Mercenaries 2: World in Flames

By Reuben Ellett

Mercenaries was released on the original Xbox and the Playstation 2 into the hungry hands of sandbox-style enthusiasts. It enjoyed a long reign as one of the most fun games of the time. Now Pandemic Studios has announced the release of the sequel to 2005's Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction. It boasts a new country to decimate as well as new vehicles, new airstrikes, and new weapons.

Mercenaries 2 is set in Venezuela during an oil crisis. You are hired by Ramon Solano, a politician for the Venezuelan government, to rescue one of his generals from kidnappers. Easy enough, but once you return to Ramon for payment he decides that you should be off his property and out of his life, much like those south Canterbury farmers. After being sprayed by a few bullets and making a narrow escape you decide to show this Ramon bloke what it is to be a Mercenary. Time to show Venezuela a good time, explosive style.

Many improvements have been made over the previous game. The new vehicles are now a challenge to hijack as there is now a mini-game relative to each vehicle. The player must hit the right buttons at the right time to coincide with the hostile take-over going on between your character and the enemy piloting the vehicle. The animations for hijacking have also been vastly improved over the old ones. Instead of just chucking a grenade into the tank you are trying to claim there will be a soldier waiting for you with a handgun and the will to kill.

The array of vehicles has now been vastly improved as well. Motorcycles and boats will now make a first-time appearance in the Mercenaries universe, providing a new environment of combat upon the water and the convenience of a light and fast two-wheeled vehicle. Helicopters, tanks, trucks, cars, and APCs will also be making an appearance on the battlefield. And of course with the touch of a button you can order in certain vehicles from your PDA.

Mercenaries 2 will be releasing on the Xbox 360; PS3, PS2, and PC around August of this year. Keep your eyes peeled and gun loaded for a full review of the game from your fellow Mercs at NZGamer.com!

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