A continuation from its predecessor.
Story was fun, serious, interesting and kept you wondering "So - what's next?"
Some sad moments, some happy moments.
Overall, I liked the story. Johnny Gat is Awesomeness! He's got this serious/crude humour (that really cracks me up).
There are some people in this game you won't like, and some you'll really like a lot.
Gameplay
9/10
Gameplay in Saints Row 2 is a helluva lot of fun. You can do almost anything.
Fly helis and basejump.
Climb on a quad bike and destroy as many obstacles in your way as possible by knocking into cars, barrels, people. light poles. Pretty much anything knockable; all in order to keep your time from expiring - for cash and respect.
You can play as a cop chasing down crooks and gang fights in and around your vicinity using a range of weapons and methods in which to do so - for cash and respect.
You can pick up hookers and bring them back to their pimps for cash and respect.
Also side-missions having you run into traffic and being hit by as many cars as you can until you fill up your Adrenaline Meter; and once filled - being knocked by a car will send you hurdling through the air, really racking up those points. Using your movement keys, allows you to nudge your character (while in the air) from car to car. The more cars you hit, the greater amount of points will be received. It's so damn hilarious to do - and of course, all this for cash and respect.
There's even Drug Trafficking. You and (the driver/dealer - introduced to you in the begin of the mission) drive to set locations and the dealer sells the drugs while you protect them form cops and/or other gangs trying to stop the operation - as stated above, for cash and respect.
Overall, just some of many fun side-missions to do in this game.
Sound
7/10
Sound is good, not great.
Gun shots sounds are not that bad.
Pistol sounds like a pistol, SMG sounds like an SMG.. and so on and so forth.
Soundtrack - a nice variety of Rap, Rock, Electronica Classical and so on.
Admittedly however, I not keen on the Rock in this game - just does not appeal to me.
Vehicles sound fine, but, most sound like they're stuck in 3rd gear when travelling full speed.
Little disappointed that it does not support 5.1 Surround Sound
Graphics
7/10
Nothing exceptional, but, for what it's worth, it looks good.
Clothing looks decent (of which there are many, many kinds). And the ability to mix and match layers to your personal preference.
Character customisation is extensive. Can customise at least every aspect of your body. Manipulate your entire appearance; facial and bodily - extensively.
Respect Meter
In Saints Row 2 you have what's called a Respect Meter or Respect Bar.
You need to fill up the multiplier in order to do Strongholds or Mission.
So, if you have a 2x multiplied respect you can do 2 missions or strongholds, which ever you desire, in whichever fashion you prefer.
Strongholds - There are 3 gangs in Stilwater apart from your gang (the 3rd Streets Saints, and a company named Ultor Corp - no spoilers).
Every gang has a certain set of missions, however - before certain missions can be completed; it is required for you to do a Stronghold.
Stronghold, as the name suggests, is one of a number of "pillars of strength" that keep the gang's operation afloat; prostitution, smuggling - you name it.
Once these Stronghold have been taken out, it weakens the gang, whereby allowing you to properly, easily and more effectively eliminate a gang.
Voice Acting
7/10
Good, but not GTA or Mass Effect level.
Got some famous actors for the voice acting, which was a benefit for the game.
Bugs
Saints Row 2 definitely has its fair share of bugs. Pop-ups are frequent. Cars can get stuck in other cars; in fences lampposts - hell! Even humans. Sometimes you'll drive around with a corpse jumping around in the vehicle if you have killed them for the car, and climb into the car while they're just laying there - lifelessly.
Movement keys will just sometimes stop working. You'll have to remove your finger from the key/button and depress it again.
Overall
Saint Row 2 is a very fun open-world sandbox game.
Some of the cutscene intros to mission and movie-like quality. Some amazing action sequences.
This game will (if played on PC) require a relatively good system. At least quad core or better (for mostly smooth all-round gameplay).
It's definitely one of my favourite open-world sandbox 3rd person action shooters out there!
Saints Row 2
