The PlayStation 2 version of Mercenaries 2: World in Flames is the sequel to 2005's Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction, released in North America on August 31, 2008. The original version was developed by Pandemic Studios for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows, while Pi Studios developed the PlayStation 2 version, with Electronic Arts as publisher. The game is set in Venezuela, with Jennifer Mui, Mattias Nilsson, and Christopher Jacobs returning.
The PS2 version of Mercenaries 2 featured many differences with the PS3, 360, and PC versions.
Gameplay[]
Unlike the 7th gen versions, the PS2 version of Mercenaries 2 utilises the same engine as Playground of Destruction, and features similar gameplay while introducing some new features also in 7th gen World in Flames, as well as unique features of its own.
New features[]
- The player can now swim, as well as utilise water craft including jet skis, civilian boats, and military vessels.
- Instead of the Merchant of Menace, the player must visit various faction contacts and complete missions which unlock vehicles in their respective stock. Purchasing these vehciles adds them to the player's stockpile which can be ordered into the field by the player once Ewan is recruited. Certain vehicles, including ground vehicles, helicopters, and some boats can also be stockpiled at the PMC and delivered in the field.
- Hijacking now features a small minigame which rewards the player with extra resources if completed successfully.
- The game's map is now one large, seamless world, instead of being divided into two separate regions.
- It is the only Mercenaries game with the "Covert Sniper" weapon.
Differences with 7th gen version[]
- The PS2 version lacks any local or online co-op.
- No trophies or achievements.
- The game features many reskinned vehicles from Playground of Destruction, along with many unique vehicles not seen in either PoD or 7th gen World in Flames.
- Many contracts have been completely changed, modified or are completely different.
- Spare Parts are not available as a collectible, instead replaced with Fuel Cans, Cash Pellets, Dogtags, Briefcases, Pirate Chests, and Schematics.
- The PS2 version features new characters, as well as omitting characters from the 7th gen version.
- All of the weapons are re-used from the original Mercenaries, none of the new World in Flames weapons are in this version with the single exception of the "Covert Sniper".
Storyline[]
- "Always pay your merc!"
- — The Merc's golden rule
Main Article: The Betrayal
The story follows the player's hunt for Ramon Solano, a druglord who contracted the player's mercenary for a job. Following a militaristic coup, Solano becomes the dictator of Venezuela. He uses his position to seize control of the country's oil supply, resulting in an international incident and distress among OPEC. Alongside Solano's Rebel Forces, a large portion of the Venezuelan army fiercely support the dictator's cause. The other rebel forces, in opposition to Solano, have risen under the name of the PLAV--the People's Liberation Army of Venezuela. Soon, numerous other factions join the fight for control of Venezuela's oil. Among them: The massive Universal Petroleum Corporation and its private military; the Rastafarian Pirates (the equivalent of the Russian Mafia), People's Liberation Army of Venezuela (PLAV), China's People's Liberation Army, and the Allied Nations. These five forces will inevitably form the backbone of a war to determine the fate of the country's oil supply.
Betrayed, the player's mercenary will ally him/herself with any of the other factions to get even with Solano, and make some money along the way...
Trivia[]
- A set of debug tools can be utilised by playing a modded version of the game.