The Saints Row franchise has always suffered the problem of being compared to its older brother, Grand Theft Auto. People scrutinized the games first attempt, comparing it pixel by pixel to San Andreas. In a vain attempt, fans sought to give the game a new identity, saying you couldn’t compare the two games, it was like comparing apples to oranges. Alas, if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it’s going to be called a duck.
However, since we want to compare games, comparing GTA IV to Saints Row 2, is like comparing apples to apples. Except that second apple is candy coated making it a hell of a lot more fun…
Story
Saints Row 2 picks up a few years after the final events of the first one, with our MC waking up from the coma caused by the boat explosion in the first game. Your city that you once ruled is gone, as are you gang.Three new gangs have taken over Stillwater, as well as the mysterious Ultor Company, whose role in your attempted assassination is unclear. The game follows the MC’s quest to get his or her city back, and restore the Saints to power once again.
Without giving too much away, each gang is unique in their own way. The Brotherhood have sort of a Neo-Nazi kind of feel to them; The Sons of Samedi remind me to James Bond’s movie Live and Let Die; and the Ronin come off as a cliché Triad gang. There are no softies in this one people. At some point all three gangs will attempt to break their foots off in your respective asses.
Perhaps the most disappointing piece of the game is that the story line doesn’t answer what happened on that fateful night at the boat. The game makes an attempt to answer some of the questions, but that doesn’t take much to find, I found it before doing even 1 mission. It just takes a bit of curiosity.
Rating: A-
Gameplay:
This is where the apple gets candy coated. I don’t say this a lot, but it should be illegal to have this much fun in a video game. Campaign mode offers a nice little co-op, with partners being able to move in and out seamlessly without disruption of the game. It’s almost too inviting to grab a partner, and raise hell in the city. Side missions and activities can be performed with a partner as well, and anything earned during activities stays with you even after you leave.
The game thrives on pure customization. From the jump,you’re invited to make your gang member into whatever your heart desires, manor woman, hood or freak, it’s all up to you. Your houses, referred to as cribs,are customized from the bed you sleep on; to the TV you have, right down to the type of stripper pole your crib contains. Even your gang can be customized in to ninjas if you so desired. Even the way to take a rival gang member out was be customized, from nut-shots and head shots, to sticky satchel charges and chainsaws. Each style of killing earns you respect with your gang.
SR2 dominates where GTA IV failed, and that’s keeping your attention outside of missions. From riding on a flaming ATV setting anything and everyone in your path on fire, to riding around and spraying the locals with crap; the game keeps the laughs coming. Mechanics pretty much follow the first game, with a major addition being the over the shoulder look for better accuracy. Cars drive fairly well, however certain ones don’t handle well after a boost of Nitrous at full speed. The highlight has to be the motorcycles, fastas hell and twice as fun to drive.
The new over the shoulder aiming system rocks out loud,giving better sight to hordes of enemies. Smaller weapons can be dual-wielded,and there's a pretty good variety of weapons. Some are classics from the first game; others are brand new and pack a whole new punch. Try the shotgun that fires at a rapid rate like a pistol; or the rocket launcher that locks on.
Rating: A+
Graphics:
The new Stillwater looks beautiful. Point blank. The city isrichly built, from the skyscrapers to the slums. It can get buggy though, I’ve seen buildings just disappear after high explosive activity, and free falling from the sky onto certain buildings can land you inside, with no way out.There's also a tendency for the graphics to cause the game to freeze, but these are seemingly few and far between.
Rating: B+
Sound:
The soundtrack isn’t too much to write about, featuring some well-known artist like Taking Back Sunday, Young Jeezy, My Chemical Romance, Neyo, and LCD Sound System. However,there's a funny little Easter egg, that’s worth 15 achievement points, for each voice, there are two songs on the radio that your gangster will sing. Mine happens to really like Night Ranger’s Sister Christian. If it comes on the radio, you just have to sit there and do nothing. They will sing. It will be hilarious.
Replay
Nobody ever said beating all the activities was the way to beat the game. Chances are there are plenty of tags you missed, hidden CDs to collect, and stunt jumps to be found. There is always something to do, and the online multiplayer isn’t too shabby either.
Rating: A
Overall:
Saints 2 will hook new fans, and drive old fans to beg for anew one. Its pure psychopathic fun, mixed with all the excitement of a sandbox game. There are moments in the story that I really felt for the MC, and personally swore revenge on the gangs of Stillwater. It does a good job of sucking you in and never letting go. Hell, when it’s all said and done, one might be tempted to ask the question, Grand Theft who?
Rating A
"Saints Row 2 (X360)" is on sale September 22, 2008 and is rated M. Action.
