Saints Row 2
A few updates on GTAIV combatant Saints Row 2
News of GTAIV being delayed till, eventually, April 29 was music to the ears of Saints Row developer Volition. It decided to fill the gaping void of pimpery and larceny by hastily announcing the sequel to its gangster-based open-world game.
The real crime here is that many people still dismiss the original Saints Row as having no personality of its own. In fact, the game unfurled more and more original features the more you played it. We still revisit Stilwater from time to time for a few rounds of the body-flinging 'Insurance Fraud' mini-game. Also, you can't beat calling on the aid of finger-licking good 'Chicken Ned' to help you beat the crap out of the Vice Kings.
Saints Row ended with a pretty bleak outcome for the central characters, so we're looking forward to finding out if any of them will make a return. We know for sure that it's a direct continuation of events but set a full decade and a half later. According to Volition: 'There's a much darker and more sinister story that leads your character down a path of betrayal, revenge and redemption against the city that has left him for dead.'
Fifteen years have passed and the city has seen some changes. The level of detail has been significantly improved and pop-up also consigned to Stilwater's distant past. From our first-look at the game, we can already see that Volition can cope with the challenge of creating brilliant-looking, open-world environments.
Addressing some complaints about the first title, you'll now be able to play as a female gangster and the customisation options will be much greater. Rather than play as one of the three gangs from the original, you'll be able to create an original syndicate from scratch, and create a unique look for your members.
We've been doing a bit of digging and from the cast list it appears as if the types of gangs you'll encounter are going to be a lot more varied, too. One actor is listed as a 'voodoo gang leader' and another as 'Ronin' which suggests there'll be a Japanese gang. At present, none of the main cast members have been revealed, but Volition has claimed it's going to be announcing some big-name stars closer to release. You can also expect to hear an even more impressive soundtrack than before, with music that might reach out further than the original's hip-hop roots.
While Volition has a tall order to win over GTAIV fans, Saints Row 2 isn't due out until many months after Rockstar's game. We're hoping this will give Volition plenty of time to make this one a significant rival to the kingpin of crime.
Speaking of GTAIV, if you are a fan of this series then definitely make sure you check out our huge exclusive feature on this monumental release.
For further reading on Saints Row 2, check out our earlier preview.
http://www.gameplayer.com.au/Home/PREVIEWS/PREVIEWGAME/tabid/1484/Default.aspx?CID=d7853bba-c5da-4606-9401-1c61c76380d6&v7Pager=2
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