The game is developed by Avalanche Studios and published by Square Enix, is an open-world action-adventure game that delivers a thrilling, high-octane experience.
Released in December 2015 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, the game follows the adventures of Rico Rodriguez, a skilled operative on a mission to free his home country, Medici, from the oppressive rule of a tyrannical dictator, General Di Ravello.
Set in a massive, free-form open world, Just Cause 3 gives players the freedom to engage in destructive and chaotic gameplay, making use of an arsenal of weapons, vehicles, and explosive devices.
Whether you’re gliding through the sky with a wingsuit, flying over the seas in a helicopter, or using a grappling hook to swing between skyscrapers, the game offers players a wide range of tools to wreak havoc across Medici.
With its emphasis on explosive action and creative destruction, Just Cause 3 quickly became known for its over-the-top gameplay and its ability to deliver adrenaline-pumping moments from start to finish.
Development and Release of Just Cause 3
Just Cause 3 marks the third installment in the beloved Just Cause series, following the success of its predecessors. Avalanche Studios aimed to take everything that made the earlier games successful—action-packed gameplay, a vast open world, and the freedom to cause chaos—and ramp it up to even higher levels
The game was developed using the Apex engine, which helped deliver stunning visuals and smooth gameplay on current-gen consoles and PC.
Released during the holiday season of 2015, Just Cause 3 garnered attention for its vast, beautifully detailed world of Medici, along with its signature gameplay mechanics that encouraged creativity and destruction. The game’s storyline, while not as deep as some other titles, resonated with players who wanted to engage in larger-than-life action on their own terms.
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Storyline and Setting of Just Cause 3
In Just Cause 3, players take on the role of Rico Rodriguez, a former soldier who returns to his homeland of Medici to overthrow the brutal dictatorship of General Di Ravello. The game’s narrative centers around Rico’s efforts to liberate the country by taking down key military installations, sabotaging the enemy’s operations, and leading the revolution against Di Ravello’s forces.
Medici is a fictional Mediterranean island, with stunning beaches, lush forests, towering mountains, and sprawling cities. As players traverse this vast open world, they will face various challenges and confrontations with Di Ravello’s army, all while helping to free the citizens of Medici.
The game’s storyline unfolds through a series of main missions and side objectives, leading players on a journey of explosive action, daring escapes, and strategic sabotage. Along the way, players will discover new allies, face treacherous enemies, and uncover secrets hidden within the island.
Game Modes of Just Cause 3
Just Cause 3 features a robust single-player campaign that allows players to take on a variety of missions and objectives. The game does not include multiplayer modes, focusing solely on the player’s experience in the open world. Here are the primary modes you’ll engage with:
- Story Mode: The main mode where players take on the role of Rico and complete missions to overthrow General Di Ravello’s regime. The narrative-driven gameplay offers an exhilarating blend of action, strategy, and chaos.
- Side Missions and Challenges: While exploring the world of Medici, players can engage in a wide range of side missions and challenges. These missions offer rewards and allow players to further explore the world and hone their skills in combat and destruction.
- Destruction Events: These are mini-games and challenges that focus entirely on causing as much destruction as possible, whether it’s blowing up military bases, hijacking vehicles, or creating chaos in urban areas.
Gameplay Mechanics of Just Cause 3
Just Cause 3 is a fast-paced action game that places a strong emphasis on player freedom and creativity. Here are some key mechanics that make the game stand out:
- Grappling Hook: One of the game’s most iconic features, the grappling hook allows players to attach to almost anything in the world. Whether it’s a helicopter, a car, or a building, players can tether objects together or simply use the hook to reach far-away locations. It provides immense versatility in both combat and exploration.
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- Wingsuit: After being introduced in Just Cause 2, the wingsuit makes a return in Just Cause 3, giving players the ability to glide through the air, dive into combat, or quickly travel across the island. The wingsuit enhances mobility and opens up new ways to approach missions.
- Explosive Combat: Players have access to a wide variety of weapons, from automatic rifles to rocket launchers. Additionally, the game encourages creative destruction, allowing players to blow up tanks, take out enemy structures, and sabotage enemy equipment.
- Vehicles and Airborne Combat: From sports cars to fighter jets, Just Cause 3 provides a huge array of vehicles that can be used for high-speed chases, air combat, and land assaults. The game’s vehicles handle differently, adding a layer of fun and complexity to the action.
