We'll just get this out of the way, Just Cause 2 is one of the most fantastic video games of this generation, perfectly blending mindless fun, genius game mechanics, and a sense of freedom its biggest sandbox rivals can only dream of. No scripted missions or being dragged from favor to favor by the nose here. This is fun, how you want it and when you want it.
Which is why I'm thrilled at even the slightest hint of developers Avalanche Studio creating a sequel to this wonderful pillar of game design.
CEO Christofer Sundberg has just recently updated his LinkedIn profile to reveal two more games under his belt. While you won't find the words "Just Cause 3" written anywhere on his profile, his most recent update included the description:
Unnanounced Sandbox Action game (Square Enix)
August 2011 to Present
New installment in a very well-known game series. The game is being developed at Avalanche Studios New York studio and is scheduled for completion in June 2015 for next generation console platforms.
Adding up all the hints, Just Cause is not only a Sandbox Action game, but it's also a very well known series, the second selling more than 3.5 million copies. Square Enix published Just Cause 2, and they haven't lost or sold off the franchise to my knowledge. Avalanche also scored dev kits for the next generation consoles some time last year, so these developments have already been rumored for a while.
Give it a little time to become official, but trust me: Just Cause 3 is happening.
Also update on Christofer Sundberg's profile was an open-world action game "based on a well-known movie license," that can stand on its own beyond canon. Speculation and rumor has suggested Mad Max, but again, nothing is confirmed.
At any rate, Just Cause 2 was already a masterpiece of chaos and mayhem. How can Avalanche mix up the formula enough to match next generation standards and yet not take away from the perfect balance it so perfectly nailed? We'll find out.
