Saints Row 2

Platform: Xbox360
Developer: Volition
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Action/Adventure
Release Date: 2008-10-16
Rating: MA15+
Players: 1

RRP: $109.95
Our Price:$98.95

Saints Row 2 brings true freedom to open-world gaming. Players can play as who they want, how they want, and with whomever they want in this sequel to the much acclaimed and tremendously successful Saints Row. Set years after the original, the player finds himself in a Stilwater both familiar and strange and challenged with bringing the Saints back as the rightful kings of Stilwater and bringing vengeance to those who wronged him.

Gameplay

Saints Row 2 incorporates many new gameplay and AI features, made possible with a completely rebooted game engine after Saints Row was produced. The game will include additional weather effects. Rain and wind have dramatic effects on the landscape, notably altering the sea tides and roads.

The graphics in Saints Row 2 have improved noticeably; textures and dynamics have been reworked, so the city looks more realistic. Night-time lighting and shadows have dramatically improved, and explosions and visual effects have also been remodeled to become more real.

AI has been stated to be greatly improved in Saints Row 2. Pedestrians have said to come more alive, engaging in conversations, smoking cigarettes, opening up umbrellas at the chance of rain etc. Pedestrians have also been stated to have been remodeled to behave more realistically to player's actions.

Physics in Saints Row 2 have been redeveloped. The ragdoll physics from Saints Row will remain, however; car physics in Saints Row 2 have been remodeled, so cars handle and brake better. Also, a cruise control system has been introduced, which is said to make drive-by shootings far easier. Additionally, a car will no longer explode if rolled over onto its back.

Mid-mission checkpoints are introduced in Saints Row 2, with the game autosaving at certain points during missions.

From the beginning of the game, the map of Stilwater is fully visible. However, shops will simply be displayed as a question mark until the player discovers them. Additionally, as the player earns more respect, they can buy shops. Buying an entire chain of departments will mean that the protagonist's face appears on in-game billboard advertisements.

A point system has been introduced in Saints Row 2. The player earns points by upgrading their vehicles, clothes and cribs. Points act as a respect modifier, increasing the percentage of respect that can be earned.

• Combat and police response

Combat in Saints Row 2 offers additional features not seen in Saints Row. The player can still walk, run, climb, jump, swim, drive, engage in hand-to-hand combat and fire weapons. However, in Saints Row 2, the player can take human shields which can be used as cover in outdoor areas. When the player no longer needs the hostage, they can either kill the hostage, or push them away. Also, finishers are introduced in Saints Row 2. If three hits are dealt with the same button on an enemy, the player performs a quick finishing move.

Police are alerted when the player commits crimes, dispatched to the scene of the crime in order to deal with the perpetrator. As in Saints Row, there are five notoriety levels, which are gained gradually as the player commits more and more crimes. Notoriety levels are represented by an allotted amount of stars. At a one star level, police rely on non-lethal means to deal with law violators, using standard nightsticks, tasers and pepper spray. However, at two stars, the cops are actively searching for the offender, dispatching standard squad cars, and also police boats and helicopters if the chase leads to the sea or sky. Though still relying on non-lethal means, if the player opens fire on the police, they will respond appropriately. From three stars onwards, negotiation and arrest are no longer options. Human shields, even if they are police, will not be spared, as the police are now desperately trying to rid the player. At three stars, roadblocks are established, and police helicopters dispatch SWAT officers to help deal with the perpetrator. At four and five stars, the Tornado helicopter is introduced into the battle, unleashing torrents of firepower. The FBI are called in at five stars, using any means necessary to deal with the criminal. Police force will no longer use spike strips, even if the player is at a high notoriety level.

• Weapons
Many old weapons from Saints Row will be appearing in the game, however several new weapons will be included in Saints Row 2. Dual-wielding has also been introduced on submachine guns and handguns. Some new weapons in Saints Row 2 are chainsaws. sledgehammers, flamethrowers, katanas, stun guns and shock pads. Satchel charges are introduced, and can stick to walls, vehicles and even people The player can now pick up and use objects from the environment as melee weapons.
• Customization

Character customization has been expanded from that of Saints Row's. New customization options give the player more control over their character. Saints Row 2 gives the player the option of playing as a female, unlike in Saints Row, where the player was forced to play as a male. Additionally, the player can customize the character's appearance even further. The player is now given the option of customizing the character's age, height and weight, as well as their voice, walk, fighting style, taunts, facial expression and weapon holding.

