Joystiq impressions: Mercenaries 2
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jul 12th 2007 at 2:58PM }
Much like Burnout Paradise, Mercs 2 is played in a virtual sandbox that feels lonesome, even boring without the company of a human co-player. Luckily, Pandemic will include full co-op support (though unlike the E3 Burnout preview, this feature was not on display). Without the promised structure of a hearty narrative and "three-dimensional" characters, our demo felt like long stretches of the first Mercenaries game, as we leveled structures and mowed down unsophisticated AI combatants with little purpose.
The danger of many open-world titles is the possibility of wondering off onto redundant tangents that don't offer much to discover, just more to destroy. Ironically, as much ballooned, generic action as Mercs 2 provides, it feels like a niche game. A fun buddy romp for sure, but Mercs has now slid out to the peripheral of our radar, no longer a must-look-for during this year's rich holiday season.
Note: Xbox 360 box art is used above to reflect that Pandemic and EA are currently previewing Mercenaries 2 on Xbox 360 only.
Gallery: Mercenaries 2
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
steve @ Jul 12th 2007 3:02PM
The first one was awesome, looks like this'l be good 2.
sirpilf @ Jul 12th 2007 3:07PM
lol that last comment thrown in just to do whatever they can to try and make 360 look better.
CaptNink @ Jul 12th 2007 3:09PM
They've used that comment for PS3 boxes as well. It's to keep fanboys (such as yourself) from jumping the gun and proclaiming the game "exclusive" to the platform.
Ty101691 @ Jul 12th 2007 3:10PM
... the first game was awesome so you can almost instantly assume this will be even better... the only problem i had with the last one was the repetitiveness... who honestly wanted to play through the whole thing again... but anyway GO MERCS 2!!!
Vidikron @ Jul 12th 2007 3:13PM
Wait... so did Joystiq try to knock this game by saying it felt like the first game? I LOVED Mercenaries. If this game is like the first one, but with co-op added... I'm all over it. This game is still firmly near the center of my holiday purchase radar.
Shagittarius @ Jul 12th 2007 3:14PM
That is the stupedist Xxxxtreme to the maxxxxx character on that cover art as I've ever seen. Nothing I identify with at all...please change the retarded box art.
manic @ Jul 12th 2007 3:19PM
@ CaptNinkIts
ok sony fanboy, I love u, we all do. So its ok to start kissing up. You want a sandwich. :}
CaptNink @ Jul 12th 2007 3:44PM
LOL!
How am I a Sony fanboy all of a sudden?
Ty101691 @ Jul 12th 2007 3:20PM
... yeah they do need to change the box art it is stupid...
Shagittarius @ Jul 12th 2007 3:23PM
I think its the bleached faux-hawk that really pisses me off.
Ryan @ Jul 12th 2007 3:55PM
I like the box art. Never cared for that character in the original game probably won't like him in the second game, but the box art at least is trying something different by incorporating the title into the picture.
And Shag... I think it would be more troublesome if you did identify with the blow everything up civilans are obstacles mercenary.
manic @ Jul 12th 2007 4:07PM
@ CaptNink
Don't worry, we love u. You want an ice cream sandwich...fanboy. :}
dork @ Jul 12th 2007 4:08PM
how could this game seem boring? you musta been in the wrong conference..maybe you were reviewing wii fitness or something
A @ Jul 12th 2007 4:17PM
first one was an alright game, but the lack of narrative def hurt it. still, i've always been looking forward to this for the online co-op, and still am.
CaptNink @ Jul 12th 2007 4:25PM
I admit I am a sony fan. So what! Thats why I am so hot!
And yes I want a sandwich! mmmmmmm....So hot and lonely. I hate u manic cause I love shit! mmmmm...love joystiq. :}
CaptNink @ Jul 12th 2007 5:44PM
Wow manic...nice job stealing my UserID. I think you gave it away though....dolt.
:D
TiaMaster @ Jul 12th 2007 4:25PM
First was good, but Hulk: Ultimate Destruction ended up being more fun in the end. Definitely, need a sequel to that game.
CaptNink @ Jul 12th 2007 6:41PM
Thats why I am a jackass I love joystiq. I ate shit. manic u impersonator!
CNash @ Jul 12th 2007 6:59PM
Hang on - is there literally zero narrative or characterisation, or is it the same as the original? Because the original was fine - mop up the Deck of 52 in war-torn Korea. Simple.
baby sea tuna @ Jul 13th 2007 8:46AM
No, the original was fun but it got real old, real fast. In fact, I still don't know one single person (including myself) who played that game for more than 3/4 of the way through.
Spongie @ Jul 14th 2007 9:10AM
Saw this game running it had major pop up issues...