Saints Row 2

[tombofsoldier]

Is awesome! The character creator is the most detailed I've seen next to All Points Bulletin. The first thing I did after the intro was jack a car, run over about 50 people, flip my burning car and then shoot at the police upside down while still in the burning car. Then I start the first mission, and it's actually funny! You've got to rescue a character from the last game, who's on trial for "Over three hundred and ninety seven counts of murder" and while using a bartstool to beat the shit out of people some guy yells "Inconceivable!" and runs away.

[Blue]

I agree. I got this for Christmas and have put in about 20 hours already since Friday. I'm almost done with the main story (about halfway through the Brotherhood missions which I'm doing last) and I am absolutely loving it. They really extended the world in a believable way, upped the character creator along with character/vehicle/crib customization, and expanded upon what activities they had. It's kinda cool, still, being able to drive by places you recognize from the first game and see how they've evolved over time.

Having said that, my only real complaint is that the missions aren't all that varied. I feel like a good chunk of them have a "been there, done that" to them and while that's to be expected after the first (and GTA IV), it really comes off like that just in the confines of the game itself. Most of the missions feel like overlaps to an extent just set in different parts of the city. GTA came off as much more varied to me, but that could just be how I'm remembering it. And too, the difficulty seems a bit toned down in Saint's 2. Not that that's entirely bad as the first had some amazingly aggravating moments that just came off as painfully cheap and I haven't run into any of those here just yet.

I'm also spending more time doing the activities than I figured I'd be. The septic ones rule and the fuzz is great too. The only activity I've found that I hate is the crowd control one where you fend off crazed fans. I'm stuck on the 3rd of 6 and no matter what I attempt, I can't get through it. Outside of that, no real complaints.

I enjoyed GTA IV for the story and the world it gave me, but Saint's does rekindle that feeling I got when playing Vice City and San Andreas. It's more campy. That isn't to say I dislike the direction GTA has gone (Liberty City is still one of my bigger "wow" moments this year), Saint's Row 2 just fills a wonderful niche. It's great having them both around for sure.

And, finally, if they ever made a game just focusing on Johnny Gat, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

[JayK47]

I agree. And it only gets better. It was one of my top 5 of the year. The game really takes customization to the next level. And it really improves over the original in pretty much every way. I really like the new side quests. Fuss and septic avenger are high quality. Don't skip over those two.

[tombofsoldier]

HA Haaa! There's a zombie arcade game, that's awesome.

[Deadend]

Blue, if you are having trouble with the bodyguard stuff... invite a friend in, EVERYTHING is co-op. Saint's Row 2 is an alternate reality GTA IV, in the best way.

[Rune_74]

It is an awesome game...love that you can buy music too....lots of fun stuff to be had here.

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Deadend

Blue, if you are having trouble with the bodyguard stuff... invite a friend in, EVERYTHING is co-op. Saint's Row 2 is an alternate reality GTA IV, in the best way.

Oh wow, I didn't realize that. I just assumed the co-op was more or less just you playing around in the sandbox. That's pretty cool and great to know. Thanks!

[National Kato]

Originally Posted by Blue

Oh wow, I didn't realize that. I just assumed the co-op was more or less just you playing around in the sandbox. That's pretty cool and great to know. Thanks!

Not only can you invite someone in for co-op anything, but in some cases, what you both are doing is completely different: e.g. during the Escort missions, one of you will be driving and trying to escape the television vans, the other will be in the back seat playing the 'pleasure minigame' and trying to bring your customers to orgasm.

Hilarity ensues.

[Blue]

Originally Posted by National Kato

Not only can you invite someone in for co-op anything, but in some cases, what you both are doing is completely different: e.g. during the Escort missions, one of you will be driving and trying to escape the television vans, the other will be in the back seat playing the 'pleasure minigame' and trying to bring your customers to orgasm.

Hilarity ensues.

Hopefully I'd end up driving as I can never manage to get past the first level in the pleasure minigame. Art imitates life.

[Lekon]

Originally Posted by Deadend

Blue, if you are having trouble with the bodyguard stuff... invite a friend in, EVERYTHING is co-op. Saint's Row 2 is an alternate reality GTA IV, in the best way.

Everything is indeed co-op, And more over Co-op is fun! Everything you earn is kept when you go to, or leave from someone's game. Its amazing for some of those harder "Pigs" missions, or the crime wave ones. If there's that one mission you just can't beat, join a bud, and poof, mission done, and you get the reward.

Plus, Co op is awesome for showing off all those cars/weapons you unlocked. Nothing quite like "Hangon, Ima get a ride" Then coming back with an attack chopper, or a monster truck, or just a pimp cane shotgun.

[National Kato]

Just be careful doing anything with someone who has cheats unlocked if you care about Achievements. I had to re-do an activity because the guy I was with had unlocked some stupid customization thing. Frustrating that my time was wasted.

[Purple Santa]

I completely forgot about SR 2 co-op. I have this in my backlog but I might have to push it to the forefront and play with ADD. She'll make me drive though as she's in the back seat doing the mini-game

[RandoM51]

Originally Posted by National Kato

Frustrating that my time was wasted.

If you were doing it just for the achievement your time truly was wasted, twice.