One of the best-looking games yet from Eidos, the 16-rated Just Cause is set in a vast tropical world which players can explore in a tempting array of almost 100 vehicles, including Jeeps, boats and helicopters.

Behind the handsome eye candy is an equally compelling caper involving corrupt governments, dodgy South Americans and Weapons of Mass Destruction. Where the game departs from reality is that here, at least, such weapons do actually exist.

Players sign up for a tour of duty with a secret American agency charged with triggering events to overthrow the gangsters and conmen who rule San Esperito. In a detailed world spanning 250,000 colourful acres, anything goes just as long as that evil ruling party loses its twisted grip on power — teaming up with drug barons is every bit as legitimate here as infiltrating the corridors of power. Missions can be picked off in any order and the gameplay is both robust and thoroughly involving, with a number of neat touches; fans of the Nintendo SNES classic Pilotwings will literally jump at the chance to parachute from any of the aircraft for spectacular views of the vast landscape below.

There is bound to be a sequel, because this original is so good.

TIM WAPSHOTT