Saints Row 2 trailer has us wondering why they even bothered

by Jem Alexander { Apr 2nd 2008 at 11:30AM }

Anyone who wants to see gameplay footage or cinematics from Saints Row 2, this trailer isn't for you. In fact, we're a bit wary about calling it a "trailer" in the first place. It's more of a sound file with a purple swirly visualiser attached. With four trailers for GTA IV already available, all showing gameplay footage, it doesn't really bode well for Saints Row 2. How could it ever really compare?

While Saints Row 2 will be coming out for the PS3, the original never made it and remains an Xbox 360 exclusive. Just another reason why we're not particularly interested in the sequel. Feel free to disagree, though.

Tags: saints-row-2

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

booksy @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:52AM

All I have to say is I want my 45 sec. back

Ves @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:13PM

I'm telling you. And I want them with interest.

JAH75157 @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:53AM

a whole bunch of stupid.

Strike Man @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:55AM

"With four trailers for GTA IV already available, all showing gameplay footage, it doesn't really bode well for Saints Row 2."

Realtime graphics != Gameplay.

I'm just saying. :o

Maverick Saturn @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:59AM

That was gameplay, in saints row 2, you get to control the visualisations with the controller and swirl them to the sounds :)

HektikLyfe @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:26PM

I know I'm not the only one here with a 360.

I am the first one to doubt any imitators. Volition did such a great job the first time around, however; there is no doubt in my mind that I will be picking this game up regardless of the low quality of their sneak previews.

To paraphrase Picasso, Bad developers copy; great developers steal. The thing is, Volition didn't just steal, they replicated the same feel the genre that Rockstar created and offered notable improvements. The gun battles were so much more fun and the vehicle controls showed some slight improvements.

There is room on my shelf for two Grand Theft Auto style games. The real problem is that they will most likely be on the 360 and not my poor PS3.

Achievements, exclusive DLC and the lack of any install requirement are to blame for that.

ted @ Apr 2nd 2008 4:01PM

Totally agree!
The first game was tragicaly underrated and labeled a GTA ripoff.
If this is any thing like the first(any why woud'nt it be!) I will be picking this up as soon as it comes out.
If you miss this awesome game it's your loss.
Be a smart PS3 owner and snatch this baby up! You won't regret it.

Carlton @ Apr 2nd 2008 4:06PM

I disagree. The vehicle physics in Saints Row were comparable to GTA3. They weren't anywhere near as good as VC or SA.

San andreas - humour - intelligence - style - an awesome voice cast - a good soundtrack - a soul - any original ideas = Saints Row.

It wasn't a terrible game, just a soulless rip-off of a game that was far superior on every level.

If you play 1 sandbox crime game in 2008, make it GTA4.
If you play 2, make the other one APB.
If you play 3... well, there's still probably a few more before you sink as low as Saints Row 2... Hei$t maybe?... Getaway 3 is probably a way off yet... Eight Days is probably vapourware...
Infamous and Prototype should both be better open world games, too. Hell, i'm looking forward to Just Cause 2 more than I am a new Saints Row. At least it had *some* original ideas, even if it was marred by some serious flaws.

Darko @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:30PM

Totally agree with you. The first game, while not the prettiest game, had some really solid gameplay elements. Gun fights and driving were much better than GTA (with the exception being that when you rear end a car you magically drive under it....), weapon selection was also a much smother and quicker process.

I'm sure GTA4 will beat the pants off of this game but that doesn't necessarily mean this isnt worth playing.

Riley Freeman @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:31PM

i cant wait till the day these devs start filling up the bluray 50gb discs and have to strip xbox games to fit on that tiny dvd disc. then we will see the real muscle and advantage of ps3

HektikLyfe @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:57PM

Mr. Freeman,

Not intentionally playing Devil's Advocate here but I have to disagree.

File size has nothing to do with quality. Now I don't disagree that the PS3 is a more powerful system, memory limitations aside, data storage capacity on the disc says absolutely nothing about system power. In fact, the more data you put on the slower spinning Blu-ray disc, the longer it will take to load your game. This is most likely why you will see more required installations. Developers are bypassing that "superior" Blu-Ray drive.

Oblivion was huge, as was Mass Effect. They both fit on a single DVD.

Meximan @ Apr 4th 2008 8:08PM

Actually, HektikLyfe, the reason why games like Devil May Cry 4 have those install times are because developers are NOT using up enough space on Blue-Ray discs. This is why ports like the Orange Box had crappy load times. Because they didn't use BD for what it was meant to do: hold more data.

http://playstation.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/mtv-demystifies-ps3-mandatory-installs/

rgoff31 @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:33PM

Just like movies, it's a teaser. The trailer lets you know something is in the pipe but not coming out soon.

Popfrogs @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:47PM

I think the only thing in *this* pipe is a turd. Worst. Trailer. Evar.

adolson @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:04PM

MGS4 has already filled a Blu-ray disc, although that is an exclusive.

However, had it been coming to 360 as well, they likely would have just gone the multiple disc route, just as other large games have for over a decade.

Lost Oddessy, a 360 exclusive, is on something like four discs... I'm glad I won't have to swap discs, but game storage really isn't a factor beyond annoying some easily agitated gamers.

That said, I am one of those easily agitated gamers, so I'm glad Sony put Blu-ray into the PS3.

adolson @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:05PM

...I don't get it.. that was supposed to be a reply to #8... I clicked Reply.. It said replying to... ..ok anyhow.

hplcman @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:07PM

I've seen better 'trailers' come out of my ass.

komrad @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:08PM

That was a weak introduction, at best.

drdre74 @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:09PM

lol i cant believe they think this is gonna sell after GTA comes out. lol!

Riley Freeman @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:13PM

personally i dont mind load times. or installation i rather have a huge place to play in so i dont get bored or finish the game fast.

i didnt mean the more space meant more power i meant it as a larger game more things to do places to explore.

sort of like playing in one city vs playing in an entire state.

multiple discs is an option but maybe then people will be like hmm instead of having to switch disc all the time ill go get a ps3 just my opinion.

HektikLyfe @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:27PM

DLC can make any modular storage media pointless. I can see a very near future where the DISC only contains the interface and perhaps the game engine and all other content is downloaded and stored on a hard drive.

Both the PS3 and 360 can technically do this. Any additional storage requirements can be fulfilled by the hard drives.

I don't think developers are too concerned about storage limitations. The more vocal complaints from them are about the lack of development support and XBox Live Arcade size limitations.

Elias @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:35PM

Yeah WTF?

Even Rockstar games the creators of GTA don't do this and they can because most gamers like GTA.

WTF does Saint's Row think they are!

Show some freakin footage.

Fraser JK @ Apr 2nd 2008 4:11PM

Like many people I know, I never got to play the 1st one so am kinda in a strange position.

Might pick it up to see all the gang warfare that GTAIV will definitely lack... but apart from that ain't really sure!

Zombie Huggles @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:05PM

I too wonder why they're bothering with Saints Row 2. I could see when the original released how it was one of the first next-gen games on the market, it had it's "own place" despite being a GTA clone. But with GTA4 showing the world how open-world gaming is going to be on next-gen platforms, I think they should have bailed on this ridiculous story they have planned ad gone multiplayer only...or something.