The problem with Saints Row 2 is that it's always going to be compared to Grand Theft Auto IV. You can hardly blame people for doing so, since the original Saints Row was a shameless copy of the GTA series in many respects, but the sequel looks to be taking open-world crime games in a very different direction from Rockstar, and THQ wants people to be reminded.
"We have a very differentiated product in this open-world genre," says THQ chief executive Brian Farrell. While GTA IV went for deeper storylines and realistic city life, Saints Row 2 is all about "silly, over-the-top gameplay" and is promised to be very "tongue-in-cheek."
Saints Row 2's promotion has certainly emphasized its focus on silliness and mindless fun, and I think it's an excellent direction to take the series in. The original Saints Row's attempts at serious storytelling fell flat on its face, so if that gets swapped out for senseless inanity, I think we'll have a game that can hold its own against Rockstar's more "serious" Grand Theft Auto IV.
This all depends, however, on whether the game can pull off comical stupidity well. I have my apprehensions, but remain quietly hopeful.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
6:11 PM on 06.19.2008
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GTAIV was more of a chore than anything else. They took way too much out for me to be able to pat them on the back and tell them they did a "good" job. All they did well was suck out all the fun and interesting gameplay aspects from the series.
At least we know for a fact SR2 is trying to ADD more things to do than TAKE THEM OUT, like IV. That alone makes me wanna buy it. Hell, I may even trade in GTAIV and put the credit towards SR2, just because.
Oh.
[img=http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/8074/2590658245ebf4f39038dl7.jpg]
That chick is holding a fucking *katana*
Yours truly went into GTAIV expecting flash, fury, and gang battles. I came out playing Saint's Row and San Andreas again.
@Ratcliff
Uh, you *did* read the part about over-the top gameplay, right?
GTA4 is dragging for me and I loved the first Saints Row so i'm hoping this will be great.
The series should have not tried to be a crime film and should have focused on being a fun game to play, because it failed at both, imo.
Fuck yes
:P
So I'm guessing you'll give it a better review?