Just Cause (video game series)

Just Cause
Logo utilized in the first Just Cause
Genres	Action-adventure, third-person shooter
Developers	Avalanche Studios
Publishers	Square Enix Eidos Interactive (2006–2010)
Platforms	Microsoft Windows PlayStation 2 PlayStation 3 PlayStation 4 Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox One
First release	Just Cause September 22, 2006
Latest release	Just Cause 3 December 1, 2015

Just Cause is an action-adventure video game series created by Avalanche Studios. The series currently consists of three games, Just Cause, Just Cause 2 and Just Cause 3. The games are open world and take place in tropical environments.

The series draws its name from the real-life United States invasion of Panama, code-named "Operation Just Cause".

Each installment in the Just Cause series features a story of multiple factions fighting for control of a small nation. Although all three games take place in real world locations (the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean) the islands are fictional and the games only draw inspiration from those locations. The player can partake in a variety of optional side missions, for example liberating a village or taking over a drug cartel's villa. In Just Cause these missions are generally quite repetitive, but necessary to gain points with certain factions. In Just Cause 2 the side missions became unique and more complex. When not taking on a storyline mission, players can free-roam and create chaos. However, doing so can attract unwanted and potentially fatal attention from the authorities in the form of "heat".

The core gameplay consists of elements of a third-person shooter and a driving game, with a huge open-world map to explore. On foot, the player's character is capable of walking, swimming and jumping, as well as utilizing weapons. Players can take control of a variety of vehicles, including cars, boats, airplanes, helicopters, motorcycles and even an underwater scooter. Players can also perform stunts with their cars in which they can stand on the roof and jump to another car, or choose to open their parachute whilst still in motion on the roof. Other key features of the game include parasailing (grappling onto a car while utilizing a parachute) and skydiving.

The open, non-linear environment allows players to explore and choose how they wish to play the game. Like many 'sandbox' style games, while storyline missions are necessary to progress through the game, players can complete them at their own leisure.

The core gameplay consists of elements of a third-person shooter and a driving game, with a large, open environment to move around in. On foot, the player's character is capable of walking, swimming and jumping, as well as utilizing weapons and basic hand-to-hand combat. Players can take control of a variety of vehicles, including cars, boats, airplanes, helicopters and motorcycles. Players can also perform stunts with their cars in which they can stand on the roof and jump to another car, or choose to open their parachute whilst still in motion on the roof. Other key features of the game include parasailing (grappling onto a car while utilizing a parachute) and skydiving.