Saints Row Impressions...b1#$@!

[TheMissingLink]

We've got a topic discussing reviews...and one in multiplayer gaming about forming a gang (I actually played a 2v2 deathmatch against a couple of guys in the same gang and they TORE me and some other random dude UP), so I figure why not make one for GT-member impressions?

Well then, let's get started!

I like it so far too, but hardly have scratched the surface of the game.  Seems to be tons of side missions to entertain yourself with.  However the MP maps we've played seem too large for 4 players.  I'm hoping that's corrected when more people have the game, since it's only us early birds playing at the moment.

And I agree with the MP portion.  The one deathmatch I played was in a bigger arena and it was very large for a 2v2 match.

THE POSITIVE is that the matchmaking is somewhat like Halo2 - you won't be scanning games, trying to find a fair game to play, it'll match you up against people with similar skill.  That makes things a LOT easier.  And you can create your own parties, as well, which is a very nice thing to give us for multiplayer.  You can buy clothes / accessories and whatever for your online persona (different than your offline) and you get cash only from playing multiplayer, which I think is a nice touch.

I did play the Protect da Pimp game-type and it was quite fun.  It was a 2v2 (not many people up and playing the game) where one person on the team is the pimp and they try to escape, so basically it's an escort.  The pimp isn't allowed to carry any weaponry, but they are able to pimp-slap some bitches, and I killed a guy with a pimp-slap to end the game.  It was QUITE satisfying.  So that mode seems like it would be a lot of fun.

In terms of how it plays versus the demo, honestly, it runs better.  The demo had choppy areas that had me scratching my head as well as some really choppy areas when things got convoluted.  The full-game, which by no means runs at a solid 60fps or whatever, maintains a pretty consistent framerate and it looks nice.  There is some tearing, which was found quite often in the demo, but once again, is improved in the full game.

I enjoy it so far.  I'm looking forward into getting more into the more diverse areas of the city and checking those out.  The multiplayer seems like fun, and yeah, I already ran into a white kid mouthing off f-bomb after f-bomb after his teammate threw a pipe bomb at him (which was hilarious to witness, thanks to the Havoc physics engine).  But playing with fellow GT-gang-members would be a lot of fun. 

Ah, and there have been a few laugh out loud moments already.  Whenever I hear "Freckle Bitches" I laugh.  This car ran into another and I heard "I don't have insurance, asshole!" being yelled.  A prostitute walking down the street said an absolutely hilarious comment that I won't ruin for anyone

I kept getting invited to play co-op with random people, so there must be a way to find people playing the single-player game.  My understanding is that there are two different scenario's in co-op play, rather than going through the main storyline.  I'd be willing to give co-op a whirl with anyone if they give me a shout on Live.

SO, impressions here are quite favorable.  I was ready to encounter a similar to the experience that I had with the demo and came away pleasantly surprised that the framerate has improved and the Live play seems pretty cool.  And I had better get to work, because those tattoo's cost a lotta BENJAMINS...

*edited for more impressions*

Wish people had the game and were playing online right now

Man, just played a mini-game for an hour.  It's an escort mission and man, it was pretty funny!

The city reminds me more of the city in Mafia than any other GTA city.

And there I was, rolling in a random car I had jacked from someone, and "Bound for the Floor" by Local H came on the radio.  Freakin' awesome.

[Calvin]

Awesome impressions TML. Let me think...maybe you and I should play coop? HUH? What do you say sir?!! Anyways-good to hear some positive and in depth impressions. You are making me wonder why I am renting this instead of buying it, damn it!!

[corruptrelic]

Good impressions TML, any idea if there are bots?

That protect the pimp sounds interesting (sort of like Counter-Strike's old VIP), as well as COOP. If I take the plunge and get Live I'd definitely be in for some COOP!

Btw - in the 2vs2, is the game world still populated with NPC's? Do they play any role in what's going on between the teams?

[coopasonic]

If I take the plunge and get Live I'd definitely be in for some COOP!

yer makin me blush... 

Sneakin out at lunch to check Fry's.

[Lockdown]

Thank you for the impressions TML - especially the coop and multiplayer ones.

[TheMissingLink]

Put more time into it...

It sounds gay, but man, playing online to get $$$ for clothes/tats, etc. is really addictive.  And even if you lose, you still get moolah.  So that's nice, especially for a pretty awful "playa" like me

And seriously, I'm really feeling the city.  The weather effects are awesome.  Thunderstorms!  The rain is VERY cool, sunsets are beautiful. 

I'm TAKING OUT LOS CARNALES!!!

(and collecting cars in my garage, there are sooooo many different cars it's great)

[CeeKay]

It sounds gay, but man, playing online to get $$$ for clothes/tats, etc. is really addictive.  And even if you lose, you still get moolah.  So that's nice, especially for a pretty awful "playa" like me

Good sir, you have gone beyond that barrier and now we just smile and nod and back away slowly at your choices 

[Calvin]

It sounds gay, but man, playing online to get $$$ for clothes/tats, etc. is really addictive.  And even if you lose, you still get moolah.  So that's nice, especially for a pretty awful "playa" like me

Good sir, you have gone beyond that barrier and now we just smile and nod and back away slowly at your choices 

Seriously. I mean, seriously dude.

