Mercenaries 2: World in Flames

It won't light the world on fire, but this next-gen playground of destruction offers you tons to do (well, tons to explode), it's always enjoyable, and I dove right back in after the credits rolled.

There are not many surprises here, but there is a lot of action and a great deal of entertainment value. Bigger and more robust than its predecessor, Mercenaries 2 is a solid action-adventure ride that combines role-play elements, solid characters and a sense of fun.

Occasional hiccups or no, having this much open-world freedom to come at the enemy any old way you see fit is just too much damned fun.

It's a good game that's prevented from being great by sub-par graphics, a few too many bugs and an overall lack of any serious challenge. If you can look past these shortcomings, however, Mercenaries 2 offers a great deal of high-energy explosive thrills and seriously satisfying action gameplay that is well worth your attention.

A heap of fun.

Mercenaries 2 is a lot of fun if you don't get bogged down by its rough-hewn minutiae and relish the simple pleasures of blowing things up.

World In Flames has a satisfying amount of destruction, whether you blow up an oilrig with a well-armed helicopter or bring down a building with C4 and gas tanks. It's engaging and exciting, especially if you play co-op.

All considered though, Mercenaries 2 isn’t a complicated game to assess. It’s a stupid action game in a long and storied tradition of stupid action games.

While a disaster on the PC, this game shines on the next-gen consoles. It's a back-to-basics title that allows you to destroy pretty much everything around you, and you'll have no end of fun doing so.

Fun. It's three little letters that seem to have been lost - Mercs 2 has it in spades! [Nov 2008, p.98]

For every time I cursed the stupid AI, I cheered at the demolition of another building. For every bug that got me stuck in some bushes, there was an attack chopper waiting to be jacked. If Mercenaries 2 had more polish, it would have been a great game. As is, it’s still worth playing – and enjoyable – but falls far short of its promise.

World in Flames delivers on what it tries to be--a high octane playground of destruction.

Mercenaries 2: World in Flames is a good game if you like to watch things go boom.

It’s a game with great intentions, but one that never lives up to its full potential. Nothing feels of suitable quality to really make the game world feel fantastic, and as such it falls short of all expectations.

The game is worth a rental and a purchase if you want to keep your destruction going. So if you’re looking for a fun game, check out Mercs 2.

Blowing stuff up with a buddy absolutely rocks, but the AI is anything but intelligent and the graphics are a bit disappointing.

Technically weak and slightly scrappy but tons of simple fun. [Nov 2008, p.83]

Mercenaries 2, much like their in-game avatars, succeeds by getting the job done with no frills and nothing more. To many gamers that just may be enough.

Mercenaries 2 states itself as a third person shooter with a heavy destructive component. Venezuela is the chosen scenario where each and every weapon available will be put to a test to destroy everything in our sight. Freedom of movement, driving and destroying is total. Despite the in-game missions and assignments become repetitive over time, the enjoyment the game provides is high. Technically a run-of-the-mill, has some memorable scenes nevertheless.