Just Cause 2 gets late March launch

Avalanche Studios' over-the-top open-world action sequel takes flight March 23 in North America, March 26 in Europe and elsewhere.

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.

Isn't he supposed to have a parachute?

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.

72 Comments

  • Oxy80

    Posted Jan 23, 2010 2:27 pm PT

    Game looks great, first one was really fun but did have a few problems but still great, this one looks like everything is fixed and graphics are just.. just amazing, all the new vehicles and acrobatic moves and abilities you have, like helicopter hijacking soo great. CANT WAIT!!

  • BFBC-NUMBER1FAN

    Posted Dec 4, 2009 12:37 pm PT

    This game looks awesome!!! I'm gonna have tons of fun with the grappling hook hijacking helicopters and jets. And skydiving from high places with the use of a parachute... Can't wait! I'm definitely getting this!!!!!

  • j_kizi

    Posted Nov 29, 2009 6:58 pm PT

    man Q1 next year is seriously gettin ridiculous.... too many games yo... how am i suppose to study?

  • ParonoiaAgent

    Posted Nov 29, 2009 6:34 am PT

    Demo..Now

  • partyboy57

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 11:32 am PT

    sweet!! finaly a realese date im getting this for sure

  • in_Out

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 8:55 am PT

    Looks really nice!! I'm getting it for sure..

  • Waseemreddler

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 5:09 am PT

    I must have more money , Hot Quarter for games. Assassin creed 2, Splinter Cell Conviction , Bad Company 2 , Just Cause 2, Bio Shock 2 , Mass Effect 2 .

  • Waseemreddler

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 5:00 am PT

    It will be Directx 11 compatible game , waiting for Nvidia 300 series.

  • senseless_dj

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 4:22 am PT

    looks awesome...gonna be a lot of fun if its well developed...cant wait....

  • senseless_dj

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 4:22 am PT

    look awesome...gonna be a lot of fun if its well developed...cant wait....

  • ShroudedEagle

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 5:11 pm PT

    Just Cause 1 was pretty fun, despite it's many flaws. So I'll probably be getting Just Cause 2 aswell.

  • turok0

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 3:57 pm PT

    Definitely GOTY for 2010

  • TheClown24

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 3:55 pm PT

    2 days after my birthday

  • SavageM2

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 2:10 pm PT

    I loved the first one. Had tons of fun with it. Even though it got some negative feedback. This will be a day one purchase for me.

  • yves74zh

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 10:50 am PT

    I can't wait!!!
    The first one was big fun already - only problem there: it gets boring because of all Villas and Villages looking exactly the same.
    Cheers

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 9:31 am PT

    I bought the original Just Cause for Xbox 360. I tried the demo and thought it was great fun, so I purchased it.

    I still really enjoyed the game. It had a repetitive feel to it, but it was still fun just pulling off crazy stunts.

    My biggest problem with the game was that it lost my save file several times. Then it would load my game only to return me to the main menu. The game just wouldn't run for me.

    It's strange that with all the technical problems I had with the first one that I am still fairly excited to check out the new one. However, I am more likely to rent for a while before I buy.
    _

  • dentui

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 8:55 am PT

    Looks like a fun version of Mercenaries 2.

  • Nemesis69-

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 8:42 am PT

    I HATE march 2010.
    God of War III, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Just Cause 2. (I think it was one more game but I have forgot) gets released then
    My budget only allows me 1 game/month. Good thing that my birthday is the month after

  • CTR360

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 8:41 am PT

    looking good game damn march its hot month for gamers final13 bad company2 god of war3 resomance of fate just cause2

  • Doolum

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 8:22 am PT

    looks fun.well,nice.will definitely be considering it.

  • Colsworl

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 7:16 am PT

    @Gamesmasterx

    No Australasia is a proper word. The region includes Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and other neighboring islands.

    Oh and I can't wait for this game. The first was pretty fun, I think this will be much better.

  • synyster-666

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 6:46 am PT

    This looks absolutely amazing!

  • PublicNuisance

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 6:36 am PT

    Hopefully the AI will be improved and the side missions won't be worthless.

