dream_aloud Blog
Time to revisit Saints Row.
by dream_aloud on Comments
This game was far too under appreciated, in my opinion. I want to take a minute to give props, as it were, to the makers of this amazing breath of freshnes to the sandbox genre. Here's four reasons that don't make or break a game but may have gone unnoticed as improvements over the GTA series. and deserves a spin in your console either again or for the first time.
Reason#1- Customization. Your character's customization isn't broad but its far more than you see in GTA. There's tattoo parlors, barber shops, clothing stores, jewelry stores, and if you need a change of face, plastic surgeons. And the cars? Forget about it. From Nitrous to Hydraulics, decals, hundreds of paint styles, and hundreds of customization options otherwise. Wardrobe customization is huge too. GTA did well here, but Saints Row goes a little further with special unlockable and downloadable content for your thuggish rougish wardrobe.
Reason#2- Detail. I'm a huge fan of the thought that goes into a game. For example, you can punch and kick if you have no weapon selected for your character. Kick a road sign, "TING!", kick a big green trash can "KER-THUNK!", whack a guy with a bat and bask in the audible splendor of an authentic repetitive "THWACK! THWACK!". I walked into a lawyer office(love the name too "Legal Lee's"), and it was as authentic as you could imagine: Books, computer, desktop calendar, certificates and diplomas hung on the wall behind his desk, nice high back office chair... The list goes on. And this is just one room!
Reason#3- Humor. I'm all about the humor they put in these games. In GTA San Andreas when CJ meets up with the main character from GTA 3 and makes a comment about how 'he sure doesn't say much'. Saints Row is a humor rich environment to say the least. The local eating establishment is endorsed by a young woman who used to endorse her father's fast food chain. Cute little freckled girl in a dress(Wendy's). Well now she's busty, bubbly, and she's not afraid to tell you that now she's all grown up. She runs her own fast food chain now; Freckle **** You can order The Twins, or The Fist. They're having a sausage fest at Freckle **** and if you going to come in late they encourage you to use the back door. Radio personalities like the conservative talk show, and a dj voiced by Bubba the Love Sponge(check your XM listings if you've never heard of him. You're missing out). I could keep this list going but really, you gotta' experience this for yourself.
Reason#4- Recognizable Names- San Andreas was the first in the genre to really exploit big names in the voice cast starring Samuel L. Jackson as a ery shady cop. Saints Row follows suit and more with names like Keith David, David Carridene, Tia Carrera, Michael Clarke Duncan, and music? Eric B. and Rakim to Fall Out Boy to Beethoven and more!
I've recently rediscovered this title and it may actually be the first title I get 100% in. I love this game and the near endless activities and missions I can choose from. This game is also on line and there are online achievements for that as well. Other than the occasional frame rate issues I don't have much to complain about this title. Saints Row 2 is on the way, with several new vehicles including air and water vehicular options, gender options, more customization, and MORE! I love more! So you may brush up on your Saints Row before the new one drops. I'm always down for the Row!!
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