Clothing and apparel customization has also been modified to become more in-depth. The player is given a wide variety of clothing to wear. Also, makeup may be applied to the character. Regardless of gender, the character can wear any item in the game. Customizing clothes gives the player more choice over how they wear their clothes, with additional coloring and layout designs. Also, there is a broader range of tattoos, which can now be applied to the face, and jewelery.

Crib and gang customization have been introduced as new features in Saints Row 2. The player can customize the 3rd Street Saints and the nine cribs they can dwell in. Cribs cannot be simply bought, but are unlocked at certain points in the game . The player can choose from three pre-set styles; cheap (rundown and dilapidated), classy (well furbished with basic walls and floors) and ultra-modern (stylishly decorated interior design). Additionally, the player can fully furnish the crib, with a wide array of items, such as pool tables, strip poles, minibars, pianos, lounges, TVs and more. Cribs serve as locations to hang out with fellow Saints, save the game, change clothes, access a weapon stash and customize the 3rd Street Saints. In terms of customizing the player's gang, a variety of clothing styles can be applied to the gang. Also, the gang's taunt and graffiti tag can be chosen. Also, the player can equip the gang with certain vehicles.

• Vehicles

In addition to an expanded list of land-based vehicles, several new vehicle types have been introduced in Saints Row 2. The player is given the option of driving up to five different motorcycles, each with unique designs and benefits. These bikes, like most cars, can be equipped with NOS, giving the vehicle a temporary boost. Additionally, quad bikes and monster trucks can be driven through the city. In addition to the new land-based vehicles, a new streaming system has seen the addition of boats and jet skis as water-based vehicles, both of which utilize the PlayStation 3's SIXAXIS wireless controller mechanism. Also, planes and helicopters can be flown around the city, with planes equipped with parachutes. Helicopters and planes also utilize the SIXAXIS feature. The D-Stroy UFO and PeeWee Mini Bike are included as additional in-game content to players who buy Saints Row 2 from GameStop. Additionally, a screenshot depicts a person riding on a skateboard in Stilwater, however, whether or not the player can utilize these skateboards as drivable vehicles is unconfirmed. As in Saints Row, vehicles can be customized. It has been stated that vehicle customization has become more in-depth, which sees the player given the option to tune the performance of their vehicle, as well as numerous other features.

• Respect

Activities were first seen in Saints Row, actions like street racing etc for earning money, and also Respect, in-game currency used to progress through the storyline. Saints Row 2 includes a number of new activities, and also previous activities which appeared in Saints Row. However, original activities have been touched slightly, making them different then they originally were in Saints Row. Activities will now span out over six levels, instead of the eight that were seen in the first game, and can also only be found twice in the game, instead of three. Developers did not want the players to think activities as a treadmill in progressing in the game, and thus activities have apparently been toned down.

Diversions are mini-activities in the Saints Row world, which can be performed any time, any where. Diversions involve the player carry out small actions eg pulling stunts in vehicles, BASE jumping and racing. Minor criminal misbehaviours also count as diversions, taking hostages, hijacking vehicles, theft etc.

About The Characters

• 3rd Street Saints

Broken and scattered at the start of Saints Row 2, the Saints are a gang comprised of various street-thugs and ex-cons. Once the kings of the city, the Saints have been forced out of their titular home of Saints Row by the Ultor Corporation, a giant conglomerate that gentrified the once poor neighborhood. Now operating out of an abandoned underground hotel, the Saints are looking to reclaim the glory that they lost several years ago.

• Ultor Corporation

The Ultor Corporation began as a clothing company and quickly developed into a major corporate contender, owning popular brands of many products. They funneled money into Saints Row to create a new skyline for the city and a new headquarters for their corporate office, driving the poor into other districts. Now that their re-engineering of Saints Row is complete, they're targeting the Shivington projects. They fuel gang wars and then watch as the district tears itself apart, waiting for the prime moment to move in and restructure the district at the expense of the poor and for the profit of their shareholders.

Ultor are leaded by Dane Vogel, popular businessman and Stilwater's 'hero', who seems to be involved with the Brotherhood after Maero takes a deal with Dane. Seen in the public eyes as caring and committed citizens, Ultor is determined to wipe out the 3rd Street Saints, no matter the cost, determined to gain an empire fuelled by their reign over the streets of Stilwater.

