Mercenaries 2: World in Flames (ps3: 2008): Reviews

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Mercenaries 2: World in Flames


8.0

based on 21 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 28 votes
Read user comments
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GAMES:

Mercenaries

Official Website

Mercenaries 2: World in Flames is an explosive open-world action game set in a massive, highly reactive, war-torn world. A power-hungry tyrant messes with Venezuela's oil supply, sparking an invasion that turns the country into a warzone. But for you, international crisis is all upside: You are a mercenary, and you profit from chaos. Mercenaries 2 features a slew of potential clients, all willing to pay you to do their dirty work. Dirty deeds, done for exorbitant fees. These are world powers with deep pockets, deep grudges, and enough arms and ammo to start World War III. This is your kind of environment. Mercenaries 2 features the latest and most dangerous in civilian and military tech, everything from shiny new sports cars, to the future-tech satellite-guided bunker-busting mini-nuke. Tanks, APCs, boats, luxury automobiles – you name it, you can have it delivered to you in real time. And if you run out of cash you can always 'acquire' the gear you need in the field. If you see it, you can buy it, steal it, or blow the living crap out of it. Play your own way, or play with the help of a friend in the new cooperative multiplayer mode. You are not a soldier. You don't have to play by anyone's rules. You have your own code: you will fulfill the terms of the contract, no matter what. Not everyone in the world of Mercenaries is as honorable. Everyone will try and screw you, given the chance. They think they can get away with it, because they don't know rule #1: EVERYBODY PAYS. [Pandemic Studios]

PUBLISHER:	Electronic Arts
DEVELOPER:	Pandemic Studios
GENRE(S):	Action, Adventure, Third-Person Shooter
PLAYERS:	2
ESRB RATING:	T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE:	August 31, 2008

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

1UP

It won't light the world on fire, but this next-gen playground of destruction offers you tons to do (well, tons to explode), it's always enjoyable, and I dove right back in after the credits rolled.

GameZone

There are not many surprises here, but there is a lot of action and a great deal of entertainment value. Bigger and more robust than its predecessor, Mercenaries 2 is a solid action-adventure ride that combines role-play elements, solid characters and a sense of fun.

Game Revolution

Occasional hiccups or no, having this much open-world freedom to come at the enemy any old way you see fit is just too much damned fun.

Worth Playing

It's a good game that's prevented from being great by sub-par graphics, a few too many bugs and an overall lack of any serious challenge. If you can look past these shortcomings, however, Mercenaries 2 offers a great deal of high-energy explosive thrills and seriously satisfying action gameplay that is well worth your attention.

IGN AU

A heap of fun.

GameSpy

Mercenaries 2 is a lot of fun if you don't get bogged down by its rough-hewn minutiae and relish the simple pleasures of blowing things up.

GameDaily

World In Flames has a satisfying amount of destruction, whether you blow up an oilrig with a well-armed helicopter or bring down a building with C4 and gas tanks. It's engaging and exciting, especially if you play co-op.

GameTrailers

World in Flames delivers on what it tries to be--a high octane playground of destruction.

IGN

For every time I cursed the stupid AI, I cheered at the demolition of another building. For every bug that got me stuck in some bushes, there was an attack chopper waiting to be jacked. If Mercenaries 2 had more polish, it would have been a great game. As is, it’s still worth playing – and enjoyable – but falls far short of its promise.

Gamer 2.0

The game is worth a rental and a purchase if you want to keep your destruction going. So if you’re looking for a fun game, check out Mercs 2.

DailyGame

Blowing stuff up with a buddy absolutely rocks, but the AI is anything but intelligent and the graphics are a bit disappointing.

Game Informer

I suppose it’s fitting that Mercs 2, like most topics bearing the weight of political posturing, is ultimately flaccid. But that doesn’t stop me from expecting more.

Cheat Code Central

Having to muddle through numerous menus to use the game's impressive airstrikes, travel all over the map to find work and shops, your inability to find a gun that fires straight, and a serious lack of challenge hamper what would otherwise be a fun and destruction-filled romp.

PSW Magazine UK

Mercs 2 is disappointing because its execution doesn't live up to its ambition. Though big and bold, There's a feeling that you've played it all before. And you have.

Jolt Online Gaming UK

Mercenaries 2 is arguably a bigger and more ambitious game than the original, but it feels less polished and less satisfying.

