Just Cause 4 Reloaded

Let's get the obvious thing out of the way first: yes, the graphics are worse than JC3. Sometimes laughably so - at distance everything looks like a toy box. The destruction really is the whole point here, and it's a massive step up compared to JC3. Way more structures can be completely dismantled (beyond the classic white and red stuff from the past games, which do return), with more opportunities for chaos to spiral out of control in exactly the way one wants from a Just Cause game. I initially wrote this off due to the rougher presentation, and seemingly quick turnaround after JC3 - I assumed it was a bit of a rush job (Dead Rising 4 energy) but I couldn't have been more wrong. I feel a bit bad it took me this long to actually pick it up and give it a chance. What surprised me most is that this feels like the real follow-up to JC2 in a way JC3 never did. I enjoyed JC3, but the biome diversity just wasn't there and it ended up feeling bland and samey. JC4 actually gives you distinct regions to get lost in, and the exploration is top tier because of it. Curiosity gets rewarded. Go poke at the weird thing on the horizon; there'll be something there. The missions are repetitive, no argument. And the story is mid-to-low - but it's a Just Cause game, so I was never expecting a masterclass in storytelling - I just want to blow some stuff up, and it's good in that respect. If you want a schlocky, physics-brained playground where you tether a helicopter to a fuel tank and see what happens: pick it up on sale. You'll get exactly what you came for.