We don't get the recent GTA IV backlash. At all. It's possibly the biggest spot of revisionist history since Marty McFly accidentally erased his entire family in Back to the Future Part 2. GTA IV was amazing. Deep down, everyone knows it. Though even we'd admit that once you'd ploughed through Niko's story, what remained was hardly the greatest example of raucous sandbox fun...
The anti-GTA IV, Saints Row 2 puts all this right. It's almost as if devs Volition took stock of the response to Rockstar's epic and, gazing past all the hyperbole and 10/10 scores, realised that huge swathes of the game's fanbase simply didn't care about ultra-realistic physics or Oscar-winning narratives; they just wanted to romp around in a hot dog suit pimping hoes, gutting peds with samurai swords and spraying cops with faeces. So they set out to make that exact game - and, it has to be said, have succeeded.
Saints 2's 'plot' - some guff about taking back Stilwater from a bunch of new gangs - is so wafer-thin it's barely worth a mention. However, any excuse for the utterly brilliant missions the game then proceeds to throw at you is alright by us. Where else could you blast away with an unlimited ammo rocket launcher while your homie throws his car off the roof of a mansion, or base-jump from the inside of a skyscraper after priming the joint with TNT? Reinforce all this with some suitably OTT vehicle handling and solid, satisfying combat and Saints 2 has the core gameplay to back up its manifold laughs and adrenaline highs.
Technically, it has to be said that Saints 2 is an absolute mess, with Stilwater still sporting all those weird visual issues (vanishing cars, lousy frame-rate, super bad pop-up) which plagued its predecessor. However, like Mercs 2 before it, the stench of the bargain bin bizarrely adds to the sense of riotous fun. Who cares if it doesn't look like much? This game has it where it counts: heart, or maybe balls. Also crucial to mention are the inspired Character Creation tools: the likes of Oblivion and Fallout 3 might pwn it in the technical stakes, but are you able to conjure up a smiling, obese transsexual Asian ladyman sporting sideburns and a mullet to rule over your empire in Megaton? Are you bollocks - freedom is absolutely key to Saints 2's appeal.
Then there's that genuine sense of achievement you'll feel as you progress through the game. You can transform your various hideouts from dumps a vagrant would consider beneath his dignity into bling cribs a Premiership footballer would covet. And hands up who fancies the idea of a ninja army cruising the streets in a fleet of pimped-up Lotus Elise-alikes? Yep, us too. The game's sense of ridiculousness (and imagination) is infectious, and helps you overlook the odd stupid flaw Also, seeing as we played through more than half the game as a crime-loving twosome we figured we'd better mention that Saints Row 2's co-op is brilliant.
So, turns out there's room in this world for both GTA IV and Saints Row 2, then. Truly, they are utterly opposite sides of the same sandbox coin. If you were in any way disappointed with Rockstar's return with Liberty City then we have absolutely no hesitation in recommending you buy this. Score one for the 3rd Street Saints.
Rob Taylor
// Overview
Verdict
A flawed but hilarious free-wheeling fun-pack, offering sheer larks.
I got the first game with my original 360, It was excellent fun, having never really played the GTA franchise I bought into the hype and picked up GTA4, the perfect game would have been the graphics of GTA with the madness of SR, I am really looking forward to this game.
Never been as interested in the Bling culture of SR as I was in the gritty nasty brutal gang stuff of GTA (especially 4). But it's good that at least SR fans have a decent game to play.
That said, if the pop-up and frame rate issues are even worse than GTA4, I couldn't play it. I remember the original SR adverts and I watched in horror as the PROMO material showed frame rate problems.
Never could get into GTA- I've played all for a descent chunk of time but I've found them dull... though the radio stations were always good to listen to.
I played Saints Row when it first came out too- and although it's still not my 'thing', it did seem to be a bit more fun.
As for GTA 4, I still have no desire to play it yet! I'll probably borrow it off a mate but I've heard so many people knocking it I won't keep my hopes up. The videos for Saints Row 2 do look hilarious though.
On another totally off topic note: Why won't my PS2 play PS1 games? All this talk of Colony Wars last week forced me to go and get a copy, but alas, I get a black screen of doom. Why? Wwwhhhyyy?
The review was kind of how I expected, a good game but nothing standout. I do love all the hate for GTA IV though, personally that was my favourite in the franchise (maybe im just getting a bit older) but the set pieces were brilliant and the writing and dialogue as usual spot on. If I get a better gaming moment than 'Three Leaf Clover' this year then I will indeed be a very happy Gamer.
Finally, best Co Op over Live? What about Left 4 Dead or Horde (Gears2)? Thats a big claim to give it the best Co Op tag. Interest noted.
It doesn't have trophies. There's an article about it on the homepage.
I will go check out Tesco on the way home from work. Ł15 ain't bad I guess. Maybe able to trade it in for more than that if I don't like it! Thanks for the tip there... but I'll be getting the 360 version. Sorry
Seems like a lot of people are passing judgement without having played the game.
I HAVE played the game and it really is great.
I didn't like the humour and 'gangsta' style in the first Saints Row, but SR2 seems to have matured immensely.
GTAIV was a great game in some respects, but it lost that fun-factor.
Saints Row 2 feels like the spiritual successor to GTA: San Andreas, which is a great thing.
Yes, the graphics are rough around the edges and the game certainly has more than it's fair share of bugs and glitches, but the difficulty with these reviews from big websites is that they have to write them many days in advance of the actual games release date. There was an update for Saints Row 2 this morning that is purported to fix a lot of the issues with the game. Personally after playing it for 5 days now, I would give it a 9/10. The co-op is superb.
Well that's horses**t for starters. I only completed GTA4 out of morbid interest to see how it ended. It was one of those games where you're not really enjoying it, but you'd be damned if you're gonna give up. Once I'd finished it, I VERY quickly traded it in.
