First look at THQ's thuggish Saints Row 2

by Dustin Burg { Mar 4th 2008 at 12:30PM }

IGN has the first look scoop on THQ and Volition's gangster sequel Saints Row 2 and all things said, we think the game has some healthy potential.

It's obvious that developer Volition took the criticisms of Saints Row and were determined to fix everything possible. For the sequel, they've revamped the game's look, bumped up the amount of dialog, added all kinds of new rides and added the ability to fully "trick out" your character with customization options. You'll not only be able to change your thug's appearance, but you'll even get to change the way he walks and celebrates. Also, your "crib" can be customized to your liking as well. Saints Row 2 sounds to be carrying its own attitude (car bombs FTW!) and its own brand of sandbox style fun, but we cannot help but fear that GTAIV's massive wake will all but drown out any anticipation for Volition's baby. But THQ is confident that it can hold its own, so we'll just have to wait and see if it's a fresh enough experience to pull us away from Liberty City and into Stillwater.

Tags: saints-row, saints-row-2, thq, volition

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

nerrrrrrd @ Mar 4th 2008 12:46PM

I'm one of the people who never get enough of these style of sandbox game as long as they're done right. I really enjoyed Saints Row and will be grabbing this even after spending hours with GTA4.

Ninzono @ Mar 4th 2008 12:47PM

This game aint got a chance against the juggernaut that is GTA 4!

7718 @ Mar 4th 2008 3:59PM

I don't know about the rest of you chuckleheads, but I'm anxiously anticipating this game. This game is going to be freaking sweet!

Stupendous52 @ Mar 4th 2008 12:55PM

I loved the original Saint's Row so I will definitely be getting this... and GTA... and Gears 2...uh oh, incoming loss of money, social life, and girlfriend.

dylan @ Mar 4th 2008 1:13PM

I never played a GTA game for more than an hour or two, I spent many days on saints row. I hope they keep they cartoony feel of the first, it made it more fun IMO.

EmptyEnergy @ Mar 4th 2008 1:14PM

I've been a hardcore GTA fan for awhile. When I picked up a 360 and played Saints Row, I was amazed. Yea it could be compared to GTA, but the game was done right and showed off the potential of 'next gen gaming'.

I'm getting GTA IV (preordered alreaday) and Saints Row 2 will be a purchase, but not sure how close to GTA it will be though.

DSK UK @ Mar 4th 2008 1:45PM

The thing I like about Saints Row was that it was so customisable. If they're improving upon this, adding online co-op and GTA IV doesn't come out with online co-op and some degree of customising in it then I might be picking this game up too

wukong @ Mar 4th 2008 1:43PM

While GTA 4 looks interesting, I might pass on it for a while. Wasn't going to originally but Saints Row 2 looks like its going to be even better than the first, which I still love playing through.

wukong @ Mar 4th 2008 1:43PM

While GTA 4 looks interesting, I might pass on it for a while. Wasn't going to originally but Saints Row 2 looks like its going to be even better than the first, which I still love playing through.

jkdoug @ Mar 4th 2008 2:40PM

I'm more interested in Saints Row 2 than I am GTA IV, to be honest. I played and enjoyed the GTA games since the very first one, but I never really got through them very well. I played Saints Row all the way though and loved every minute of it! It's just a well balanced game with great humor and enough adult content to keep it interesting but still tasteful enough. Heh.

pkilla @ Mar 4th 2008 2:42PM

I agree with the first comment. I love these sand box games. I own all the GTAs and saints row 1 and will buy GTA4 and saints row 2. Can't get enough!!!

mike @ Mar 4th 2008 3:17PM

most people who played saints row consider it to be far supirior to the gta series (im one of them). With saints row 2 having co-op, more multiplayer, more customization and more everything, and us still not even seeing a single in game screenshot of some1 playing gta4, I think this game can hold its own. We still dont even know what kind of multiplayer will be in gta4. GTA4 is a joke compared to saints row 2.

CDN Crockett @ Mar 4th 2008 3:43PM

"The Saint's will always have your back."

CDN Crockett @ Mar 4th 2008 3:46PM

"The Saint's will always have your back."

CDN Crockett @ Mar 4th 2008 3:47PM

Sorry about the double post...

joker ant @ Mar 4th 2008 4:01PM

Saints Row was SSSSSOOOOO much better than San Andreas (being that the story was coherent.) Definitely picking up SR2.

George Arauz @ Mar 4th 2008 6:28PM

GTA killer?

joker ant @ Mar 4th 2008 4:01PM

Off topic here, but I click my name and it asks me to log in. I use the password given in the e-mail confirmation but it doesn't work. What's up?

Neuromancer @ Mar 4th 2008 6:25PM

Yeah I'm playing through Saint's Row and am very much looking forward to the sequel, especially what with the co-op and all. Saints rule! At the very least you have to admit SR is pushing the GTA series to do some things better (aiming, customizing your character, etc). Iwonder if in GTAIV you can get some of your posse to jump in the car with you and wreck havoc the way you can in SR.

Neuromancer @ Mar 4th 2008 6:28PM

Oh I am kind of pissed about this though, apparently now your character in SR2 is going to talk. Damn it all! I like my characters to be quiet. =(

EmptyEnergy @ Mar 4th 2008 6:30PM

GTA games need not be multiplayer. I feel time spent on adding multiplayer is a waste, especially if it fizzles out. Saint's Row multiplayer wasn't exactly great, it certainly didn't live up to my expectations. They should just leave multiplayer to the mod community, which in a way would leave out the consoles.

OTAM @ Mar 4th 2008 6:33PM

Saint's Row is awesome. GTA needs to step it up and raise the bar. Plastering the notorious letters "GTA" on the box isnt going to sell me a game anymore after playing the first Saint's Row.

The shit-my-pants moment of de-railing a damn TRAIN with the rocket launcher in Saint's Row was awesome.