[Calvin]

Put more time into it...

It sounds gay, but man, playing online to get $$$ for clothes/tats, etc. is really addictive.  And even if you lose, you still get moolah.  So that's nice, especially for a pretty awful "playa" like me

And seriously, I'm really feeling the city.  The weather effects are awesome.  Thunderstorms!  The rain is VERY cool, sunsets are beautiful. 

I'm TAKING OUT LOS CARNALES!!!

(and collecting cars in my garage, there are sooooo many different cars it's great)

Thanks for making me purchase this now. Punk.

[Jancelot]

Nice.  I'm heading out at lunch to snag a copy.  See all you m'fer's online tonight.

[stuntgibbon]

Sure dude if you wanna hookup later and try co-op, my gamertag is predictably:  Stunt Gibbon

I'm just running by Freckle Bitch's before my next story mission 

[rrmorton]

The city reminds me more of the city in Mafia than any other GTA city.

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET! I'm gonna head out and pick this up just as soon as my daughter finishes shoveling her ham and cheese and apples into her gullet. Then I'll throw her in bed for a nap and load it up.

I never tried the demo so I'm really looking forward to checking it out.

[Pharaoh]

God I cant wait for EB to open! My copy is ready! My 360 just came back from Microsoft, and since this is my 3rd one, its got at least 20 hours of life on it before the red lights come back!

[stuntgibbon]

Ouch, bad luck on those units.     I'm pretty lucky and so far haven't had any issues.

[corruptrelic]

Ouch, bad luck on those units.     I'm pretty lucky and so far haven't had any issues.

With age, your unit will come to fail, too.. 

Can anyone confirm if there's bots or not in Saints Row? It's about the only thing holding me back from going to Gamestop (with a tropical storm fast approaching!) right now and picking it up!

[stuntgibbon]

No bots, but single player is the main attraction.

[stuntgibbon]

lol.. have you tried Insurance Fraud missions yet?   You just go dive in front of cars for the insurance money.

[JuniorDan]

Alright: It been 3 1/2hrs now and I must say the game lives up to what I expected. It will forever be compared to GTA games. There is no stopping that, the bar has been set. The Row has risen above that. This comming from a die hearted GTA fanboy. One thing that stands out to me the most is the BGM I have never, ever,ever, had to adjust my stereo since I hooked it up to my 360. Lets just say my subwoofer is kicking the walls down especially when cars with systems inside drive by. Wow! The side missions I played so far are very entertaining. especially the escort service. The comment are off the chain. The imagination can only run wild listening to those two in the backseat. I laughed my ass off. I really want to complete the Snatch service for the B. Plaza. I smell some HOT Coffee action . I have no complaints so far.
Lets see I Robbed a store and Pond the goods. Killed pimps took his tricks. Raided a rival gangs hide out (we all did. demo). escorted some chick to fake her death. Blowed up a building with a car bomb. and help some kidnapped chicks.
Stuff I could do includes. Drug Trafficking, Hitman, Insurance Fraud? whatever, demolition derby, chop shop, mayhem, hijacking,Loan Shark, tagging(warriors stuff. hmm), racing and I already mentioned snatch and, Escorting.
I have a phone by IllWireless not sure how it works yet. I put my real phone number in, and hit send. Don't ask. I don't know what I was expecting It said my # was not in service. duh... there is also an MP3 player that plays music saved on the box, and is full customizeable. The map to me feels small which is no surprise for anyone who played GTA:SA, but is bigger than Vice City. Its right for this game. I will try mulitplayer later on when most of  you guys get home, and is ready hit um up GT style.

[JuniorDan]

With age, your unit will come to fail, too.. 

Can anyone confirm if there's bots or not in Saints Row? It's about the only thing holding me back from going to Gamestop (with a tropical storm fast approaching!) right now and picking it up!
[/quote]

what the hell is wrong with you?
I haven't played the multi. yet but I may have to try just to help you out.
I'am in Central Florida so I am also trying to get all the gameing in I could before the power go out.

[-Lord Ebonstone-]

I think it's about time to re-take those English classes you failed out of.

[JuniorDan]

The Voice of Shaynanay: Why u gotta be all technical and shit bro.

Fine I will proof read, and spell check next time.

[Calvin]

The Voice of Shaynanay: Why u gotta be all technical and shit bro.

Fine I will proof read, and spell check next time.

Thank you thank you thank you!!   

[soulbringer]

Picking this up tonight after work. Looks like it should be some fun multiplayer.

[whiteboyskim]

lol.. have you tried Insurance Fraud missions yet?   You just go dive in front of cars for the insurance money.

LMAO. Any game that lets you do that sounds awesome. This definitely sounds like GTA taken to the next level. So what happens if GTA4 is nothing more than Saint's Row with a few more mini-games and a larger map? Will IGN and Co. praise it to the heavens as the greatest thing ever?

I think so.

[depward]

I can't wait to pop you all with caps.

