Saints Row 2 producer Greg Donavan has expressed confidence in his game going up against Rockstar's flagship title, the anticipated and sure-to-be controversial Grand Theft Auto IV. The two games are very similar, both being sandbox crime spree titles, with the original Saints Row sometimes coming off as a cack-handed and even desperate attempt at capturing GTA's feel, though admittedly adding a few refinements along the way and improving the combat.
Similarity and the GTA series' headstart do not worry Donavan, however. "Frankly we wouldn't be releasing this year if we didn't think we could be competitive," stated the Saints Row producer. "I think co-op is a huge distinguishing factor. Unless they're really holding something - I don't think they are - I think that's a big plus for us."
Co-op has become a bigger selling point of late, so it's true that Saints Row 2 has a chance to compete if its co-op system is superior. However, until they change the awful Respect system (I don't want to engage in childish pimp missions constantly to get to real ones) and hire script writers that weren't turned down by Rockstar for trying too hard to be edgy, then I'll remain suspicious of the game becoming a GTA beater.
That said, plenty of others still see Saints Row as a superior improvement over Rockstar's titan franchise, so who knows? We can only wait until both games are on the shelf before measuring which is the greater.
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Contest:
7:18 AM on 03.05.2008
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As long as they bring back Freckle Bitch's, I'll welcome a sequel. Actually, I probably won't play either of these games, but that's just personal preference.
As far as the humor and story telling, okay, it was a little trite. But from what I've seen it appears they have listened to the criticism and are fixing pretty much everything, so I'm sure the story and writing will get a similar upgrade.
Will it be better than GTAIV? Doubtful. Will it be a fun experience with lots of fun to be had? Quite.
We all know they aren't adding your oblivion style furry character creation anytime soon. lol
Gta4 is the reason im picking up an xbox soon, I've been a fan of the series since 97 and every new installment of the series was phenominal. Part 4 is looks like another winner from all the previews.
Does this make the game perfect, no. But I'm a sucker for sandbox games. That's why two of my favorite games on the 360 are Crackdown and Saints Row (combined with Bioshock and Mass Effect)
In terms of gameplay and control, Saints Row was worlds better than GTA.
In terms of story, GTA really took the cake. Then again, I hated San Andreas. Really really enjoyed Vice City.
Also, if you experience Saint's Row's story in the sense that it's meant to be an overblown mockery of the modern cowboys-and-indians gang warfare culture in a "what if suburban white kids' idiotic perception of street gangs actually were the case?" sort of way, it instantly becomes a masterwork in modern storytelling. Just sayin'.
And, low and behold, i really liked the game. Production values were high, gameplay was fine (even with its faults), and overall it was a pleasant experience. I finished the game, but will get back to it to get all the achievements as soon as my dead 360 returns...
So, bring on SR2. I'll give it a try.
That said, GTAIV looks to not just improve on GTA3, but to take the game in whole new directions. I think SR2 will continue improving on the original formula, while GTAIV will attempt to be something different. GTAIV will obviously sell better than SR2, but I see no reason why both can't exist at the same time. I think SR2 will meet the sales expectations. I'll be picking up both.
-side note, I've been curious if GTAIV would "borrow" elements from SR, like the gps system, portable mp3 player, improved radar, etc. From what I read in the most recent EGM, they did include a lot of those elements. Competition ftw. We're all benefitting from SR whether you liked that game or not. The targetting system in GTAIV, sadly, does not work like SR though. It's pretty similar to the GTA3 aiming system, at least in the current build EGM played.
but.... gtaiv is gtaiv... sorry guys youre done
I loved SR, and it was a unique experience from modern GTA games that made it well worth the time and money.
Plus the drive by system and GPS were waaay better than anything GTA:SA had to offer.
I Lolled at the subtitle in the image. :O)
Btw, I'm not really that interested in Saint's Row. GTA yeah, but Saint's Row, I can't be bothered.
I don't know about you but I freaking LOVED the voice over work on Saints Row. All of the swearing and the hilariously funny lines in the game (I'm looking at you Escort Missions) and more. Still, I will get both
Saints Row had a great story and great mechanics that didn't put me off the whole game like San Andreas.
GTA 4 is going to be an amazing game though and you'd pick it everytime due to production values alone but as has been said before, there's a massive gap between the releases so it's pretty irrelevant anyway.