The fifth game in theJust Causeseries,Just Cause Mobile, was first announced during The Game Awards 2020, with a recent trailer airing at the Square Enix Presents showcase. The new title focuses on single-player and co-operative modes, though there will be PvP multiplayer as well. However, what is notably absent is anything resembling a Battle Royale mode.
The popularity of Battle Royale has risen massively to dominate the online-gaming scene over the past few years. Therefore, it’s surprising that a franchise likeJust Causewould ignore the potential. It’s even more surprising becausetheJust Causeseriesseems to be made for Battle Royale. In fact, all of the previousJust Causegames feature elements that are shared by the most popular Battle Royale titles out there.
Sprawling Island Maps
The first step to recognizing thatJust Causeis the perfect franchisefor a Battle Royale is simply looking at the game’s maps.Just Cause 4’s setting of Solis is a sprawling, intricately-designed island dominated by several different biomes. Players can find themselves going from red desert to mountain range to tropical rainforest over the course of the game. It’s not just the latest entry either; everyJust Causegame so far has been set on a different island.
While they would certainly need to be scaled down for a Battle Royale, these maps are the perfect jumping-off point.A good Battle Royalemap needs strong boundaries, which makes using an island the most elegant solution. In addition, a good map must also have enough terrain variation to prevent players from getting bored. Battle Royale games are designed to be played over and over, and it’s up to the map to offer new scenarios with each new game.
A Legacy of High Mobility
One shared feature of themost popular Battle Royale titlesis that they give players a great deal of mobility. Very few mainstream Battle Royale games limit players to a single mode of movement. InFortnite, the combination of the Building Tool and Gliders give players a wide range of vertical and horizontal movement options.Apex: Legendsinherits a toned-down version of Titanfall’s mobility system, allowing players to climb, slide, and zipline their way across the battlefield.
Just like these games,Just Causehas always had a focus on player mobility.Just Cause’s movement systembegins with the Protec Grappler G3, a grappling harpoon gun that allows players to quickly pull themselves around. In addition, players can also use the Grappler to connect two points by rope, allowing for some real creativity.
The Grappler is supported by the Parachute and Wingsuit items. These infinitely reusable items allow players to grapple themselves into flight, para-sail behind vehicles, and generally improve the Grappler’s capabilities. This movement system would be perfect for a Battle Royale, particularly as it also functions as a way for players to attack and hijack enemy vehicles while on foot.
A Fully-Stocked Garage
As with many open-world titles, vehicles play a large part in theJust Causeseries. While players are highly mobile with just the Grappler and Parachute, vehicles are still superior over long distances. The mechanics of using, riding, and hijacking vehicles could really helpaJust CauseBattle Royalestand apart from its rivals. With vehicles ranging from scooters and minivans to artillery trucks and attack helicopters, there would always be plenty of variety to keep the game fresh.
It’s this diversity that’s at the heart ofJust Cause’s Battle Royale potential. With a wide range of vehicles, high-mobility third-person gameplay, and sprawling island maps, there are few franchises more ready to embrace the subgenre. While they may not have done so withJust Cause Mobile, the series will be one to watch for Battle Royale fans in the future.
Just Cause: Mobilewill launch free for Android and iOS in 2021.
