Saint's Row 2. Popcorn not included.
User Rating: 8 | Saints Row 2 PS3
Saint's Row 2 picks up a few years after the first game. Stillwater has been spruced up by a new megacompany, and the Saint's are nearly a dead gang. As you bust out of jail, the game sets the tone for what's to come. It's going to be funny, over the top, and never take itself too seriously. The storyline is OK, basically raise the Saint's back from the dead, and the ending will tie up a bit of loose ends from the first game, but story isn't what matters here. It's all about blowing stuff up, cursing up a storm, insanely fun cars to drive, and blowing a bit more stuff up. Returning to an almost carbon copy of Stillwater from the first game gave me pause at first, but other than the fact you know where your going a bit easier, the city is totally redone. Gameplay is effortless, if a tad easy, driving cars and motorcycles is still a blast, as is the fun gun/aiming mechanics. Character, crib, and gang customization is easy to do, and fun as well. There are plenty of missions to do at your own pace, one gang's missions stood out from the others to me, The Brotherhood, but all 3 are really very good. The side missions, like in Saint's Row are and out and out joy. Just pure juvenile fun. Which sums up Saint's Row 2. Some movies win Oscars and are critical darlings (GTAIV) and are very good. Others are your standard summer popcorn good time, think Iron Man, not asking too much in terms of brain power, no big critiuqe of society, just sit back and have fun. Which Saint's Row 2 does beautifully.
