm makes you dash or get fried. Weather can have a dramatic impact on missions, and no two playthroughs will be alike.
Combat, while still arcade-flavored, is less twitchy than it used to be. Rico can easily dodge into cover, swap weapons, and even request supply drops with better gear, vehicles, and guns. The AI isn’t perfect, but when the environment is your primary weapon, enemy tactics pale beside creative destruction.
Game Modes
Unlike a lot of contemporary games, Just Cause 4 still embraces its single-player heritage. There is no multiplayer, which disappointed some fans, but the game more than makes up for it by presenting one of the largest and most responsive open worlds in the action game genre.
Just Cause 4 is a one-player game predicated on open-world sandbox mechanics. It doesn’t have a multiplayer option, but there are a ton of things to do in the game:
- Main Campaign: Walk in the shoes of Rico Rodriguez as he works to take down the Black Hand.
- Side Missions Challenges: Connect with the world and experience a wide range of activities that challenge your creativity and fighting experience.
Stunt with your family members, using vehicles, wingsuits, and grappling hooks. Its dynamic, free-form open world and possibilities are just as engaging.
Other than story missions, there’s no shortage of side activities, stunts, challenges, and secrets to keep you busy. Whether you’re soaring across the sky in a wingsuit or blowing up fuel depots, there’s always something to annihilate. It’s this boundless freedom that makes Just Cause 4 feel more like an interactive sandbox than a guided narrative experience.
Characters
Rico Rodriguez
Rico himself is known for his wanton destruction as much as he is for his military talents. In Just Cause 4, he is exploring his past and his father’s relationship with Project Illapa.
Gabriela Morales
Gabriela serves as an effective villain as the leader of the Black Hand. Her critical thinking and merciless actions make her a formidable opponent for Rico.
Mira Morales
A key ally, Mira is a passionate leader of the Army of Chaos. She provides Rico with missions and support throughout his journey.
Javi Huerta
An archaeologist with a deep knowledge of Solís’ history, Javi aids Rico in uncovering ancient secrets and understanding the nation’s past.
Storyline
The main narrative thread of Just Cause 4 sees Rico seeking to take down Project Illapa, a classified project that turns weather into a weapon. The project was partly conceived of by Rico’s father, which adds an emotional dimension to the mission. The evil Black Hand is also using the tech to keep control over Solís, and Rico’s job is to systematically dismantle it.
As the narrative progresses, players discover more about the history of Solís, the corrupt organization behind the weather technology, and Rico’s family history. It’s not a revolutionary story-wise, but it gives just enough narrative propulsion to make players want to keep pressing further into the chaos. And as per usual in Just Cause fashion, most cutscenes serve only as pit stops between high-octane, doomful delivery.
Just Cause 4 Action Mayhem
Where Just Cause 4 shines is through its unadulterated, over-the-top mayhem. The pure scale of Just Cause 4 action chaos is ridiculous. Not many games allow you to surf a plane into a tornado while firing rockets at tanks, but in Solís, that’s just another Tuesday.
The game has a good sense of humor about itself. Its overblown physics, silly stunts, and nitroglycerin gadgets make it a hoot to play. It’s this feeling of wild cuisine that’s made Just Cause 4 such a hit with action gaming fans, even if some critics noted that the game’s storytelling and mission structures fell into a rut at times.
How This Game Won People’s Hearts
Just Cause 4 didn’t get the best reviews, but it also found an audience. Here’s how:
- Unprecedented Freedom: Gamers gravitated to the in-game focus of creative destruction, which led to layered, personal experiences that were never the same for two players.
- Dynamic Weather Systems: Tornadoes, sandstorms, and lightning storms now bring the unpredictable and liven up the battlefield.
- Grappling Hook Mk II: An updated grappling hook with customizable tethers, boosters, and balloons became a fan-favourite tool for emergent chaos.
As Game Informer’s Javy Gwaltney points out, the game has a “consistent flow of chaos and comedy,” noting that it’s ideal for people looking for out-and-out action
Just Cause 4 Game Review
Critical and player reception of Just Cause 4 was mixed:
- GameSpot praised the game’s traversal system and destruction tools, while criticising its mission design and lack of compelling content.
- PC Gamer also emphasized the game’s potential for sheer recklessness, but felt that it was losing the edge because of repetition.
- OpenCritic compiled reviews that cited the game’s strengths in sandbox mayhem but criticized its lack of innovation and depth.
Conclusion
What is Just Cause 4? It is not a great game, but it was never intended to be. It has a vast playground of destruction. If you’re in the market for rich storytelling or strategic combat, this may not be your game. But if you want to strap a hummingbird to a llama and shoot it into a tornado, come on down to paradise.
Whether you’re experiencing it for the first time or coming back to cause pure mayhem all over again, Just Cause 4 game review is proof that games can be a whole lot of fun when they take the gloves off and hang it all out in pursuit of the craziness.
