Open World

Game Description: In Just Cause, you take on the role of the flamboyant Rico Rodriguez—a specialist in regime change. The island of San Esperito is suspected of stockpiling WMDs and it's your job to negate the threat to world peace. This little tropical paradise is about to implode as various factions vie for power. Play the island's factions off against one another; incite a rebellion among the masses; or build alliances with rebel forces and drug cartels. Explore over 250,000 acres of mountains, jungles, beaches, cities, and villages. The island can be explored by land, sea, and air—at your disposal is one of the most varied and exciting array of vehicles ever seen in a video game. Wealth of missions side-missions, bonus missions, and many more—plenty of action throughout the islands Your support team, Sheldon and Kane, provide you with reconnaissance info, extraction and vehicle drops.

On a September 2004 episode of X-Play on the G4 Tech TV cable network, Way of the Samurai 2 was reviewed and given the negative rating of two out of five stars. While everyone is entitled to their opinion, what I found particularly disturbing was this comment: "The open ended gameplay is similar to Grand Theft Auto 3 (GTA3), but at times feels too loose." Why did X-Play decide the two were similar in gameplay?

According to ESRB, this game contains: Strong Language, Violence, Blood, Drug References 

After reading Scott's main review for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, I wondered what I could possibly add. Scott's writing is always a tough act to follow, and he covered it all— gameplay, story, sociological aspects, role-playing elements, and even the optional cornrows. I agreed with everything he touched on, so I sat down looking for words I could say that he didn't. It was tough, but eventually I did come up with something—"ten."

Game Description: Carl Johnson left the San Andreas neighborhood of Los Santos five years ago, when it was being ripped apart by drugs and gang violence. When he returns in the early 90s, his mother has been killed, his family has fallen apart and his childhood friends are criminals. When crooked cops frame him for murder, he decides to save himself and his family by taking over the streets. Side missions help develop skills that come into play later—from working out at the gym to gambling in a casino.

That funeral scene, along with a touching moment when a grieving son walks into his now empty childhood home and looks at his dead mother's photograph, are surprisingly emotional moments, moments that had me checking the disc to make sure that I'd loaded up the right game. Has GTA gone all Dr. Phil on me?

According to ESRB, this game contains: Strong Language, Severe Violence, Blood and Gore

While the story is a great one presented in an engaging fashion, it's just not enough to save Mafia as a whole. The bland graphics, clunky controls, and atrocious load times (nearing 40 seconds in some instances) are nearly insurmountable shortcomings. Mafia and publisher Gathering may make you an offer, but believe me, it's one you can (and probably should) refuse.

Game Description: Start out as a hitman, enforcer or getaway Driver -- you'll have to complete missions to earn the respect of other mobsters, plus Don Salieri himself. Deal with rival Morello family while controlling your rackets -- see if you can run all the gambling, extortion, smuggling and prostitution in the city. You'll need patience, skill and accuracy with a Tommy Gun as you fight your way through 20 dangerous missions. High-speed car chases, bootlegging, assassinations, bank robberies and more -- you'll have to do it all and avoid getting caught by John Law. Just remember, your actions have consequences -- don't hit any innocent people unless you want heat from the cops, and don't cross Don Salieri unless you want to wear cement shoes!