My for-sheezy playa-hata will be blingin' it up while my 5 foot hos be ridin' in da backseet listenin' to 80s music

[CeeKay]

must resist the urge to buy this right away... must fight.. must strengthen resolve.... next week will be here soon enough

[Arkon]

must resist the urge to buy this right away... must fight.. must strengthen resolve.... next week will be here soon enough

You have no resolve, just buy it bitch!

[JuniorDan]

I can't wait to pop you all with caps.

My for-sheezy playa-hata will be blingin' it up while my 5 foot hos be ridin' in da backseet listenin' to 80s music

[Zinfan]

New gangster on the block and lisn to dis

Ice Ice Baby, Ice Ice Baby
All right stop, Collaborate and listen
Ice is back with my brand new invention
Something grabs a hold of me tightly
Then I flow like a harpoon daily and nightly

That's correct people  Vanilla Ice returns (well really Otter Chaos but hey I'm as white as old Icy there    ).  I'm sure I can rhyme listen and invention too.

[Harkonis]

cross posted from 'another site'

I'm not good at the whole review type thing, especially when I'm in a hurry to get back to playing 

So far the game seems pretty well done, aiming is a bit off but not so much that it gets you hurt really, just feels a bit off.

The humor is over the top and I'm loving it... 'come in to Freckle Bitches and get fisted! You can't beat our meat. Just don't put it all in your mouth at the same time or you might hurt yourself. We'll help you if you want.' funny immature humor and I'm diggin it.

Driving took me a lot longer to get used to than expected, it seems like the actual driving controls are a bit looser than GTA but the ragdolls more than make up for it imo.

Lots to do in game from insurance fraud, drug deals, pimping, robbery, you can smoke a blunt and drink a 40 then try to drive while everything is fuzzy and shifting on ya.

Having a blast and looking forward to online play which I'm sure has a lot of potential.

More later yo

[depward]

...More later yo

Peace out, playa - hit us back up with those mad impression skillz soon

[JuniorDan]

Holy crap I have seen it all... I'm ridding with a soccar mom in a mini van protecting her while she sells drugs. LMAO
This lady is crazy.
"I cant kill my own but you are so good at it."
"I cant get caught, what will they think of me at the PTA meetings."
"Ok sweetie killing cops is a bad thing"
  bitch. you selling drugs....

[JuniorDan]

One thing I forgot to mention. The AI don't act like you the only person in the game. Cops will defend them selves against the nearest treat with no regards to which gang your on.
I was  being chased by one gang, when the cops disabled their car, then disarmed them before sending back up after me.
In a fire fight cop will take cover behind any solid object and shot at any treat, or any one with a weapon. This is very good
One time I was been fired upon so I ran across a cop who attacked the gangmember who was chasing me. After he took him out I figured I was next. NOPE I was a victim of a senseless crime been defended by the city finest. 

[Destructor]

Holy crap I have seen it all... I'm ridding with a soccar mom in a mini van protecting her while she sells drugs. LMAO
This lady is crazy.
"I cant kill my own but you are so good at it."
"I cant get caught, what will they think of me at the PTA meetings."
"Ok sweetie killing cops is a bad thing"
  bitch. you selling drugs....

ROFL

Okay, now that is classic. I must resist getting this game though, at least for now. Too many other games due out between now and the end of the year...

[Harkonis]

Got my gang info setup in the multiplayer section yo.

[JuniorDan]

Holy crap I have seen it all... I'm ridding with a soccar mom in a mini van protecting her while she sells drugs. LMAO
This lady is crazy.
"I cant kill my own but you are so good at it."
"I cant get caught, what will they think of me at the PTA meetings."
"Ok sweetie killing cops is a bad thing"
  bitch. you selling drugs....

ROFL

Okay, now that is classic. I must resist getting this game though, at least for now. Too many other games due out between now and the end of the year...



Look at me.. right here...NO.. right here.... You are making a mistake. There is nothing to think about. GET THIS GAME. you will be sorry if you don't, especially is Jack Thomson gets to it.

[JuniorDan]

I do't know why that came out like that. I can't even fix it. Above post.

[Devil]

One thing I forgot to mention. The AI don't act like you the only person in the game. Cops will defend them selves against the nearest treat with no regards to which gang your on.
I was  being chased by one gang, when the cops disabled their car, then disarmed them before sending back up after me

This is good news. I bailed VERY EARLY in GTA:SA when I was on my bike, being chased by a car full of guys shooting at me and the cops drive by and arrest ME (as I'm being shot at!!!)!!!! That was the worst!

[-Lord Ebonstone-]

Well, despite the fact I don't even have a 360 yet, I put in an order for this using some store credit I had left over for an online site.  I should have it and Disgaea 2 by this weekend!

[-Lord Ebonstone-]

1UP gives Saint's Row a 7, in a very short, not-quite-a-review.

We once described Driver: Parallel Lines as a three-quarters-assed GTA. Saints Row is more like one-and-four-fifths-assed. It is, in a lot of ways, better than the games it's cribbing from.

San Andreas got a 9, by the way.