Mercenaries 2: World in Flames Demo (EN/FR)

Oil is way more important than you may believe, especially since many people have died because of it, innocent or otherwise. Since the Earth's supply is slowly running dry, the biggest oil companies and nations around the world are fighting over who gets the last drop, which can only mean war and murder on a large scale.

Mercenaries 2: World in Flames is a third-person shooter that offers a more relaxed view on the situation, because, according to the main plot, the conflict can only mean that the big oil companies are willing to pay as much as it takes in order to hire mercenaries and resolve their issues. Thus, mercenary agencies are thriving and you get to play as one of these guns-for-hire, as well as take advantage of the cash to call in for supplies and ammunition whenever you're running low.

Right from the start, you can observe that the game is definitely not meant to be a grim depiction of war, but rather a colorful shooter with tons of guns and action at every step. Hence, RPGs, automatic rifles and grenades are a must-have in your inventory, especially if you want to survive the endless hordes of enemies that swarm you as soon as you start the mission.

Since the maps on which the action takes place are very wide and open, you get to choose your own path and decide whether you want to go through the front gates, or find an alternative entrance with less tanks guarding it. To do so, you can get behind the wheel of any vehicle that you might stumble across, including jeeps, motorbikes and tanks, depending on how you much of a target you want to be. Regardless of your choice, you must keep in mind the fact that once you make yourself seen, every enemy out on the map is aware of your location, so you have to be quick about it and avoid getting shot from every direction.

From a technical standpoint, the game benefits from a very powerful and good-looking graphics engine, as well as realistic physics that renders breathtaking explosions and destruction all around you. On the other hand, the actual shooting mechanics are a bit weird and you might find yourself unable to aim properly at the enemies, since the third-person perspective is not a very wise choice for this genre.

In the end, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames suffers from quite a lot of design flaws and various other inconveniences, but you can learn to ignore them as you clear a path through the middle of the city with the help of an airstrike. Hence, the fun factor is definitely worth it, not to mention the complete freedom you have when it comes to advancing through the missions.