Ian: can some1 give me a quick synopsis of just cause 2 - i need to decide if it is my sort of game.
Barefoot_Monkey: It's basically an over-the-top action movie translated into a game. You're sent to a South American micronation to cause chaos after a regime change that was against US interests. 3rd-person shooter, lots of guns and even more explosions, emphasis on movement. Your character has a grappling-hook device strapped on his wrist which he can use to pull himself toward things at high speed, and an improbable supply of parachutes. It's not a game to take too seriously, but rather a vehicle for doing the most out-there stunts possible (these stunts aren't scripted events - you do them of your own accord).
It's not exactly the type of game I go for but it's just so well-executed that I really enjoy playing it. The frequent parachuting reminds me of MDK :)
^This. It's one of the most brilliant fooling around sandbox games, and a lot of fun. One time I stole a speed boat, crashed it into an oil rig, attached a bunch of dudes to explosives and sent them flying, stole a helicopter, strafed the tower, got shot down, jumped out and landed into another speedboat, and sped away as the crashing helicopter destroyed the tower behind me in a big explosion. It was pretty awesome as far as over-the-top action goes.