• Brotherhood of Stilwater

A Stilwater native long victimized by gang warfare and police corruption, Maero formed the Brotherhood from the cast-outs and dredges of Stilwater society. Ostracized for their status and their tattoos, he united them as a solid force of strength and intimidation intent on revenging itself upon the police and city. Because the nuances of money laundering and blackmail are beyond them, they simply drive up to a store in a large truck, charge in and take what they want. If anyone gets in their way, they kill them. Their definition of subtle warfare is excessively violent extortion. The Brotherhood flash their allegiance with numerous piercings and tattoos, bright colors, and gas-guzzling trucks.

The Brotherhood are intimately involved in weapons trade around Stilwater, importing and exporting illegal weapons around the city as a cash crop. Violence is a must, and negotiations are never seen as an option. The Brotherhood are a brutal gang, relying on sheer firepower and brute force to deal with their enemies, all in the quest for money and power. The Brotherhood don big cars, big muscles, and tribal tats to scare off any that stand in their way. Ruthless and aggresive, the Brotherhood are leaded by Maero. Maero's personal assistant, right-hand man and tattoo artist Matt assists in Maero's crime sprees and helps to finance the gang. Donnie, former Westside Roller mechanic, has joined the Brotherhood in a quest to regain his power. It becomes apparent that Maero takes a disliking towards Donnie, and he appears to be a lower-class member.

• Sons of Samedi

A Haitian gang that already cornered the Caribbean underworld, the Sons of Samedi branched out to Stilwater. Influenced by Voodoo and a history of military corruption in Haiti, the gang has developed a potent combination of spiritualism and fearlessness. Gang members were attracted to the gang out of respect for their methods, a desire for easy income from their drug trade, or through coercion. Their primary source of income is a designer drug called "Loa Dust", which has all but replaced ecstasy as the drug of choice for many college students.

The Rastafarian Sons of Samedi operate out of the trailer park in north Stilwater, and seem determined to conquer more and more land in their quest for money and power. Followers of the black magic Vodou Loa of death Baron Samedi, the Sons of Samedi not only engage in the drug trafficking that has seen them take rule over many parts in Stilwater, they engage in violence and extortion to conquer businesses and territories across Stilwater. General and Mr Sunshine share the role of Samedi kingpin. Mr Sunshine is primarily involved in the drug trade across Stilwater, and ruthlessly kills anybody who crosses him. General watches over the goings-on around the city, making sure the Sons of Samedi stay in power across the city.

• Ronin

The Ronin are one of three new gangs inhabiting Stilwater. Identified by their traditionally designed yellow clothing, the Ronin are essentially a Japanese gang. The Ronin specialise in the entertainment industry, with a continual cash flow from the many casinos they operate around Stilwater. In Japanese, ronin translates as a samurai whose daimyo (master) has been either banished or killed, hinting that they may no longer be welcome back home.

• Limitless Customization Play as fully customizable characters that are male, female or something in between.
• Vehicles can be visually customized as well as performance tuned.
• Cribs and even gangs all have an amazing degree of detailed customization options.
• Multiplayerfull co-op campaign has seamless integrationcompetitive multiplayer pushes the boundaries of open world gaming.
• Killer Combat and Awesome VehiclesPlanes, helicopters, motorcycles, boats and cars can be piloted and used as weapons. On the ground new combat options include melee, fine aim, and human shield.
• Freedom to ExploreMore missions, activities, diversions, races, weapons, vehicles, cribs, city districts, and interiors than ever before. Over 40 story missions with additional bonus missions take place.

Other Features

• Reclaim Your Turf:

Rebuild the Saints and seek revenge against rivals to re-establish your crew as the rightful kings of Stilwater.

• Make Your Mark:

Customize your crib, recruit your gang, and set your swagger using countless combinations of character configuration.

• Demand Your Respect:

Protect yourself with human shields, throw rivals into oncoming traffic and zero-in your nut-shot using all-new Fine Aim controls.

• Jack Your Ride:

Build your empire with private jets, speedboats, and helicopters or strafe the hood of your rival's monster truck from the comfort of your fighter plane.

• Own Your Hood:

Discover both the familiar and strange in a revitalized Stilwater as you taunt, mug and streak your way through the city.

• Grab Your Piece:

Send a message to your enemies using an arsenal of rocket launchers, shock-paddles, stun-guns, and satchel-charges.

• Online:

Complete the campaign in two-player co-op, or multiply the mayhem with 12 player online open-world gameplay.

 

• Saints Row 2 Official Website.
• Saints Row 2 On THQ