Grand Theft Auto 4 vs. Saint's Row 2

I'm aware that Grand Theft Auto 4 is by far the more critically acclaimed, and I certainly agree. It had better visuals, music, a better story, more realistic characterisation, vehicle handling, physics, etc.

But I'm not sure that necessarily made it more enjoyable.

Playing Saint's Row 2 again (now that the PC bugs have been ironed out), I honestly found myself having more fun. I know when Grand Theft Auto 4 was released, people were critical of its ultra-realism and, honestly, a feeling it was a little bit sterile. Not to mention the annoying friend system.

Saint's Row 2 just felt like a more rewarding experience. It let me customise, it let me unleash mayhem, and it had no pretentions of being more than a sandbox rampager.

If you played both, which did you like more?

is it even a debate? GTA 4._Verm

If everyone votes in favor of SR2, then that completely demolishes the debate that reviews matter and determine how good a game is.

Anyways, I vote for GTA IV, although I really dig SR2.

i liked them both alot, but have to say saints row 2, just because co-op was sooo fun with a friend and it was insane had great side missions and it was fun to play!

Saints Row 2 without a doubt. Much more to do, much more to see, and much more enjoyable overall. It's got a better brand of humor and has characters that are more "fun." GTAIV had Niko, and a bunch of poorly developed characters. Niko was well-designed, but he wasn't exactly "fun."

The sheer amount of customization in SR2 (from the cribs to your vehicles to your characters looks and personality to his outfit) is fantastic.

If everyone votes in favor of SR2, then that completely demolishes the debate that reviews matter and determine how good a game is.

Anyways, I vote for GTA IV, although I really dig SR2.

BioShockOwnz

GTA IV was definitely a great game, but I found myself having more fun with Saints Row 2.

If everyone votes in favor of SR2, then that completely demolishes the debate that reviews matter and determine how good a game is.BioShockOwnz

GTA4... sigh. Such a boring game.

I was actually wondering if SR2 was....... fun?

[QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"]

If everyone votes in favor of SR2, then that completely demolishes the debate that reviews matter and determine how good a game is.

Anyways, I vote for GTA IV, although I really dig SR2.

Danm_999

I enjoyed SR2 MUCH more then GTAIV.

GTA IV for realism and multiplayer.

Saints Row 2 for crazyness and single player.

Hard to decide.

GTA IV hands down.Saints Row 2 felt very unpolished and I missed everything that made san andreas the best sandbox of all time ( IMHO ).Though I'm sure THQ will make SR 3 a much better game. :)

[QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"]

If everyone votes in favor of SR2, then that completely demolishes the debate that reviews matter and determine how good a game is.Saturos3091

Yeah, that's how I roll. People complain about an A or AA and I wanna wack 'em on the head.

There is no comparision. It's like comparing The Godfather to The Boondock Saints.

There is no comparision. It's like comparing The Godfather to The Boondock Saints.

heretrix

I'd agree with Saint's Row 2. GTA 4 was too inconsistant -- half the time it was trying to portray a deep and emotional story (despite a cast filled with unlikable characters), the other half was the series' hallmark "how many hookers can I run down on this moped?" gameplay -- and as a result we ended up with the worst of both worlds. The gameplay was never particularly compelling outside of a handful of missions, and the story was completely neutered (hard to take Niko seriously when you ran over 34 pedestrians on the way to the mission, and it's hard to connect with characters like Roman when he phones you every 13.5 seconds).

On the other hand, SR2 embraces the turned up to 11 gameplay of the prior GTA titles, and is the more complete experience for it. Besides, how can you argue with a game that lets you drive around in a ****-spraying septic truck?

GTA 4. By FAR the better game IMO.

This thread makes me wanna go play SR2 again. :o

it's hard to connect with characters like Roman when he phones you every 13.5 seconds).

On the other hand, SR2 embraces the turned up to 11 gameplay of the prior GTA titles, and is the more complete experience for it. Besides, how can you argue with a game that lets you drive around in a ****-spraying septic truck?

PBSnipes

[QUOTE="PBSnipes"] it's hard to connect with characters like Roman when he phones you every 13.5 seconds).

On the other hand, SR2 embraces the turned up to 11 gameplay of the prior GTA titles, and is the more complete experience for it. Besides, how can you argue with a game that lets you drive around in a ****-spraying septic truck?

Danm_999

didn't play too much of SR2 but GTA IV was really stupid.. i'd rather play CTW than that

I gave away my copy of SR2 but I really didn't want to.. I'll probably get it again once I beat prototype

"how can you argue with a game that lets you drive around in a ****-spraying septic truck?" definitely sticks out in my mind.. great way to open up the game within the first few minutes

[QUOTE="heretrix"]

There is no comparision. It's like comparing The Godfather to The Boondock Saints.

Danm_999

They're really two different types of fun, at least to me, if that makes any sense.

Both games allow you to make your own fun but GTA IV just seems like a more sophisticated style of fun. It's much more realistic (for better or for worse, depending on whom you ask) than Saints Row 2 and it feels more mature compared to Saints Row 2's zany antics. The thing is, while it may sound like I'm bashing Saints Row 2 by saying GTA IV is the more mature game, I'm not. Saints Row 2 is "stupid fun". There's something special about throwing a helpless pedestrian off of a bridge, doing a handstand on the hood of a moving car, throwing yourself into traffic for kicks, running down the street wearing nothing but a dopey grin and going on a bat**** insane rampage, blowing up everything in your path and there's also something special about being rewarded for it. Saints Row 2 throws you into the middle of a city and tells you to go nuts without restrictions or limitations.