- Chaos and Territory Control: The game uses a “chaos” system where players gain chaos points by causing destruction, which unlocks new weapons, equipment, and missions. Taking over enemy-controlled territories helps players progress in the story and adds a layer of strategy to the gameplay.
Beginner Tips and Tricks
If you’re just starting out in Just Cause 3, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your experience:
- Use the Grappling Hook for Mobility: Don’t just use it to cause destruction. The grappling hook is a great way to quickly traverse the map, escape danger, or take down enemies from a distance.
- Maximize Chaos: Focus on completing objectives that increase the amount of chaos you create. More chaos means more upgrades and abilities, making your journey easier.
- Take Your Time with Exploration: While the game encourages chaotic action, don’t rush through it. Take your time exploring the massive open world, and you’ll find plenty of hidden secrets and exciting challenges along the way.
- Experiment with Destruction: There’s no wrong way to destroy things in Just Cause 3. Try attaching vehicles to other objects with your grappling hook, or use explosives to cause massive chain reactions.
- Vehicle Combat: The game offers a huge variety of vehicles, but each one handles differently. Spend time learning the controls for each vehicle to maximize your effectiveness in combat situations.
Important Features of Just Cause 3
Several standout features make Just Cause 3 a thrilling experience for action fans, delivering nonstop excitement in a vibrant sandbox world:
1) Expansive Open World
Medici is a massive, dynamic island filled with diverse environments and opportunities for chaos. From the tropical beaches to the mountainous regions, the world offers countless locations to explore and destroy. The scale and verticality of the map make exploration both visually rewarding and tactically rich.
2) Creative Destruction
Whether it’s blowing up oil rigs, hijacking enemy convoys, or using the grappling hook to send enemies flying, Just Cause 3 excels at letting players use their creativity to wreak havoc. The destruction feels satisfying and unscripted, encouraging improvisation at every turn.
3) Over-the-Top Action
The game embraces its over-the-top nature, allowing players to perform stunts, destroy massive structures, and engage in explosive firefights, all while feeling like a true action hero. The inclusion of slow-motion effects and stunt mechanics adds to the cinematic thrill.
4) Vehicle Variety
From ground vehicles to planes, helicopters, and boats, Just Cause 3 offers an immense variety of vehicles, each offering unique ways to interact with the world and engage in combat. The seamless transition between them adds to the game’s fluid sense of movement and chaos.
5) Endless Chaos Opportunities
The game’s “chaos” system rewards players for destroying enemy structures and taking over territories, which opens up new missions and tools for chaos-making. This system adds purpose to the mayhem, making destruction feel both fun and meaningful in terms of progression.
Advanced Tips for Mastery
To master Just Cause 3, consider these advanced strategies:
- Chain Grappling Hook Moves: You can use the grappling hook to attach multiple objects together or to different surfaces, creating incredible chain reactions. Mastering this technique opens up endless possibilities for destruction.
- Take Out Enemy Generators: By disabling enemy generators, you’ll stop enemies from receiving reinforcements, making it easier to clear out bases and take control of territories.
- Use the Wingsuit for Quick Escapes: If you’re in danger, deploy your wingsuit to fly out of combat or escape from hostile environments. It’s also an excellent tool for quick traversal of the map.
Why Just Cause 3 Stands Out
Just Cause 3 stands out in the open-world action genre due to its emphasis on creative freedom, chaotic combat, and explosive action. The game’s sprawling environment and the sheer variety of tools at your disposal allow for moments of unexpected fun and excitement.
Whether you’re a fan of fast-paced action, vast open-world exploration, or simply enjoying the chaos of destruction, Just Cause 3 offers something for everyone.
Its dedication to providing a truly open and fun world makes it a go-to game for anyone who wants to experience what it’s like to be a one-man wrecking crew.
System Requirements
To play Just Cause 3 on PC, make sure your system meets these minimum requirements:
- OS: Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K / AMD FX-6300
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 / AMD Radeon R9 270X
- Storage: 60 GB available space
Whether you’re racing through the skies in a fighter jet, grappling your way across towering structures, or simply causing mayhem for the fun of it, Just Cause 3 delivers an unforgettable experience full of explosive action and endless fun.