Joystiq impressions: Saints Row 2 (360/PS3)

by Zack Stern { Apr 4th 2008 at 10:00PM }

Never before has a videogame so accurately allowed characters to pantomime taking a dump on a slain enemy. Years from now, when every game has a dozen user-selectable taunts built into it, we'll all look back on August 26's Saints Row 2 as the game that started the virtual dumping trend. And as this article was posted, in the comparison between Saints Row 2 and GTA IV, only the former could claim the virtual, pantomimed dump. Your move, GTA IV.

There's more to Saints Row 2, and the rest of it also caters to adolescent boys (or the adolescent boy in us all). You can play co-op with a friend online and just fly helicopters, drive boats, race cars and motorcycles, and otherwise play in the updated Stillwater setting. If you want to follow the story missions--purported to be "darker" than the original by developers--you can both drop in and out of a single-player game in a way that keeps track of each players progress, so you don't miss any content.

But, who are we kidding? THQ had fans of Saints Row at "pantomimed dump."

Gallery: Saints Row 2

Saints Row 2 is set in the same town as the original, although the developers say it's about 45-percent bigger. Partly underground areas and aircraft give it a sense of height.

And customized characters continue to play a big role. When creating the ideal thug, gamers choose body attributes -- female characters are now included -- clothing, and even favorite gestures. Yes, the pantomimed dump is only one of a few dozen gestures that characters can perform. Others include "thumbs up," "you're dead"-style neck slice, and the popular, "I'm pretending that your corpse is fellating me." Your gang headquarters is also customizable from the pool table to the stripper pole. Seriously, I can't make this stuff up.

Fans of Saints Row -- or this sub-urban action genre -- will appreciate other updates. You can grab a human shield in a firefight, and enemies will likely hold their own. New weapons are available, including satchel charges for the perfect I'm-walking-away-slowly-while-something-blows-up Michael Bay moments. New vehicles, including fixed-wing aircraft join the setting. And in vehicle missions, for example, one player (or the AI) can pilot while the other can fire guns.

All together, Saints Row 2 seems like a worthy successor to the original. It's offensive, explosive, potentially humorous, and a big playground.

Tags: gtaiv, open-world, saints row, saints-row-2, SaintsRow, sandbox, thq

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

playwhutyalike @ Apr 4th 2008 10:07PM

Went to get Saints Row at Target today, they didn't have it so I picked up GTA SA for 5 dollars.

Man, I love me some RT as the gas pedal. The shooting still kinda blows, but, come on. 5 dollars.

dslsd64 @ Apr 4th 2008 10:44PM

matter of principle, isn't it?

Hala Madrid!!! SSBB Code:3866-7729-0830 @ Apr 4th 2008 11:12PM

5 dollars well spent buddy

NES FANBOY (Yes my console is better than yours) @ Apr 4th 2008 11:24PM

@hala madrid

He's not your buddy guy!

Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 5th 2008 12:38AM

@ NES
He's not your guy friend!

mike shea @ Apr 5th 2008 4:01AM

he's not your friend, buddy,

Levi @ Apr 7th 2008 5:47PM

Your buddy guy he's friend, not

Fox318 @ Apr 4th 2008 10:08PM

Can't wait for both Saints Row 2 and GTAIV. Saints Row is really starting to create a unique image for itself.

theturtle363 @ Apr 4th 2008 10:08PM

well that's better box art than the guy with gold tin foil teeth

theturtle363 @ Apr 4th 2008 10:09PM

or like that guy in the last SR2 thing said, it looked like he ate ferro rocher candy without taking the wrappers off

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 5th 2008 5:37AM

Diamond encrusted skulls in Saints Row 2, CONFIRMED

refinedsugar @ Apr 4th 2008 10:10PM

I have been shot ... repeatedly. Pour a forty on me, would you, kind sir.

ManekiNeko @ Apr 4th 2008 10:26PM

Are you guys going to be this cynical when you review Grand Theft Auto IV? All signs point to "no."

Cal @ Apr 5th 2008 9:57AM

They probably don't like the fact that a company other than Rockstar dared to make a good crime sandbox game (or hopefully two)...

ChooChooCharlie (Brawl: 1504-5357-9285) @ Apr 5th 2008 10:34AM

Cynical?

To me, it sounded like they had a positive view of the game. I think they found the whole "taking a dump" thing to be funny, not a negative aspect.

Geist @ Apr 5th 2008 5:25PM

I'm not cynical about this because it's not GTA4. I'm cynical because I feel that if I were to try to play this, I'd get so sick of the characters, style, and setting that I'd be unable to proceed more than 5 minutes.

ApolloIV @ Apr 4th 2008 10:27PM

The games shit. It doesn't have fitty

tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 4th 2008 10:29PM

Well at least this confirmed that yet again this won't be nearly as funny as a GTA game. Sorry but I haven't been 12 in almost a decade so I don't consider taking a shit on someones chest "funny". Just another thing as I said earlier today in the article with that ridiculous picture that's sending this game into a downward spiral of unprecedented shittiness (oh look i too can pull off saints row's lame humor)

driven2sin @ Apr 5th 2008 1:23AM

another 10 years and you'll think it's "sexy"

Leggo @ Apr 5th 2008 1:07PM

I haven't been 12 in well over a decade, and I think it's brilliant. Welcome to the inverted bell curve of male maturation.

Max @ Apr 4th 2008 10:30PM

So after I team kill you, I can take a dump on you. Sweet!

(Seriously, SR's MP was garbage)

Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 4th 2008 10:33PM

Wait, let me get this strait. There's a built in taunt of teabagging? Saint's Row 2, you just made my rental list.

grex9101 @ Apr 4th 2008 10:39PM

dude, that ain't teabagging....:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teabagging

Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 4th 2008 11:18PM

Others include "thumbs up," "you're dead"-style neck slice, and the popular, "I'm pretending that your corpse is fellating me."

Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 4th 2008 11:23PM

So unless the character pulls the dead corpse's head up to his/her crotch, then I'm guessing it'll be a teabagging. Though the post never went into much detail on it, I just see a teabagging to be a bit more practical and less offensive overall.

the pl4gue @ Apr 4th 2008 10:45PM

I can't wait for this game to come out. I LOVED Saints Row and am anxious to see the story and new gangs and such in Saints Row 2.

Also, to have drive by shootings with my friend Nate.. This game is going to be awesome.

John McPoop @ Apr 5th 2008 12:19AM

This game looks pretty weak to me. I never played the first game and I will most likely never play the second iteration. I have a problem with the racial profiling in the games concept art. I could care less if anyone else does not have a problem with it or takes it as satyrical. For me this games has zero appeal. I have never liked the GTA series all that much either and I never even played the last iteration of the series. It just doesn't appeal to me. I might try out GTA IV because of the online component but it will have to be heavily focused of co-operative gameplay like Army Of Two did.

Synner @ Apr 5th 2008 4:05AM

If you are totally uninterested, then why read/post in the-- OH I get it, trolling

John McPoop @ Apr 5th 2008 4:32PM

@Synner

So I should only post about games I want to play???

This is a BLOG.. The entire point is for readers to give their opinions about the topic... The word "troll" is used way to frequently .... In your world the only post's about a topic would be nothing but gushy love festivals ...