Saints Row 2
Review
This is everything that GTA IV isn't
by MarvellousG
reviewed on X360
Filling in the gaps
Okay, lets get this out of the way first: Saints Row 2 is not as good as Grand Theft Auto IV. Now thats done, can we all get on with the review?
While GTAIV was lauded as Rockstars most recent epic, Saints Row 2 developer Volition Inc. saw past the ridiculous amount of high scores and critical acclaim thrown at GTA, and started examining the flaws, and, more importantly, what fans missed from older entries in the series. It seems that they made a giant check-list of everything that wasnt in GTAIV, and then translated that into a game. And its a bloody good one at that.
Forget about fine narrative
Normally Id start describing a game by giving the basic plot, but in Saints Row 2 the narrative is so close to being non-existent that you wont really care about it, bringing about the first and most obvious contrast with Grand Theft Auto IV. However, this also means that Volition didnt have to make missions according to any grand story-related set piece, meaning that almost every mission will be completely insane, filled with combat, car chases and sometimes extreme sports. Volition have actually made the perfect counter, and accompaniment to, Rockstars free roamer, as they have gone the opposite way, making one of the most ridiculous games of all time.
Easy controls and a lot to do
The shooting mechanics are decent enough for whatever youll be required to do in the game, with free aim being the only option available. It works well, and youll never be cursing the game for your faults in aiming; it will always be down to you. Other than that, your actions are largely the same as they were in (guess what) GTAIV, enabling you to sprint for a limited time, engage in hand to hand combat, but, surprisingly, you cant take cover. This can sometimes be an annoyance after were now so used to cover systems, but after the strategic side of your brain adapts, youll forget all about its absence.
But its not the controls that matter in a game, its what you do with them. And its here that Saints Row 2 really shines. The game is crammed full of diversions; side-mission-esque minigames that you can play at your leisure, or not at all. Examples include hostage mission when you hijack a car with a passenger still in it, or car surfing when you jump on the roof of another car. Or maybe youd rather spray property with sewage, decreasing its value? Or you could try base jumping, chucking Molotov cocktails at all and sundry, protecting a celebrity through violent means, pretending to be a copper and beating up criminals, gambling in the casino, or many more. Its here that the game actually bests GTAIV, as there are so many fun and often hilarious activities on offer you will rarely get bored.
8.0
fun score
No Pros and Cons at this time
