Just Cause 3 Gameplay Reveal Trailer Stars Rico Rodriguez: the Michael Bay of Video Games

Every once in a while, the video game stars align and we are blessed with something so dumb, so ridiculously stupid that we are forced to question the seriousness of our own existence in a fit of existential confusion. With all the talk of broken releases, paid mods and ethics in games journalism, we often forget just how dumb video games are, and more than that, we forget to laugh at ourselves. Well folks, Rico Rodriguez is back, and he’s here to teach you how to embrace your inner idiot.

If we take a second to analyse the core themes of Avalanche Studios’ Just Cause 2, it is clear that the 2010 classic was a hard-hitting exposé on the political and socio-economic effects of tyrannical dictatorships in South East Asian territories. “But Tom, I thought it was a game about hanging off the undersides of jets and grappling onto rapidly ascending gas canisters.” Wait… you know what, intrepid reader, you’re right. I was getting my themes mixed up with the other 99% of the games industry.

Yes! At its big dumb heart, Just Cause 2 was really a game about messing around, doing ridiculous things and generally just having a laugh. And you know what? It’s looking like the sequel is set to be the exact same thing. For once, I can even say that with relative confidence because there’s actual gameplay in this trailer ladies and gents. Real, in-engine gameplay. In this dark age of video games, where expecting to see footage of the game in its reveal trailer is arguably naïve, it’s quite nice to actually see some.

I mean, just look at it. There’s grappling hooks, busses ploughing through statues of vitriolic dictators, and a slow, dramatic cool guy walk. It just looks fun. If nothing else, it’s a nice little reminder to not take ourselves too seriously, eh?