Saints Row 2 (PS3) Review

Posted by Gregory McDougal on 11.25.2008

The Saints are back In Stillwater, but is it enough to beat Niko?





Saints Row 2
Developer - Volition
Publisher - THQ
Genre - Action
Players - 1 Offline 2-12 Online
Rated - M for Mature
Platform - PS3 (Also on Xbox 360)


The Saints are coming the Saints are coming. The Saints have returned. In 2006, THQ released the original Saints Row exclusively on the XBOX 360. It was dubbed as the “Grand Theft Auto Killer.” However, that did not end up being the case, not even close in my eyes. But to be fair, it had a few interesting missions to separate it from GTA (Insurance Fraud anyone). Also, the idea of creating your own character to play as in the story was a neat idea; however, the story was lame especially when you are use to playing GTA’s deep plot lines. Two years and five months later after the release of the behemoth “Grand Theft Auto IV,” the company has released “Saints Row 2” for the Playstation 3. Have the Saints learned any new tricks in Stillwater to keep up with Niko, or are they ready for the electric chair. Surprisingly, it has in most ways while faltering in others.

The story of “Saints Row 2” has your main character (the one you created in the original) in a hospital after being caught in an explosion from the first game. The Saints have all but vanished from the town of Stillwater with a few remaining. The surgeon has to reconstruct your face and this is where you create a whole new character. From ethnicity to hairstyle, the choices are plentiful. Now you can choose a voice for your character, which was sorely needed in the original. Once you make your character, you and another ex-con who wants to help out, try to escape from the hospital by any means necessary. After escaping, it’s on you to revive the Saints by recruiting new members and taking out other gangs to show them that just because you have been gone, you are long from forgotten. While the script is by no means Oscar worthy, it makes for an interesting tale unlike the previous installment.


Gameplay

The gameplay for part 2 is for all intents and purposes identical to the original, with some new additions. However, for various reasons it’s more enjoyable. The hand-to-hand combat has been improved, making it less frustrating. Interesting about melee combat is the idea of changing your fighting style once you get complete certain gang missions. For example, once you take out enough of the “Ronin” (a competing gang) strongehold, you can perform moves similar to Tae Kwon Doe. Seeing my Hispanic female character do three kicks and flip a character is almost priceless. The shooting, however, will be a love hate relationship with many. I personally do not have a problem with the free-aim shooting, although at times it can be frustrating especially if your health is running low and you want to shoot them before they finish you. Any game that allows you to kill someone by way of a samurai sword gets cool points.


This game is all about customization. From the way your gang looks as they walk about the town of Stillwater to the cars to even your gang’s logo as you spray it across town. Whereas “Grand Theft Auto IV” was intent on telling a story, “Saints Row 2” just wants you to go out there and do whatever you want while looking good. While I loved “GTV IV” in terms of story, characters and presentation; in relation to the side quests, that’s a different story. I didn’t enjoy bowling or playing darts with anyone. However, the side missions in “Saints Row 2” are great. From joining a fight club to defacing property with sludge, it’s fun and hilarious. All I will say is play the mission titled “FUZZ,” and you will see what I mean.

As fun as it plays, there are some issues. As with the first installment, I don’t like the idea that you have to earn a certain amount of respect to do story missions. You earn respect by doing various side missions. As stated in the paragraph above, the side quests are fun; you shouldn’t be forced to do optional quests (because they wouldn’t be optional). Also, A.I. can be stuck on stupid at times as some of your gang members will stand at doorways blocking your exit, as well as not shooting your enemies at crucial points in the game.


The Sons of Samedi are one of the gangs you must overthrow


Graphics

They are on the average side. It’s not hurtful on the eyes; however, it won’t do your HDTV any justice. It also doesn’t help that every now and then there are graphical glitches and hiccups. My character as badass as she is, should not be able to walk through certain doors. Also, whenever I play a mission involving two or more people when it’s time to make our escape, they just stand at the car costing us the mission. Finally, the way your character falls looks as though it’s running on the Playstation 1 engine.


Sound

The voice acting is pretty solid, which helps weave the story along. Having your character speaking this time makes the game more enjoyable than the mute that starred in the first one. As solid as the voice-overs are, it’s the soundtrack that steals the show. With artists ranging from Nas to Hall and Oates to Cassie, the music is on par with that of any GTA. Hearing the song “Don’t You Forget About Me,” playing while doing a drive-by is classic. My only gripe with the sound is that the NPC’s dialogue gets repetitive during times. Overall, much better than the first game’s over the top dialogue.



Everyone wants a crack at the Saints

Lasting Appeal

With so many things to do in Stillwater, you can now do them with a buddy. THQ has brought in Co-op online play, so you can create mayhem with anyone in the world. The multiplayer matches are a hit and miss, however.

The 411

“Saints Row 2” proves that there is room for more than one open-world crime game on a next-gen system. It’s not better than Niko’s adventure, but it’s a nice compliment to Liberty City’s tale. Whereas “GTA IV” proves you can build-up a great story, “Saints Row 2” shows you how much fun it can be to reach that tale.

Graphics	7.5	The graphics are nothing special, but the world is vibrant with color and people.
Gameplay	8.5	More enjoyable than its predecessor. Minor setbacks hold it from true greatness.
Sound	9.0	Solid voice acting mixed with a great soundtrack puts this up there with GTA IV.
Lasting Appeal	8.9	Even after you finish the story there are the side missions along with online multiplayer.
Fun Factor	8.5	I am still playing this great alternative to GTA IV.
Overall	8.5   [ Very Good ]