Just Cause

 Xbox 360
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 57 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 35 out of 57
  3. Negative: 0 out of 57
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  1. Times Online
    100
    Fans of the Nintendo SNES classic "Pilotwings" will literally jump at the chance to parachute from any of the aircraft for spectacular views of the vast landscape below. There is bound to be a sequel, because this original is so good.
  2. AceGamez
    100
    A gaming triumph and a truly next-generational offering - indeed, it's offering next generation gameplay for PS2 and Xbox owners too, and anyone wanting a taste of where gaming is heading really needs to pick this up now.
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  3. Play Magazine
    90
    No game has ever afforded this level of freedom, and it's simply breathtaking to behold. [Oct. 2006, p.56]
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  5. Play.tm
    90
    The frenetic immediacy of the uprisings and the power of their resulting fire fights is thoroughly entertaining as well as graphically hard hitting - despite the obvious "Far Cry" similarities. The sense of absolute speed when behind the wheel (or controls) of some of the game’s more ‘beefy’ land and sea vehicles is always thrilling.
  6. 360 Gamer Magazine UK
    90
    Just Cause is brilliant because every player has the chance to carve their own personality into how they play. Most games have a create-a-character mode – Just Cause has a create-a-video game mode!
  7. PGNx Media
    86
    One of those amazingly fun, carefree games and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The action is hectic and breaks every law of physic and though the gameplay isn’t that varied, it’s still quite fun.
  8. Official Xbox Magazine
    85
    Fuse together "Grand Theft Auto's" open-ended game world, "Mercenaries" militaristic vibe, "Far Cry's" tropical vistas, and the movie "Desperado's" titular hero, and you got Just Cause in a nutshell. [Nov. 2006, p.72]
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  9. GamePro
    85
    The sheer capacity of things to do in San Esperito is enormous and usually overwhelming.
  10. ZTGD
    85
    With plenty to see and do and a large variety of ways to cause chaos and mayhem Just Cause will satisfy any gamers appetite for destruction.
  11. Games Master UK
    83
    A laugh-out-loud, gun toting riot of action. [Nov 2006, p.67]
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  12. VGPub
    83
    A damn good sandbox game that is filled with all types of crazy action, and will provide many hours of satisfaction.
  13. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    80
    A delicious experience, containing some of the sweetest moments in any console game. The astonishing environment alone is enough reason to give it a shot. However, it's not quite compelling enough as an adventure to make you want to see the set missions through. [Oct 2006, p.82]
  14. X-ONE Magazine UK
    80
    Almost like "GTA" without any of the character. For these short bursts of satisfaction alone this is more than worth getting - however, don't be surprised when you end up switching off halfway through a mission and start praying that "Mercenaries 2" will fill the hole. [Issue # 11, p.80]
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  15. games(TM)
    80
    Avalanche’s greatest achievement is that it has created an open, vehicle-based videogame that does not feel like GTA in any way, shape or form, be it thematically or mechanically. [Nov 2006, p.110]
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  16. Cheat Code Central
    80
    After you liberate the island and eliminate the dictator, there is simply no other reason to put the disk back in your system. The island looks pretty and there are plenty of attractions to see, but once you spend a little time there, you are ready to leave.
  17. Pelit (Finland)
    80
    Has a fun, over-the-top attitude and a great looking world to explore. Unfortunately, the missions repeat a pattern and get boring fast. Still, good entertainment in short doses. [Oct 2006]
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  18. Gaming Target
    80
    Stealing cars, shooting bad guys – it’s all pretty familiar stuff at this point, but Just Cause takes the formula and adds in amazing stunts and the freedom to take to the air in a variety of ways. That alone makes this title well worth a look for action fans.
  19. GameZone
    79
    Side missions are extremely repetitive, and with the main quest being kind of short, replay value isn’t as high as you’d expect from such an enormous set of islands.
  20. Digital Entertainment News
    78
    Just Cause had potential to be a GTA-style game on par with the GTA series itself. Unfortunately, a short story mode and a lack of much else to do robs this game of its staying power.
  21. GameTrailers
    76
    It’s often a glitchy and shallow experience, yet you’ll have an absolute blast playing it.
  22. GamingTrend
    76
    A game that delivers on some promises while completely losing sight of others. The overall gameplay is fun, but a few bugs tend to frustrate the experience.
  23. Gaming Age
    75
    For the most part, though, Just Cause pulls players along with a promise of bigger and badder weaponry.

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2006
43
#43 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2006
23
#23 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 65
  3. Negative: 9 out of 65
  1. BaronMonaco
    Apr 23, 2016
    4
    Just Cause was one of those game that came out between the release of the Xbox 360 and the PS3 therefore it is interesting to see how thoseJust Cause was one of those game that came out between the release of the Xbox 360 and the PS3 therefore it is interesting to see how those games did and if they are worthy of this generation of consoles or if they could have stick to the old-gen.

    Just Cause had a simple goal: be an entertaining sandbox game, so don't expect much from the story, it's a simple parody of movies like Rambo that will last about 6 hours straight which is very short and you'll have to do the side activities, that will unlock weapons, vehicles and safehouses to make the game last 20 to 30 hours depending if you want the 100% or if you'll get bored of doing approximately the same thing over and over, because yes the side activities are very, very repetitives.

    Concerning the gameplay, the driving really sucks and you'll thank god for the fast travel options, the gunfights are soulless and really easy and so the game, while playable, is really not very fun.

    Finally the game looks okay for the time and considering it was also developed for PS2, the map is huge and without loading times or framerate issues.

    So in conclusion I was very disappointed by the first entry of Just Cause, even if it was a solid technical performance and a good parody of the genre (in theaters or video games) the lack of original content and most of all a clunky gameplay puts the overall experience to boring if not painful sometimes, I do not advise any of you to buy it, Just Cause 2 or 3 are far better choices (where Avalanche actually succeed where they failed in this game) and given the fact that each stories are independent you really don't need to put up with this one.    … Full Review »
  2. Jobadkins
    Mar 4, 2012
    10
    Let's break this down,nice and neat,real very real.This game was made in 2006 where games wish they could be as versitile,as amazing,as aLet's break this down,nice and neat,real very real.This game was made in 2006 where games wish they could be as versitile,as amazing,as a game with infinite replay value.The map is bigger then most open world racing games excluding Fuel of course.This is kinda the ground work of how they produced Just Cause 2 after it being in production for 4 years.Get this,even though just Cause 2 took everything awesome about the first one and exploded on the scene as an out of this world game,the game is just merely bigger than the first game.Just a little bit bigger,can you believe that,that is why you have to look back on the first Just Cause and think that it is nothing less than a masterpiece and a step in gaming that shows you how serious gaming really is.To this day ,(almost 7 years later),I still play this game here and there but I admit that I play part 2 more now but to all you gamer's,play this,love this,live this!… Full Review »
  3. NisseJ.
    Oct 1, 2006
    10
    One of the coolest games I've played in recent years!
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