Saints Row 2 review (PS3, Xbox 360)

There is no doubt that Grand Theft Auto IV set the bar so high that it is nearly implausible to find a suitable game with the same sense of style and uniqueness. Although the comparisons to GTA IV are inevitable, Saints Row 2 does not take itself too seriously. As a result, it turns into a more grossly unrealistic and less earnest experience. The storyline transpires right after the events of the original Saints Row. It commences with you being in a coma for many years, and you are seen in a jail’s hospital. You are fully recovered from the surgery and the coma. Consequently, you and an acquaintance of yours contrive a plan to break out of jail and reunite with the Saints. Since Saints Row 2 never takes itself seriously, it is best to take the plot with a grain of salt. It is what it is, and it is highly unlikely that anyone will care for any of these characters. The gameplay begins with an immensely detailed character customization screen. Gamers can alter virtually anything that can range from physical attributes to voice inflection. In addition, players can adjust the clothing that their characters can wear. After that, the gameplay starts with the aforementioned jailbreak sequence. While it is not as enthralling as the epic bank robbery mission from GTA IV, it is a pleasant way to start Saints Row 2. The primary objective is to conquer the city of Stilwater. Almost instantly, you are immersed in an ensuing rivalry between multiple gangs. Fortunately, there is a comprehensive GPS system and map to assist you in your mischievous endeavors. One of the main focal points in the gameplay is respect and earning respect. Gaining respect is done through countless methods. You can execute stunts, finish missions, dangerous driving, and practically everything heinous you can think of to increase respect. When your respect reaches a certain amount, there are more missions that are unlocked. Those dreaded escort missions are back yet again, and this entails leading a drug dealer to a particular location on the map. As a matter of fact, the gameplay is all about doing the most demented things that come to mind. You can go streaking; you can be overweight; you can pimp; you can race in various vehicles; you can dress yourself up like a Halloween character. There is even one mission where you have to spray manure all over houses in an effort to reduce the property value. The combat is also vastly different from GTA IV. For example, there is no cover system. Thus, you will be running and shooting simultaneously numerous times. The hold, grab, and throw feature is beneficial because you can simply hurl adversaries into oncoming moving objects. One drawback about the fighting is that the enemy artificial intelligence is absolutely abysmal. It is easy to loose track of the bevy of times where foes will completely ignore you and fire blindly at the farthest hostile. Another aspect about the combat is the fact that there is no automatic targeting scheme that is analogous to GTA IV. Instead, there is a rudimentary targeting reticule that changes colors from white to red when it scrolls over a foe. The multiplayer via PlayStation Network or Xbox Live entails a twelve player online cooperative mode or competitive mode. Cooperative multiplayer is far superior to the cooperative multiplayer available in GTA IV, and it is a rush to achieve a mission with a buddy of yours who is somewhere else. Moreover, the competitive multiplayer is intriguing as well due to the quick pace and engrossing firefights. There is a zombie mini game, but you are not going to want to spend much time on that. In terms of visuals, it is arduous to say that the graphics are stunning. Everything just looks so mundane, and the characters models seem like stiff plastic manikins. Some of the environments are expansive, yet they lack the same detail that is apparent in a game like GTA IV. Animations could also be better, and there are some mishaps with the frame rate. The audio is a real selling point. Voice acting is incredible, and there is levity in a myriad of scenes. The music is excellent, as there are appealing licensed songs that are played over the radio. Overall, Saints Row 2 is not the perfect sandbox game. Nevertheless, there are traits to it that make it a pleasurable game. You should not go into it expecting GTA IV. If you enter Saints Row 2 expecting inanity and amusement, then you will discover that there is enjoyment.

Art Direction 7
Some of the environments are expansive, yet they lack the same detail that is apparent in a game like GTA IV.
Audio 9.5
The audio is real selling point. Voice acting is incredible, and there is levity in a myriad of scenes. The music is excellent, as there are appealing licensed songs that are played over the radio.
Gameplay 8
Saints Row 2 is not the perfect sandbox game. Nevertheless, there are traits to it that make it a pleasurable game.
Presentation 7.5
Since Saints Row 2 never takes itself seriously, it is best to take the plot with a grain of salt. It is what it is, and it is highly unlikely that anyone will care for any of these characters.
Replay Value 8
There is a zombie mini game, but you are not going to want to spend much time on that. The multiplayer is thrilling, and it is where you will unwind.
Final Verdict 8 out of 10