Just Cause 4 Review

Genre: Action-Adventure | Developer: Avalanche Studios | Release Date: 2018

Published by Square Enix for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Windows, the game serves as the fourth entry in the Just Cause series. Players assume the role of Rico Rodríguez who arrives in the fictional nation of Solís to take down The Black Hand, the world's biggest private military. 

Campaign

Just Cause 4 once again follows Rico Rodriguez as he embarks on another explosive adventure, this time in the South American-inspired nation of Solís. The story is more personal than previous entries, as Rico uncovers the truth about his father’s involvement with the oppressive Black Hand organization. The main villains, Oscar Espinosa and Gabriella Morales, add a compelling presence, with Gabriella being one of the more memorable antagonists in the series. While the overarching narrative is still shallow compared to other action games, it does a decent job of adding stakes and context to the chaos.

The supporting cast offers a mix of entertaining and forgettable characters. The dialogue and writing can sometimes be cheesy, but it fits the series' over-the-top tone. The story missions follow the familiar pattern of liberating areas, destroying enemy bases, and undertaking high-octane stunts, which can feel repetitive. However, the game introduces extreme weather events such as tornadoes and lightning storms, adding spectacle and variety to the campaign. Despite its flaws, Just Cause 4 delivers an entertaining if somewhat predictable, action-packed experience.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Gameplay 

The core gameplay remains as chaotic and exhilarating as ever, with Rico’s signature grappling hook offering limitless mobility and creative combat opportunities. The upgraded tether system introduces new features like air lifters and boosters, allowing players to create absurd and hilarious scenarios. The game’s physics-based destruction is as fun as ever, encouraging players to experiment with how they cause mayhem.

Extreme weather effects, such as sandstorms, blizzards, and tornadoes, add an exciting layer to gameplay. The tornado, in particular, is a highlight, creating dynamic destruction as it moves across the map. However, these weather effects are not as interactive as they could be. While they present a danger, Rico isn’t significantly affected beyond mild inconveniences, which feels like a missed opportunity.

Gunplay remains serviceable but uninspired, with a standard selection of weapons that don’t feel particularly impactful. The variety of vehicles, from fighter jets to tanks, adds to the fun, but vehicular combat is often clunky. Mission design can become repetitive, but side activities and challenges help break up the monotony. Unfortunately, the game lacks a proper multiplayer or co-op mode, which feels like a missed opportunity given the sandbox potential. Despite some drawbacks, the gameplay remains an absolute playground for destruction and creativity.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Production

Visually, Just Cause 4 is a mixed bag. The environments of Solís are stunning, with diverse biomes ranging from dense jungles to vast deserts. The dynamic weather effects enhance the atmosphere, making the world feel alive. However, character models and textures often look outdated, and the game suffers from pop-in issues and occasional graphical glitches.

The cutscenes are well-directed but suffer from mediocre animations and lackluster facial expressions. The art direction effectively captures the beauty and scale of Solís, but it doesn’t push the boundaries of open-world visuals. Performance issues, including frame rate drops and screen tearing, can detract from the experience, especially during intense action sequences.

On the audio side, the soundtrack is fitting, with a mix of Latin-inspired beats and high-energy action music. The sound design is impressive, especially during extreme weather events, where wind howls and thunderclaps create an immersive experience. Voice performances are decent, with Rico’s actor delivering his signature charm, but some supporting characters sound flat or exaggerated. Overall, the production quality is solid but not without noticeable flaws.

Rating: 3 out of 5

The Verdict

In the end, Just Cause 4 delivers the same chaotic fun the series is known for, with exciting new weather mechanics and expanded grappling hook abilities. However, repetitive missions, lackluster gunplay, and performance issues prevent it from reaching its full potential. Despite its flaws, the game remains a fun and explosive open-world experience for fans of destruction and over-the-top action. Just Cause 4 gets 3 out of 5.