Saints Row 2

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 411 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 337 out of 411
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 411
  3. Negative: 40 out of 411
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. HydrophobikFish
    Jun 9, 2023
    9
    Super fun gang-banger action. Wacky but self-serious, which creates some memorable and interesting moments in a game where youre encouraged to do stupid stuff all the time. Customization is top notch.
  2. Avey123Avey
    Mar 19, 2023
    6
    Very fun GTA clone with amazing multiplayer implementation. The game offers an incredible amount of variety and activities to do. There's quite a bit of customization here too which really sets it apart from other GTA clones. The biggest issue is that the gunplay is rather basic and mediocre. This starts to drag the game down a bit when doing main story missions which are mostly just madeVery fun GTA clone with amazing multiplayer implementation. The game offers an incredible amount of variety and activities to do. There's quite a bit of customization here too which really sets it apart from other GTA clones. The biggest issue is that the gunplay is rather basic and mediocre. This starts to drag the game down a bit when doing main story missions which are mostly just made up of combat. Still a fun game and has aged very well… Expand
  3. Alex_Pilgrim008
    Dec 29, 2022
    8
    In many ways, "Saints Row 2" is the true sequel to "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas". After GTA IV failed to meet fan expectations in May 2008, SR 2 came along 5 months later to pick up the slack. More immature than controversial, this game plays like the "Jackass " version of "Grand Theft Auto". It takes the sillier aspects of Rockstar's crime satire and multiplies it by ten. An improvementIn many ways, "Saints Row 2" is the true sequel to "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas". After GTA IV failed to meet fan expectations in May 2008, SR 2 came along 5 months later to pick up the slack. More immature than controversial, this game plays like the "Jackass " version of "Grand Theft Auto". It takes the sillier aspects of Rockstar's crime satire and multiplies it by ten. An improvement over the first game, Row 2 includes everything, but the kitchen sink. The story mode can be played cooperatively online and there is also multiplayer competitive modes. The game isn't truly great, but it's great fun. It fills the sandbox void left by GTA IV. I would rate it with an 8.3 out of 10.… Expand
  4. Tayebgat73
    Nov 13, 2022
    10
    THIS GAME IS PERFECT, PER-FECT , PERFECT , PERFECTION, YOU CAN LITERALLY DO ANYTHING YOU WANT, AND THIS GAME HAS DETAILS THAT YOU CAN NEVER FIND IN OTHER VIDEO GAMES , THE GANGS, THE CHARACTERS , EVERYTHING, THAT'S WHY THIS IS MY FAVORITE VIDEO GAME OF ALL TIME
  5. reb0rn
    Nov 1, 2022
    8
    While this game isn't perfect, it's fun. The story is pretty basic, the missions feel the same BUT you can pick up a trash can and throw it at a stripper.
  6. TyyroneMugga
    Sep 27, 2022
    9
    Gameplay = 8, Characters = 9.5, Visuals = 8.5, Story = 8, Uniqueness = 9.5.
  7. funnymystical
    Sep 15, 2022
    9
    Story: 9/10
    Missions: 8.6/10
    Activites: 10/10
    Driving: 9.4/10
    Multiplayer: dead unless you join a discord server for it
    Characters: 9/10
    Pacing: 8.8/10
  8. ElizA89
    Aug 29, 2022
    10
    14 years on, and Saints Row 2 still remains the best 3D game I have ever played from start to finish. However it is purely subjectively based on humour and entertainment. Other critically acclaimed games which have higher review scores objectively have more to them, but fall flat in places or struggles to maintain my interest near the mid-point or conclusion. There is good reason the14 years on, and Saints Row 2 still remains the best 3D game I have ever played from start to finish. However it is purely subjectively based on humour and entertainment. Other critically acclaimed games which have higher review scores objectively have more to them, but fall flat in places or struggles to maintain my interest near the mid-point or conclusion. There is good reason the company who made Saints Row found the lost PC source code and are attempting to fix it over a decade later.… Expand
  9. deedz
    Jun 22, 2022
    10
    Better then gta! . . . . / . . ., c.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . .. .. . .
  10. DreamDays
    Jun 14, 2022
    10
    i played this game at 2011 with my brother and the co-op adventure was so fun that got me started into this series, one of the funniest and entertaining series of all time
  11. maintitle
    May 31, 2022
    10
    Gotta love a sequel that adds the ability to play a woman bafflingly late, because it allows you to just assume you've been playing a trans woman all along. Make it canon, cowards.
  12. graymay2
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Funnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
  13. TheArabCommandr
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    i really loved this game when i was a kid and i still do so i highly recommend
  14. CloudStrife05
    Aug 20, 2021
    8
    Saints Row 2 brought what the original did but with a few different changes. It was a prelude of what was to come with the next installment.
  15. Fridg3
    May 8, 2021
    10
    Best one in the series. If you played 3 and thought it was good. Go back to 2 and see why the old timers were disappointed
  16. gywssv
    Dec 8, 2020
    0
    Absolutely horrible gameplay, camera and vehicle controls, story, writing, tons of lag(even on Xbox One), terribly frustrating side missions make this overall a massive waste of time. I would not ever recommend this to anyone, ever.
  17. storygamer
    Oct 21, 2020
    8
    Saints Row 2 is the last game of the series before it became completely nuts. And this title is really great! While the story isn´t worth a penny the main focus of this game is on fun. If you´re a fan of open world action games with cool graphics and soundtrack and a varied gameplay, you will enjoy this title! It´s not a GTA but a lovely gang war simulator.
  18. genesisdoes
    Oct 2, 2020
    9
    Saints Row 2 is a contender for my favorite game of all time. It may not have to strongest narrative, the best controls or the prettiest graphics but, to me, it undoubtedly packs some of the most fun I've ever had into a single game.

