Post by Rascarin on Aug 13, 2009 20:50:32 GMT 1
Rascarin feels like going on a little ego-trip here, and dedicating a thread to her own game recommendations. So without futher ado, welcome to the first installment of Rascarin Recommends, and say hello to Saints Row 2.
Saints Row has often been accused of being a shameless Grand Theft Auto rip-off, and while I've never played GTA, I imagine its probably true. Nevertheless, it is also true that Saints Row 2 is the most fun I've had on a game in a long, long time.
A lot of this games charm is that SR2 refuses to take itself seriously. It understands that instinctive urge in every gamer, when presented with a sandbox setting, to abuse every single freedom presented to them. Not only does it allow you to do things that would make a free-roaming game like Oblivion blush, but it keeps score as you do so.
I'll be the first to admit that sandbox free-roamers always bring out the child in me. The first thing I'll do upon accessing my wardrobe will be to strip down as far as possible and then parade myself in front of NPC's to see how they react. Give me a helicopter, and I will take it to its highest point and then jump out. Show me a vehicle, and I'll jump straight on the bonnet and wait to see how long it takes for me to fall off and get run over.
Whilst most free-roamers will just wait patiently for you to finish assing around before getting back to the story, Saints Row seems to enjoy the stupidity just as much as you do. For each of my examples (and a lot more besides), there is a mini-game attached, with various prizes at the end for doing well.
The sidequests are all crazy good fun, too. Activities include spraying poo from a septic truck all over houses, cars and the people that own them, driving around on a quad bike and blowing things up, masquerading as a police officer and using excessive force on camera, and even more besides.
Character customisation has more options than any other game I've ever played. Every inch of your face can be tweaked, your body shape can go from matchstick-thin to beach-ball obese. The selection of clothing is very impressive, with all of the colours being customisable too. You can choose your facial expression, and your stupid gangsta' walk, too.
As for the story; thats pretty impressive too. It's not going to run dry quickly, the cutscenes are all good, the voice acting sounds incredible, and theres no shortage of downright hilarity. At the same time, however, it manages to be gritty and even touching at times. For a game that spends most of its time laughing at itself, it manages to pull off the serious bits really well.
I gotta say, there was almost nothing I didn't like about this game. I'll agree that the dirty humour and shameless idiocy are not to everyones taste, but this game remains firmly in place as one of my all time favourites.
In summary; it's crazy good fun that'll keep you going for weeks, and there isn't a person I wouldn't recommend it to.
Saints Row has often been accused of being a shameless Grand Theft Auto rip-off, and while I've never played GTA, I imagine its probably true. Nevertheless, it is also true that Saints Row 2 is the most fun I've had on a game in a long, long time.
A lot of this games charm is that SR2 refuses to take itself seriously. It understands that instinctive urge in every gamer, when presented with a sandbox setting, to abuse every single freedom presented to them. Not only does it allow you to do things that would make a free-roaming game like Oblivion blush, but it keeps score as you do so.
I'll be the first to admit that sandbox free-roamers always bring out the child in me. The first thing I'll do upon accessing my wardrobe will be to strip down as far as possible and then parade myself in front of NPC's to see how they react. Give me a helicopter, and I will take it to its highest point and then jump out. Show me a vehicle, and I'll jump straight on the bonnet and wait to see how long it takes for me to fall off and get run over.
Whilst most free-roamers will just wait patiently for you to finish assing around before getting back to the story, Saints Row seems to enjoy the stupidity just as much as you do. For each of my examples (and a lot more besides), there is a mini-game attached, with various prizes at the end for doing well.
The sidequests are all crazy good fun, too. Activities include spraying poo from a septic truck all over houses, cars and the people that own them, driving around on a quad bike and blowing things up, masquerading as a police officer and using excessive force on camera, and even more besides.
Character customisation has more options than any other game I've ever played. Every inch of your face can be tweaked, your body shape can go from matchstick-thin to beach-ball obese. The selection of clothing is very impressive, with all of the colours being customisable too. You can choose your facial expression, and your stupid gangsta' walk, too.
As for the story; thats pretty impressive too. It's not going to run dry quickly, the cutscenes are all good, the voice acting sounds incredible, and theres no shortage of downright hilarity. At the same time, however, it manages to be gritty and even touching at times. For a game that spends most of its time laughing at itself, it manages to pull off the serious bits really well.
I gotta say, there was almost nothing I didn't like about this game. I'll agree that the dirty humour and shameless idiocy are not to everyones taste, but this game remains firmly in place as one of my all time favourites.
In summary; it's crazy good fun that'll keep you going for weeks, and there isn't a person I wouldn't recommend it to.