To say the Just Cause series has a dedicated following is an understatement. Just Cause 2 maintains a large active player base, raising the question of whether Just Cause 3, released five years later, can meet the high expectations.
Just Cause 3 is largely about blowing things up.
The Just Cause series represents a significant undertaking. Developed by Swedish game studio Avalanche – a studio of considerable size, though not comparable to industry giants like Rockstar or DICE – it has successfully established a unique identity within the sandbox genre. Some of our editorial staff still occasionally revisit the second game to explore the island and experiment with traversal methods, utilizing grappling hooks, vehicles, and a healthy dose of unconventional tactics. This reflects the core of the Just Cause experience: freedom. The games offer the sensation of navigating the world in spectacular and unrestrained ways. The narrative often takes a backseat, a trend that continues in Just Cause 3.
Players once again assume the role of Rico Rodriguez, a confident operative who previously liberated the Southeast Asian island of Panau from a dictator. This installment takes us to Medici, a fictional and vibrant archipelago in the Mediterranean, plagued by the rule of General Sebastian Di Ravello, a tyrannical leader with an Italian-sounding name. The objective remains consistent: liberate cities, master a diverse range of vehicles, and engage in daring, gravity-defying stunts.
The dictator Di Ravello feels like an amalgamation of Josef Stalin and Muammar El Khaddafi.
Just Cause 3 maintains a consistently lighthearted and entertaining tone. The absence of serious elements contributes to moments like the engaging opening sequence, where Rico effortlessly eliminates SAM defenses from a plane using a bazooka, unhindered by realistic constraints. The narrative is straightforward, perhaps somewhat simplistic given the expansive game world. The goal is to overthrow a dictator by liberating 29 provinces. Mission variety is limited, and the acting can be theatrical. The Southern European-inspired humor is exaggerated, with accents ranging from Latino to Russian. Gamers who prioritize intricate, emotionally resonant stories and well-defined checkpoints may find themselves wanting. Just Cause 3 prioritizes uninhibited gameplay, exploration, and experimentation.
Rico can traverse the world using a variety of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, helicopters, and aircraft. However, the game truly excels when the player is on foot. Rico’s grappling hook allows for Spiderman-like mobility. Combining this with his parachute enables players to seamlessly transition between grappling, gliding, and traversing the environment. The addition of a wingsuit, previously a mod in the second game, further enhances traversal. Mastering the wingsuit allows for breathtaking dives and rapid movement across land and sea (though expect some initial setbacks). This freedom, combined with the ability to approach enemy base liberation in diverse ways, is key to the experience. While combat is inevitable, players can also utilize the grappling hook to create widespread destruction, such as toppling towers onto generators. Alternatively, a strategically placed grenade at a gas station can trigger a spectacular chain reaction. This exemplifies the core of Just Cause 3: a virtual sandbox experience focused on mass destruction and experimentation. If this appeals to you, then Just Cause 3 is worth considering.
Realism and story are not what Just Cause 3 is about. This is a large sandbox for adults.
The presentation has received a noticeable upgrade in this installment. Technological advancements over the past five years, coupled with new-generation hardware, contribute to this improvement. However, the overall result is somewhat inconsistent, and Just Cause 3 would have benefitted from additional development time. Despite receiving a review copy that incorporated a substantial day-one patch, which has become increasingly common in today’s rushed release cycles, several bugs and optimization issues persist. The graphics are vibrant, and Medici is visually appealing, featuring a stunning blue sea and picturesque skies. The developers have incorporated more detailed textures for elements like cliffs, fields, and urban areas, resulting in a generally pleasing aesthetic, albeit not groundbreaking. The PS4 version, which was tested, exhibits some artifacts and crawling in fine lines, particularly in densely populated environments. The frame rate also experiences noticeable dips, and while the day-one patch provided some improvement (compared to a beta version tested prior), maintaining a consistent 30 fps remains challenging, especially during intense action sequences. Graphical bugs, such as floating objects and flickering details, are also present. While these may be addressed in future patches, their prevalence in major releases is a concern.
The audio design is well-executed, featuring a blend of classic tracks like Prodigy’s Firestarter and original compositions, often incorporating intense Spanish guitar during action sequences. Sound effects are effectively positioned in the surround system, allowing for accurate spatial awareness of gunfire and helicopters. The recreation of machine gun sounds and bass-heavy explosions is also satisfying. However, the controls present a mixed experience. Rico’s movement is generally responsive and intuitive. Mastering the grappling hook, parachute, and wingsuit combination allows for fluid and enjoyable traversal across Medici. The recoil and feedback from firearms are also well-implemented. Conversely, vehicle handling leaves something to be desired. Despite the game’s emphasis on humor and fantasy, cars and motorcycles often feel unstable and difficult to control, behaving as if they are driving on ice or equipped with tractor tires. The most significant issue, however, lies in the excessively long and frequent loading times. Load times of 1 to 2 minutes are not uncommon, and while this may seem insignificant for initial loading, it becomes problematic during challenges. For example, repeated failures in wingsuit challenges result in loading times that often exceed the actual gameplay duration. While complex open-world games inevitably require extensive reloading, optimizing this process in confined areas and specific scenarios should be feasible.
The grappling hook and its uses are truly ingenious.
Despite its shortcomings, Just Cause 3 provides an enjoyable experience. The game offers a high degree of freedom, and the grappling hook mechanic is a game-changer. For instance, if you run out of rockets while being pursued by a helicopter, you can simply grapple onto it and hijack it. These details contribute to the fun and engaging nature of Just Cause 3, especially when played in moderation. However, the technical issues detract from the overall polish. Future patches may further enhance the experience. Fans of the second game should find this to be a worthwhile experience, and newcomers who enjoy open-world sandbox games and are willing to overlook a less-than-stellar narrative should also consider checking it out, perhaps after a few weeks to allow for technical improvements.
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