. . . Page 2 of 2

It all comes down to the fantastic game engine developed by Volition. With such a firm stance with the original, it makes for easier work producing a second great game. The content may be similar, but it's still fun. There's always something to do, and that something is always done at breakneck speeds which makes SR2 extremely hard to put down. The mass amount of content does make it tough to polish the entire title though, so you'll notice minor animation errors, overlapping objects in your clothing, and the absence of water effects such as a spraying hydrant not being affected by any vehicle or vice versa on a person. The quality to quantity ratio is pretty even though, so this should be easily looked past by most. Things like customizing your gang to look like ninjas and letting them drive whatever vehicles you choose is far more noticeable than say, a floating rasta cap.

The visuals are still fantastic. Your car will become charred, dirtied, or covered in sewage at some point in the game. Rainstorms will limit your visibility and drinking booze or smoking a blunt will alter your senses, wobbling the camera slightly. As with everything else, explosions have gone a little more on the arcade side (opposite to GTA IV, which went in a slightly more realistic direction with slower driving and less health). You can take a hit like a champion, so don't expect to die too often. The most you'll get smoked is when facing off against the head of each gang. Blood splatters are bigger and better than ever, and you can grab just about anyone and use them as a human shield, or throw them to the curb. The car selection is well over forty vehicles, as you are to collect thirty-two just for the chop shop activities. Shooting enemies and driving at the same time always proves a little difficult so having a cruise control button comes in handy quite often. Cruising around you'll notice the world of Stilwater is recognizable in style but not in layout. The size of the world is still very large, and there are just as many if not more buildings to walk into. As is the industry standard now, there are no loading times. The only time SR2 will chug along is if you have about twenty or so enemies on your tail and you shoot down a helicopter while smashing into a roadblock, thus all action converging on one specific spot.

The original Saints Row had a promising multiplayer mode but really lacked in execution. Some of the disappointment stemmed directly from the lack of players online. Although my multiplayer experience with Saints Row 2 was limited to an evening with the Volition Dev team and a couple guys from other gaming publications, it was extremely fun. SR2 boasts sixteen players online, and the new Strong Arm mode is worth the cost of the game itself. In Strong Arm, teams compete in random game types in specific areas of the map. The game warns a new type is about to begin, it then points to the area you need to be in to start the mode and what you need to do. These tasks can include Insurance Fraud, Racing, plundering goods, mayhem, or even tag domination (much like king of the hill except with spraying graffiti tags and protecting them). Without spoiling too much, multiplayer will bring a huge amount of replay value to SR2. Aside from the Strong Arm mode, Saints Row 2 introduces open-world co-operative play for up to two players. Players are completely untethered and can wander around Stillwater independently as they place. The best part about co-operative play is that the entire game, including every mission, can be played with a friend - adding a ton of replay value.

The ear candy is just as prevalent in SR2 as it was in the original. With a huge list of licensed Hip-Hop, Classical, Easy Listening, Electronica, Metal, Reggae, Rock, and Funk, you'll always be humming to a catchy new song. Custom playlists can be made on the spot from purchased material and play under the "My Audio" channel. Select artists include Nas, Run DMC, Beethoven, Three Inches of Blood, Lamb of God, MSTRKRFT, Deftones, Hot Hot Heat, Kasabian, and many more. Passerby cars still emit the sounds of their favorite radio station, guns still clap like thunder, and the voice acting is still fantastic.

One final quick mention goes to the excellent use of the Sixaxis controls used in the game. Helicopters, jets, and boats all take advantage of the motion-based controls in a seamless integration, which is more then can usually be said about the Sixaxis schemes used in most games. They feel fluid, responsive, and frankly improve the gameplay by adding a new dynamic to the game.

Once again, from every angle, Saints Row 2 is golden (shiny like the box). You'll drive around and conquer Stilwater for many hours to come. Once that is done you'll fully enjoy the Strong Arm mode online with friends, or hang out with a friend and play it through again co-operatively. For those who can't wait for the next GTA, and for those who enjoyed the first Saints Row, this game is a must have.

Like what you see? Follow us on Twitter @GamingExcel, or find us on Facebook for all the latest news and updates.

Agree or disagree? Have something you'd like to add? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Simply Login or Register to add a comment and have your say. Registration is free, and only takes a few moments.