Anyway I gave the first SR a try and must admit that it was fairly average at best, so I doubt I'll be bothering to pimp any more rides or bust any more caps in peoples' asses in the near future.
There's well over Ł200 worth of quality games being released this side of Christmas, so I reckon this game is going to struggle.
i've always been a massive fan of GTA, right from the beginning. One of my favourite parts of it was the fact that it was a stupid driving game where you could go on a righteous pimp killing spree, with some deluded vision of saving the world when in fact you're just murdering people. it was stupid fun. it was the Terminator 2 truck bursting through the bridge railings. it's the madness that was lost in GTA IV. Dark gang land killings is purely Mafia territory
Well that's horses**t for starters. I only completed GTA4 out of morbid interest to see how it ended. It was one of those games where you're not really enjoying it, but you'd be damned if you're gonna give up.
Agreed. It should be "GTA IV was overrated. Deep down, everyone knows it."
Rockstar created a brilliant virtual city with interesting characters and a somewhat compelling story, and then forget to fill it with any really entertaining gameplay or any sense of achievement.
It kinda nullifed the experience when Roman was begging me to do the last mission because 'we need the money', when at that point in the game I had over $1.5million and nothing to spend it on.
If every game had the production level and consistent quality of GTA IV (or any gta game) then the world would be a better place. People would dance in the streets and there would be peace throughout the universe.
Ok, maybe that's a bit excessive but if you want to play a game to cause total chaos, then play Saints Row instead of GTA. But to me GTA IV raised the bar and i'm sure there are going to be plenty of games copying them again and again.
I'd put GTA4 second in my all time favourite list,only behind ZeldaOT. I 100% get it and love just driving or strolling around the City,just taking in the whole experience Rockstar laid out for us.Agree with StoneCold about the Three leaf clover mission,gaming gold right there. Not gonna pick this one up though.
GTA 4 was fun for all of 4 hours and that was because of the excellent multiplayer. Whilst great at first the single player quickly became boring with repetative mission after repetative mission. I dont care how good the story is or the visuals overall the game is dull.
I've got Saints Row 2 on the way. I'm looking forward to the over the top fun its going to provide. I'm also hoping the multiplayer will be as fun as GTA's.
Well that's horses**t for starters. I only completed GTA4 out of morbid interest to see how it ended. It was one of those games where you're not really enjoying it, but you'd be damned if you're gonna give up. Once I'd finished it, I VERY quickly traded it in.
Well me, if they're charging full price. It always looked second rate to me anyway but seriously, why have a next-gen console if you're going to play cack like this?
I'd be one of those people who bashes GTAIV. It's everything Rockstar have done in the past but at its most basic. I couldn't even complete it. I still have it so I'm sure I will someday. As for this review, it's written like a list.
I remember the feeling when I first got a tank in GTA3 and went mental with it. The OTT stuff like cars exploding when they touch you was what really did it for me. GTAIV felt like it was trying to be realistic with physics and actual handling while driving but still tried to keep the OTT of the previous games and for me, that was it's biggest downfall. I can't say I've actually played SR2 but I remember the demo of the original. It was one of the best demos I have ever played. I remember marching into the other gang's territory with my guys in my car. Leaping out the car and going mental. An epic three way battle commenced between us, them and the police. That experience was what I was hoping would be in GTAIV but alas. Oh well, I may give this one a try.
As much as I think GTA IV was an awesome game technically, it wasn't fun. Never got through it, and I've turned it in. Pretty - and great storytelling - are truly great things, but when the gameplay is boring and repetitive, it just doesn't cut the mustard. I've adored all the previous GTA games, but IV just got boring. Never thought I'd say that about a Rockstar game.
However, SR was fun more than anything. Yes, you can look like a complete assclown if you want - but you can also choose not to. It was fun, a great "pick up and play" after GTA SA. The second installment looks to give me what I missed in GTA IV.
Here's hoping Rockstar aim a little more towards the middle for GTA V. Technical brilliance is fine, but I still need to have fun, instead of repeat the same drive across town 5 times. It's like they *tried* to make this a long epic game, simply by filling in tons of timewasting. Kinda' like WAR vs. WoW, really. I prefer straight to the point, when I'm gangstuh'ing.
You said before that this game is well worth 15 quid despite not rating it particularly well. Fair enough!
Later on, you say that you wouldn't consider getting it if trophies are not included as it it wouldn't be worth the price. So, which one is it?
I understand that you may prefer trophies over achievements but it seems you really resent the 360 for being noisy and cheaper than a PS3. Did it wrong you in a former life?
Even at 15 quid I wouldn't get this game, just because there are so many other games worth spending time and money on, on both PS3 and 360.
Bought this this afternoon, ain't played it yet though as my little brothers too busy playing PES. Kinda likes the first one so i'm sure i'll enjoy it to certain extent.
You said before that this game is well worth 15 quid despite not rating it particularly well. Fair enough!
Later on, you say that you wouldn't consider getting it if trophies are not included as it it wouldn't be worth the price. So, which one is it?
I understand that you may prefer trophies over achievements but it seems you really resent the 360 for being noisy and cheaper than a PS3. Did it wrong you in a former life?
Even at 15 quid I wouldn't get this game, just because there are so many other games worth spending time and money on, on both PS3 and 360.
I own this game and played it for 2 days straight not to mention a few hours the day before and still am only just under half way finished. I think that this is a rock solid game cause as far as Ive done it is all co op all the activities and everything. It is so fun.
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100% fun
OT. I 100% get it and love just driving or strolling around the City,just taking in the whole experience Rockstar laid out for us.Agree with StoneCold about the Three leaf clover mission,gaming gold right there.
it takes the p**s can any1 help