  • QOSMSTR

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 6:03 am PT

    Yes, DEMO PLEASE.

    GOTY 2010 anyone?

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 5:52 am PT

    Demo please

  • An-Archist

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 5:36 am PT

    That looks awesome!

  • Rikuide_Furame

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 4:25 am PT

    The first one was good without ever being great. If they can correct some of the original's flaws this could be a cracker.

  • Gamesmasterx

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 4:09 am PT

    "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"
    Australasia? Tell me thats a typo.

  • JP-

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 2:49 am PT

    2 mutch games commin out and i hate choosing between them all

  • BigBacon87

    Posted Nov 25, 2009 1:50 am PT

    I never played the first is it more like GTA or InFamous/Prototype? In my opinion while they are good games.. GTA style games are over-repetitive, over-hyped and certainly not worthy of perfect scores. It bugs me to this day that anybody let the king of douchebags Hilary(actually a guy believe that shat or not) from IGN give it 10 out of 10. What a joke. Thank god this site has a shred of integrity.

  • punkpunker

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 10:45 pm PT

    NOOOoooo!!! its an ultimatum for my birthday gift, JC2 or ME2 or BfBc2!

  • maaly81

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 9:59 pm PT

    I am getting this one

  • xtremeflem2day

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 9:02 pm PT

    JC2, Battlefield bad company 2, Bioshock 2, splinter cell conviction...there are so many good games coming out in 2010!

  • panospcm

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 8:28 pm PT

    This game has straight A-class potential stamped all over it. Now, add a medium complex story and maybe a well refined multiplayer mode and you got a Bond-Bourne-Knievel-Rambo-Superman hybrid stunt hero ready for fulfilling heavy packed action !

  • FuryX-4

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 7:19 pm PT

    while this game is awesome, March is getting tough. With some of the greatest games like GOW3, FFXIII, and more, 2010 is getting tough on greatest video games

  • Gutterbuster

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 5:06 pm PT

    looks pretty good .

  • im-a-roustabout

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 4:21 pm PT

    I hope this doesn't come off as stupid, but it really is nice to see a protagonist who is Spanish for once! I wasn't mad, but I was curious why they put two black people and two white people in L4D2 but not one Spanish person. I love how developers try and be diverse with there games by sticking a token black guy in there but never a Latino. I really liked that guy from Resident Evil 4 as well. He was a pretty cool guy.

  • NoLifeGamin

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 4:19 pm PT

    man....looks like gaming fever will probably explode by then, i mean i saw a gameplay vid for Just Cause 2....and my jaw fell off.....LITERALLY

  • Phoenix534

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 3:48 pm PT

    I still have to play the first

  • blueguykisame

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 3:31 pm PT

    hopefully it'll be great.

  • oscar_mateo

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 3:14 pm PT

    Finally they give an specific date

  • DarkNeoBahamut

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 3:01 pm PT

    March?? I'm gonna be broke that month, too many good games released in that month !!

  • heznave

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 2:59 pm PT

    If you could get past the glitches and bugs the first game was a ton of fun. If you like the open world style of "do whatever you want" I recommend this game. It's not the highest quality but it looks really good and is fun to play. I'll be getting this and I am usually pretty critical of paying $60

  • Kevu

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 2:38 pm PT

    I agree with Makhdoom82, but in a less creepy way of being excited for this game.

  • JAM_Masta_Kid

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 2:21 pm PT

    WTF, Makhdoom?

  • Mjwick

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 2:21 pm PT

    Looks like a good game. I'll have to check it out.

  • Makhdoom82 posted Nov 24, 2009 2:09 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Makhdoom82

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 2:09 pm PT (hide)

    Come on out already. I'm like hungry for you lil girl

  • -Fromage-

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 2:05 pm PT

    Sounds dangerous.

  • shootingrobot98

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 2:05 pm PT

    As long as they use the extra time to make it better.

  • JudgeRAW

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 2:02 pm PT

    This looks pretty damn fun. Looking forward to it.

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