Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction for the PlayStation 2 is an open-world, action-adventure game developed by Pandemic Studios and published by LucasArts. Released in 2005, this military-themed game offers players the freedom to explore, strategize, and complete missions in a war-torn North Korea, choosing from various factions with different alliances and objectives. Known for its vast destructibility, freedom of approach, and mix of shooting and tactical gameplay, Mercenaries became a cult favorite for fans of sandbox-style action games.
Key Details:
•Release Date: January 10, 2005
•Genre: Action-Adventure, Third-Person Shooter, Open World
•Modes: Single-player
•Setting: Fictionalized war zone in North Korea, with various cities, villages, military outposts, and terrain
Story and Characters:
•Protagonists: Players choose one of three mercenaries, each with unique backgrounds, personalities, and skills:
•Chris Jacobs: An American mercenary known for his toughness and combat prowess.
•Jennifer Mui: A British-Chinese operative skilled in stealth and negotiation.
•Mattias Nilsson: A Swedish mercenary with a rebellious attitude and expertise in heavy weaponry.
•Plot: The story centers around a volatile situation in North Korea, where a coup has resulted in multiple factions vying for power. The main antagonist, General Choi Song, seizes control and threatens regional stability. The player, as one of the mercenaries, is hired to capture or eliminate “Deck of 52” targets, consisting of military leaders, crime lords, and high-value targets with bounties. The story progresses as players navigate faction relationships, strategically choose missions, and complete high-stakes objectives for different groups.
Gameplay and Features:
•Open-World Exploration:
•Players can freely explore a large, open-world map, including urban areas, military bases, forests, and mountains. The map is populated by numerous factions and high-value targets, encouraging players to plan their routes and objectives based on faction territory.
•Players can commandeer vehicles, fly helicopters, and traverse large distances on foot or in various ground and air vehicles to explore the war-torn landscape.
•Factions and Alliances:
•Mercenaries features several factions, each with unique characteristics, missions, and relationships with the player:
•Allied Nations: The international peacekeeping force.
•South Korean Forces: Seek stability in the region.
•Chinese Military: Have their own regional interests.
•Russian Mafia: Focused on profit and smuggling.
•Player actions influence faction relationships. Completing missions for one faction may strain or improve relations with others, as each group has competing goals. Players can accept jobs from each faction but must manage alliances carefully to avoid hostile responses.
•Destructible Environments:
•The game is known for its destructibility, allowing players to destroy buildings, vehicles, and structures with various explosives, airstrikes, and weaponry. Players can call in airstrikes or use heavy-duty vehicles like tanks to level enemy bases, adding a strategic layer and spectacle to the gameplay.
•Destruction is key to completing certain missions, particularly when tasked with capturing high-value targets hidden within fortified locations.
•“Deck of 52” Targets:
•The Deck of 52 is a unique gameplay feature where each target corresponds to a playing card suit and rank, representing different levels of enemy operatives.
•Each target can be captured alive for a higher bounty or killed, giving players a choice between stealthier, strategic approaches or all-out assault.
•Combat Mechanics:
•Mercenaries incorporates a mix of third-person shooting, vehicular combat, and tactical decision-making. Players can equip a range of weapons, from assault rifles to rocket launchers, and use military vehicles like tanks and helicopters.
•Combat encourages adaptability, as players need to balance their approach with the availability of ammo, explosives, and faction response to their actions.
•Vehicular Gameplay:
•Players can drive or commandeer a variety of military and civilian vehicles, including jeeps, tanks, and helicopters. Vehicles serve as both transportation and combat options, allowing players to quickly adapt to changing mission requirements or escape hostile zones.
•Airstrikes and Supply Drops:
•Players can purchase airstrikes, supply drops, and other tactical items using funds earned from missions and captured targets. Airstrikes are particularly valuable for eliminating heavily fortified structures or overwhelming enemy forces.
•Supply drops provide health, ammunition, or vehicles, enabling players to restock and continue their missions without returning to base.
•Dynamic Mission Structure:
•The open-world setup allows players to take on missions in any order and approach objectives from multiple angles. Some missions are directly related to capturing Deck of 52 targets, while others serve faction-specific goals.
•Missions are varied, including assassination, base assaults, escorts, and defense, providing a wide range of scenarios for players to experience.
Graphics and Presentation:
•Visuals: Mercenaries features detailed character models, diverse environments, and a realistic day-night cycle. The graphics emphasize war-torn environments, with destroyed buildings, abandoned areas, and military zones contributing to the atmosphere.
•Soundtrack and Sound Effects: The game has an intense soundtrack and realistic sound effects, especially during combat and explosions, enhancing the game’s immersion in a chaotic war zone.
Reception and Legacy:
Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction received critical acclaim for its open-ended gameplay, destructible environments, and blend of action and strategy. The game was celebrated for its innovative “Deck of 52” mechanic, offering a unique bounty-hunting style of play within an open-world format. Although some technical flaws and AI issues were noted, Mercenaries is remembered as a groundbreaking title that influenced the sandbox genre and military games with a similar emphasis on freedom and destruction. The game’s popularity led to a sequel, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, which continued to build on its legacy of large-scale destruction and faction-based gameplay.