Anyone who ever played Saint's Row knows that the game was GTA but dipped in neon and wearing a clowns nose. Instead of drabness, Saints Row was quite colorful and really did not take itself seriously. I really enjoyed the game where I tended to get bored with GTA and other clones of that nature. After I went and bought a new Xbox360 (damn red ring), my second game purchase was Saint's Row 2.
00:00-00:10: I was disappointed with the three voice choices of males being either British, 'gangster' or latino. I went with a red haired chap that sounded right out of South London. I found the charactor creation pretty deep. Many of the choices sets the tone that this game, as with the first, knows that some people just wants to look as mess up as they can.
00:11-00:14 - I went with the tutorial. I always prefer games that weaves the teaching into the game instead of something dull. SR2 does this by throwing you into the action. The option to skip the tutorial takes you a shorter path but still fun. I'm going to try to avoid spoilers the best I can with this little review. The game sets up a bit of the back story but I recommend people play the first game to fill in the gaps. In the first few minutes of real action, there is plenty of car crashing and the making of pretty little explosions. Fun.
00:15-00:30 - I hate sandbox games sometimes because while I enjoy going in different directions, I also don't want to feel completely lost. Fallout 3 gave me that feeling. Once on the mainland, you are left to your own devices. Saint's Row map system covers alot of ground. If you pick where you want to go, your minimap will show you the way. It was pretty easy to get to the first set of missions. Get some clothes. The customization of your clothing is already decent without having to unlock stuff. I went with the tough guy look of black t-shirt. I figure later I will get something new so why spend all my money. From there, off for a pint. I didn't want to walk so I jacked a car. The bar was maybe a minute from me. I drove around for a good ten minutes cause I liked the songs on Mix (80s songs). A complaint I had about GTA was I didn't like the music. SR2, from what I can tell already, has a great soundtrack. (that and I got distracted running over people to the great sounds of Ah-Ha).
00:30 - ?? - Once you hit the strip club/bar, things starts up. This is another part where the humor of the series comes out but it still really helps if you played the first game for the supporting cast. Your old running budddy is going up the river unless you get him from the courthouse. There is just something about tearing the place up getting your buddy that brings a tear to my eye. After getting your friend out, you will need to do missions to get your rep up. Your reputation is how you can go further down the main storyline. That was fine with me cause I remembered the ones from the original. Using the map, you can find all sorts of locations for missions. My first happened to be my favorite, Mayhem. Basicly? Blow it up. All of it. You run around with unlimited firepower with the goal of doing a set amount of property damage in a set amount of time. Some people might think shooting people with a rocket launcher is overkill. I don't.
This is the point where I just lost track of time. I know I said my first hour but I looked up at the clock during this and by the end, three hours passed. It became a game of just one more mission.
PERSONAL VIEW: I think this is one game you should play the first one for the story elements. That being said, this game is a blast. There is a reason many put it as one of their top games of the previous year. It seems lately that the overhyped games are trying to do too much. Saint's Row 2 gives you things blowing things up, driving fast, and escorting hookers on their 'dates'.
Isn't that what we all want?
00:00-00:10: I was disappointed with the three voice choices of males being either British, 'gangster' or latino. I went with a red haired chap that sounded right out of South London. I found the charactor creation pretty deep. Many of the choices sets the tone that this game, as with the first, knows that some people just wants to look as mess up as they can.
00:11-00:14 - I went with the tutorial. I always prefer games that weaves the teaching into the game instead of something dull. SR2 does this by throwing you into the action. The option to skip the tutorial takes you a shorter path but still fun. I'm going to try to avoid spoilers the best I can with this little review. The game sets up a bit of the back story but I recommend people play the first game to fill in the gaps. In the first few minutes of real action, there is plenty of car crashing and the making of pretty little explosions. Fun.
00:15-00:30 - I hate sandbox games sometimes because while I enjoy going in different directions, I also don't want to feel completely lost. Fallout 3 gave me that feeling. Once on the mainland, you are left to your own devices. Saint's Row map system covers alot of ground. If you pick where you want to go, your minimap will show you the way. It was pretty easy to get to the first set of missions. Get some clothes. The customization of your clothing is already decent without having to unlock stuff. I went with the tough guy look of black t-shirt. I figure later I will get something new so why spend all my money. From there, off for a pint. I didn't want to walk so I jacked a car. The bar was maybe a minute from me. I drove around for a good ten minutes cause I liked the songs on Mix (80s songs). A complaint I had about GTA was I didn't like the music. SR2, from what I can tell already, has a great soundtrack. (that and I got distracted running over people to the great sounds of Ah-Ha).
00:30 - ?? - Once you hit the strip club/bar, things starts up. This is another part where the humor of the series comes out but it still really helps if you played the first game for the supporting cast. Your old running budddy is going up the river unless you get him from the courthouse. There is just something about tearing the place up getting your buddy that brings a tear to my eye. After getting your friend out, you will need to do missions to get your rep up. Your reputation is how you can go further down the main storyline. That was fine with me cause I remembered the ones from the original. Using the map, you can find all sorts of locations for missions. My first happened to be my favorite, Mayhem. Basicly? Blow it up. All of it. You run around with unlimited firepower with the goal of doing a set amount of property damage in a set amount of time. Some people might think shooting people with a rocket launcher is overkill. I don't.
This is the point where I just lost track of time. I know I said my first hour but I looked up at the clock during this and by the end, three hours passed. It became a game of just one more mission.
PERSONAL VIEW: I think this is one game you should play the first one for the story elements. That being said, this game is a blast. There is a reason many put it as one of their top games of the previous year. It seems lately that the overhyped games are trying to do too much. Saint's Row 2 gives you things blowing things up, driving fast, and escorting hookers on their 'dates'.
Isn't that what we all want?