Playstation Official Magazine UK

It's not brilliant, and it's not terrible. Instead, it hovers in a murky region between the two. [Oct 2008, p.90]

ZTGameDomain

Mercs is all explosions with little care given to the wrappings. The lack of real story actually keeps the game playable and in the future Pandemic may be better off forgoing the pretense of plot.

3DJuegos

Only the unconditional fans of the most frantic and brainless action will find joy in World in Flames. Mercenaries 2 fails in its work to jump into the Next-Gen, and it´s because of repetitive and clumsy gameplay. Abundant Bugs, little difficulty and short term boredom are the main negative points of a game that only shines in the destructive way.

VideoGamer

Once you get past the terrible opening missions and start blowing things up with massive explosions there's a game here that is worth a look, but it's criminally unpolished and as such will leave many gamers rather unsatisfied.

G4 TV

Mercenaries 2 won't entice those expecting glitch-free gaming, diverse missions, gritty realism, and cerebral combat. Yet for the run-and-gun crowd, it's escapist entertainment worth seeking out just for the sheer amount of chaos you can create within the colorful jungle setting. It’s not long, it's not deep, but it's never boring, especially with a friend.

GameSpot

Mercenaries 2 is filled with bugs and glitches that are unacceptable in a retail release. Even if it were possible to overlook the broken elements, you're still left with abysmal AI, repetitive mission structure, unsatisfying weapons, and a huge world without much to do.

The average user rating for this game is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 28 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Alex R. gave it an8:
Now is this game perfect? No. Is it worth a try? Definentally. If you loved the last game you'll love this one too. With this sequel being WAY more expancive than the first (in almost every aspect imaginable) this is a must buy for any free-roam style gamer (especially fans of the last game)!!

Devon gave it a9:
If you liked the first Mercs, then I would say definitely get this game. The game offers so many vehicles, weapons, and ordinances. Not to mention you actually get a nuke. The story wasn't as deep as MGS, but in a game where everything is about blowing stuff up do you really need a blockbuster story? If you can look past the minor glitches and decent graphics then definitely check this one out. Did I mention you get a nuke?

Ken H gave it a10:
When I first played the game 3 days ago on my PS3, I wasn't sure about it. There were little annoyances and things I was nit picking about. I was horribly unimpressed with not being able to shoot through spaces on oil derrick looking objects (many different sizes and shapes) when I was taking cover behind them. But I stuck it out and now I haven't put the game down for 3 days solid. There are over 150 vehicles in the game alone. The sheer size of the game world when opened is amazing. This is easily my favorite ps3 game ever and I like most games and very picky about quality. There are a few glitches here and there that are in every giant sand box game. First and only game I have given a 10 to simply because I can't seem to put it down and that's not happened to me since WoW first came out. The variety of the vehicles is so distinctly different. You can capture anything, detroy everything, and when the last 2 factions enter the game as you advance through the story, it's endless pandemonium. I can also state this game is solid on the PS3, none of the tearing and graphic glitches I am hearing from Xbox owners. System selling title in my book. I imagine computer multiplayer will be amazing if they ever get 16x16 player (or more) players going at each other. This game is set up for it.

Will B. gave it a9:
If you enjoyed the first one, you'll love this one just as much. Blowing up bridges, causing road blocks, blowing up buildings with c4, all are enjoyable. For me, worth a purchase, but I would recommend renting it and seeing if you like it if you never played the first one.

Aerin E. gave it a9:
as a huge fan of the first Mercenaries, this game made me happy... though not as polished as some might expect, it still looks really nice, and while the glitches do happen none of them were bad enough to ruin the fun factor...and i never had to reset the game to fix one :-P highly recommended if you like Micheal Bay movies (explosions).

Dan S. gave it a9:
A few small control and camera issues, but its easy to see past them. I'd say this is one of the best sandbox games I've played. It combines elements of several others to create a great mix game play. I sat and played it for 5 hours the first time I put it in. It seems to be a mix of GTA 2, GTA: San Andres, True Crime, Assassins Creed, Hit Man and many more. Its something of an evolution of the genre filtering out some elements while combining the others that have worked well in other titles.

Manny M. gave it a9:
If you loved the first game you'll love this one. The hijacking sequences give it a nice cinematic flair. And it feels less linear than the first game. You'll feel right at home with the gameplay if your a veteran from the mercs 1. The graphics are what you'd expect from a game with big beautiful explosions and a large environment. Some textures aren't too great but its still eye candy. I actually think it looks better than gta4. If you like the action of the first game or are just looking for a new sandbox action game this one won't disappoint.