I've played both games and GTA IV is the one I keep coming back to. I've played Saints Row 2 for about 50 hours combined single player and co op (just got the achievement for doing that not too long ago) and I've played GTA IV for about 80 hours or so in single player (only 35 of those hours were dedicated to completing the storyline) and many, many more in the online modes, especially the 16 player Free Mode, which is an absolute blast every time I play it.

Overall, I prefer GTA IV for its polish (something Saints Row 2 clearly lacks), excellent urban atmosphere and its 16 player online free mode (something I've wanted from a GTA game for years). Saints Row 2 gets points for its online co-op modes and the excellent variety when it comes to activities. For a sequel to what was largely called a GTA clone, Saints Row 2 has done more than enough to differentiate itself from the GTA series at this point. Each game approaches the sandbox genre differently and it's something I appreciate.

They're really two different types of fun, at least to me, if that makes any sense.

Both games allow you to make your own fun but GTA IV just seems like a more sophisticated style of fun. It's much more realistic (for better or for worse, depending on whom you ask) than Saints Row 2 and it feels more mature compared to Saints Row 2's zany antics. The thing is, while it may sound like I'm bashing Saints Row 2 by saying GTA IV is the more mature game, I'm not. Saints Row 2 is "stupid fun". There's something special about throwing a helpless pedestrian off of a bridge, doing a handstand on the hood of a moving car, throwing yourself into traffic for kicks, running down the street wearing nothing but a dopey grin and going on a bat**** insane rampage, blowing up everything in your path and there's also something special about being rewarded for it. Saints Row 2 throws you into the middle of a city and tells you to go nuts without restrictions or limitations.

I've played both games and GTA IV is the one I keep coming back to. I've played Saints Row 2 for about 50 hours combined single player and co op (just got the achievement for doing that not too long ago) and I've played GTA IV for about 80 hours or so in single player (only 35 of those hours were dedicated to completing the storyline) and many, many more in the online modes, especially the 16 player Free Mode, which is an absolute blast every time I play it.

Overall, I prefer GTA IV for its polish (something Saints Row 2 clearly lacks), excellent urban atmosphere and its 16 player online free mode (something I've wanted from a GTA game for years). Saints Row 2 gets points for its online co-op modes and the excellent variety when it comes to activities. For a sequel to what was largely called a GTA clone, Saints Row 2 has done more than enough to differentiate itself from the GTA series at this point. Each game approaches the sandbox genre differently and it's something I appreciate.

The_Game21x

I honest to god believe if GTA had gotten worse reviews everyone would be saying how much better it is over SR2. Ppl just love the underdog.

no comparison for me gta iv all day long

saints row 2 and san andreas and driver paralel lines are far better then gta iv

I like SR2 more. I'll admit that GTA IV has a smoother framerate, and far less glitches and other technical issues, but SR2 is just more fun to me. SR2 has a much better variety of missions, you can customize your character like crazy (including voice, the way he walks, etc). The isn't nearly as serious, unlike GTA IV. I like the over-the-top cartoon violence in SR2.

is it even a debate? GTA 4._Verm

I rented SR2 and from what I played it was a lot more fun than GTA4. That game was a nightmare to finish. The missions are boring as hell, the characters are all really unlikable, and the game just takes itself too seriously. Everything about that game is a chore.

GTA 4. You can do way more stunts, better graphics, Just everything, better. You can even use grenades to do stunts. You should really watch Ben Buja's Videos.

[QUOTE="Danm_999"]

[QUOTE="PBSnipes"] it's hard to connect with characters like Roman when he phones you every 13.5 seconds).

On the other hand, SR2 embraces the turned up to 11 gameplay of the prior GTA titles, and is the more complete experience for it. Besides, how can you argue with a game that lets you drive around in a ****-spraying septic truck?

-Pred-Alien-

[QUOTE="-Pred-Alien-"][QUOTE="Danm_999"] This basically nails my opinion :P

Bewareoffalling

Both are great games, and they both play the same to me. Although, Lemmings will choose saints row 2 because Rockstar north is developing a exclusive ps3 game, it's how fanboys backlash.therealnerdd

What? :lol: Just no. If anything, lems will choose GTA IV. They get the 2 exclusive episodes in TLAD and TBOGT. The full GTA IV experience.

[QUOTE="Bewareoffalling"]

[QUOTE="-Pred-Alien-"]Exactly, it wouldnt be so bad if the characters were around for more than just three missions or so.supercubedude64

Both are great games, and they both play the same to me. Although, Lemmings will choose saints row 2 because Rockstar north is developing a exclusive ps3 game, it's how fanboys backlash.therealnerdd

GTA 4, i liked the story better, could care less about MP. Niko was just more memorable.

GTAIV for me.

Both are great games, and they both play the same to me. Although, Lemmings will choose saints row 2 because Rockstar north is developing a exclusive ps3 game, it's how fanboys backlash.therealnerdd