Just Cause 2 gets late March launch

Ordinarily, the formula for a sequel is to top the original, making everything bigger and badder in the process. The problem facing Avalanche Studios for its upcoming Just Cause 2 is to top a game so over-the-top it let skydiving players hijack a helicopter on their way down.

Gamers will only have to wait a few more months to find out how the developer handled that challenge, as Square Enix today announced that Just Cause 2 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC will launch in North America on March 23. Gamers in Europe, the Middle East, and Australasia can look for it on shelves starting March 26.

Players will again step into the role of Rico Rodriguez, a government agent on the trail of his mentor-gone-rogue. Standing between Rico and his ex-boss is a military regime on a fictitious South Pacific island that is made up of everything from lush jungles to snow-capped mountains.

The open-world gameplay of the original returns, with the grappling hook and parachute combo used not only to navigate the world but also to pull off absurd feats like the helicopter hijack. Speaking of helicopters, they'll be back in Just Cause 2, with an assortment of more than 100 different vehicles for players to commandeer, from cars and ATVs to boats and jets.

For more, check out GameSpot's most recent preview of Just Cause 2.