Counting down to the release of Saints Row IV #1

With Saints Row IV releasing on August 20th we decided to commemorate its impending release with a countdown of the Top Ten Herd of Cats's stories covering previous Saints Rows. Join us for the next ten days as we take off our shoes and socks to help us count to ten. ..."now we carry the three"...

And the number one pick for the top HoC Saints Row story is:

Saints Row 2 - Tastes like chicken originally posted by Stormblade on April 1, 2009. (I am sure that date was just a coincidence)

I admit, I've been putting this off. Procrastinating. Evading. Generally finding any excuse not to write this review.

Because yes, I am addicted to Saints Row 2.

I admit it took a long time to get past the initial revulsion. It took a long time to get into this game. Mostly this is because, despite assurances from certain smug individuals that infest this site, I was blinded by the GTA IV feel of this game. Really, the environment is similar in many ways to GTA. The gameplay is not, and that's where this game excels.

Things that should never be

The fact is this game is extremely playable and becomes an addiction over time. You can follow the storyline if you want, when you want. You can participate in several unique and (usually) entertaining activities. There are then 'diversions' that are mini-activities that pop up as well. Yes, it is a violent game, but it becomes almost incidental to the game play. Some diversions, such as streaking, seem a little creepy. This is especially true if one is playing co-op with Revek and he's streaking with his bizarre looking female character. Ew.

50g - You've completed co-op with MoriceRevek!

The co-op mode is where the real fun is found. The depth of functionality and co-operative behaviour in this game is amazing. The players are have completely independent action despite the co-op nature of the activities. You can follow along with your teammate, or not. It's up to you. It should be noted that anyone completing co-op with Revek should be awarded additional points. I won't go into detail. If you have played co-op with him, you understand. If not, you're forewarned.

The biggest weakness as far as I am concerned is the multiplayer. It was mildly entertaining, but the only chance of it being really fun is if you had a large group of friends playing it together. Smaller groups find the activities dull and I can't see it being something that would be fun with strangers on Live. Playing it with 12-year-old squeakers would be no fun at all.

Tastes like chicken

So, I am basically saying, while chewing on a crow leg, that Saints Row 2 is one of the best games on the XBox 360. It is expansive, free flowing and filled with diverse and entertaining activities. I will be buying any additional DLC that comes out and I will continue to enjoy this game for a long time yet.

Saint's Row, Baby!

That's for you, Walt Poddubny