Why the game has some problems and their explanations
This may seem as the positive part of the review, because in the first part I mostly complained, not necessarily about this being a bad game, but about what improvements could turn this into an awesome game.
One of the reasons that stopped this game from being at its full potential was Square Enix and the very short development time accorded to Avalanche Studios to make it, which was less than 4 years, which may seem like enough, but it's really not. Taking a short look at the difference between Just Cause 3 and Just Cause 4 would make you think that not much have changed, and you're right, ish, the game has many assets modified from the previous game, but at it's core, the entire game was rebuilt. First thing is that, the game is build on a new version of Apex Engine, developed at the same time with the game to permit the devs new improvements. One of the main facts about this game is that most of it is physically active, this is also the reason why the game is a little unstable and has some fps drops, which I experienced myself even if I played the ultimate version a few years after launch, but I find that this understandable because the game has a lot of active parts, the environment is super populated with objects of which details you're not really catch but would give the feeling that something's missing if they wouldn't be there.
Another reason why the game feels unfinished, is because of the size of it. This map is literally huge, to get some perspective it would take at least 25 minutes to make a full circle around the map using the fastest airplane available. At this point, you would expect that some regions might look a little empty, but the lack of collectibles determine you to skip through locations without exploring them.
DLC's
I must admit, these DLC are one of the main reasons why I'm still positive about this game and still appreciate Avalanche Studios. If you want the short version, these are the essence of Just Cause, especially the last one, but let's take them in order.
Dare devils of destruction
I think one of the main reasons of bad reviews for this DLC is from the ones that finished the game and waited for this DLC to come out. In my case, the one I recommend is starting it during the main game, otherwise it might be a little repetitive, but mixing it up with other missions should be the best tactic.
With a cartoonish cutscene along the way, this DLC is about cars. Yeah, I know this is not the best game about cars, but give me a break, I saw some reviews about how awesome Cyberpunk gameplay was at launch. As I was saying, this DLC is about, well, keeping a combo alive to gather as many points as possible, by you guessed, at least I hope, destroying objects. For me, this was enough to keep me entertained for quite a few time.
Los Demonios
Yet again, I didn't understand why there was so much negativity around this one, I mean, it's a DLC about demons. How good this one fits in this universe is disputable, but I found it to be pretty fun, a little harder than the rest of the game, but you also got a super powerful weapon, the 'Demon Crossbow' which can instantly kill any demon.
Implying the Black Hand soldiers to also fight the demons, and making the demons able to control the captured soldiers to use them as shield and fire their weapons, was a great idea to contour them without giving too many abilities. Even the demons that kamikaze over you are not that difficult to kill or avoid if you just keep moving. Also, the tentacles that make use of Black Hand's tanks have some weak points that are even glowing to make them evident (shoot where it glows - video game logic indeed), as well as every objective at the locations.
Danger Rising
I gotta say, this is my favorite DLC, in fact I liked it so much, I even forgot to screenshot some scenes for this review... so, here's the trailer:
Quick advice, don't play this one before finishing the main story. I didn't mention it at the anywhere, but Rico wasn't actually on Solis for the Agency, he's kinda sick of it and gone rogue, and the Agency is not happy about it. They send a whole army after you, but you're only the secondary objective, because they have another interests in Solis.
One thing that I didn't get over easily were the interactions with your old buddies from the Agency. Some of them you may know, others only know you by your reputation, but all of them think they can get a piece of you, so prepare for a sandwich with bullets for breakfast, cause they will come at you with all they have.
Easter eggs
In this case, there are plenty. Some of them are pretty meh, but most of them are a very nice touch.
- High Mile Club from Just Cause 2
- Jurassic Park - Raptor Cage
- Phantom Pirate Ship - This one is particularly nice because touching the rudder will make Rico equip a pirate skin; Patchy eye, wooden leg, it's just beautiful
- PUBG Pan and loot box - unfortunately you can't use the pan
- Mr. Snowman - My favorite Easter Egg in this series, and this is why:
- a-ha Take on me - Music Video
- The game - Getting over it
- Memorials
- Cow gun
Yeah, you read that right, you have a weapon that transform the people in cows, you can equip a cow skin by clicking the right click and the best of the best if you use the gun on actual cows, they will have a Di Ravello skin.
CM0ISA was here
Yet again, another game is added to the completed list, and it feels good to know the entire franchise is in this list, making me feel again like an achievement whore. Hell yeah, feels great!
Why it's highly unlikely to see another Just Cause
As seen in the final missions of the game and in DLC, the plot leaves a lot of space for another game, even more interesting than what was until now, so to think they don't have any more ideas is just not an option.
The main reason that another Just Cause isn't really possible is Square Enix. The same publisher of Just 3 and 4, that rushed Just Cause 4 out the door and then declared that the game didn't sell as expected, is the main reason that thinking another investment in the Just Cause series will not be possible. Square Enix buried the franchise without remorse in a few simple steps:
- They rushed the development and forced deadline that forced devs to cut corners and limit the content delivering and unfinished game
- Being unpolished, the game disappoints by being unstable and attracts bad review
- Bad reviews mean fewer copies bought
- Square Enix decides that the franchise is not worth investing any more because of low profits
- Mark the grave of Just Cause series
But, you never know. This might as well be resurrected and continued, anything is possible.
Final impression
Just Cause 4 for me was good and bad at the same time, and entertain yourself experience, but one I don't regret I had it. You can see that the game has some flaws coming from rushing the development, but the devs still showed serious game development skills in the main game as well as in DLC's, which I respect along with their hard work. Just Cause 4 might not be that polished game that should've ended this franchise in all its glory, but it's still a pretty good game, and I wouldn't mind for part 5 to appear.
Info
Every screenshot from this post is captured during my gameplay.
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