Saints Row 2

The sick filth you've been looking for. [Mar 2009, p.64]

Like GTA used to be before it got all serious. This isn't just a sandbox, it's a brilliant, personalised playground of fun. [Mar 2009, p.92]

A real challenge to... you know, that other sandbox game... Saints Row 2 expands on the original with a dizzying level of complexity. Stilwater is back and bigger than ever - there's so much to see and do you'll be entertained for hours.

On the surface, Saints Row is an easy game to hate. Actually, I have a feeling that a lot of players and reviewers will write this game off for the sheer stupidity at play at all times. But to do so would be a big disservice to a game that tries hard to do a lot of things and show you a good time. Did we have a good time? Definitely.

The ruthless butchers of Stillwater are back to redefine evil in games. This gangster sim is as vile as possible, and I don't mean the way the game is made... perhaps with the exception of graphics. It's something for everyone who tried everything in games. Turns out there's a thing or two left. The atmosphere is great, a bit weird, a bit clownish - but the Liberty City remains far above. [Mar 2009]

Though Saints Row 2 profits from its easy and humorous atmosphere, those can’t make up for its technical weaknesses. Especially the empty-headed AI and the indefensible hardware needs grind my gears. As a PC gamer I am at least completely happy with the wonderful multiplayer co-op mode which keeps up the multiplayer rating.

This game is little more than a lowbrow, yet humorous, thug-life simulator.

Though not particularly memorable, Saints Row 2's huge volume of quests and goofy side missions make it one of the better open-world crime games available, but the PC port's technical scars drag it down. [Mar 2009, p.70]