    Every aspect of the game from the most extensive character customization of its era to the massive open world that you can get lost in for months... it all    Saints Row 2 is a contender for my favorite game of all time. It may not have to strongest narrative, the best controls or the prettiest graphics but, to me, it undoubtedly packs some of the most fun I've ever had into a single game.

    Every aspect of the game from the most extensive character customization of its era to the massive open world that you can get lost in for months... it all comes together to make what I would call a near perfect gaming experience. That's obviously just my preference though.

    The amount of content crammed into this game is astounding and far surpasses almost every other open world game. The customization is rivaled only by games that had several years of innovation to keep up. The dialogue is witty and clever, the map is amongst the best of any open world game... I can seriously go on and on.

    The biggest issues are the outdated controls and subpar graphics. Both can be fixed on PC and aren't necessarily the games fault. I'll leave it at that before I type an entire novel. Saints Row 2 is (maybe) my favorite video game of all time and I think it might stay that way for a while.
    I beat this game in August of 2019 after beating it many many many times before.    … Expand
  19. Cementer200
    Sep 27, 2020
    10
    Saints Row 2 is a masterpiece. SR2 is a open world game set in modern times in the same city from the first game. The main story is great and the side activities are also great.
  20. frederik1478
    Jun 22, 2020
    10
    my favourite sandbox games of all time, Mostly because it was one of the first I played on my PlayStation 3 and I have loved it ever since, But I do try to play it every Year, The story still hold up today with some surprising Dark scenes enter story when you play as an amoral psychopath , I would with my full Heart recommended
  21. brendo214
    May 22, 2019
    10
    Growing up, Saints Row 2 was my favorite game. I loved everything about it.
  22. ElSeano89
    Jun 9, 2018
    7
    Whilst SR2 was never going to age gracefully; it didn't look brilliant when it was new 10 years ago, it's still the same fun romp that it ever was. This was without doubt the peak of the SR series which was likely the most successful GTA clone series ever made. The first game capitalized on the gaming worlds longing for an open world game during the wait for GTA IV. This second game cameWhilst SR2 was never going to age gracefully; it didn't look brilliant when it was new 10 years ago, it's still the same fun romp that it ever was. This was without doubt the peak of the SR series which was likely the most successful GTA clone series ever made. The first game capitalized on the gaming worlds longing for an open world game during the wait for GTA IV. This second game came out around 6 months after the release of GTA IV and that works to it's detriment and to it's benefit.

    One thing GTA IV left a lot of people wanting was just some good old fashioned mayhem, carnage and violence. Whilst it is a technological marvel of its time IV was very heavy going and a departure from the sheer zaniness of San Andreas. IV's gritty realism meant that you couldn't really go on rampages or the like without it feeling like a massive departure from the games tone. SR2 certainly doesn't opt for gritty realism, in fact it tries extra hard to be extra zany.

    This is a game where you are ranked for shooting people in the nuts, a game where you can throw people from high bridges, spray houses with excrement, help a suburban housewife sell drugs, watch as a crowd of pimps gets into a brawl with a mob of cops. Ragdoll physics abound and are as entertaining now as there were then. SR2, then, is a game where you don't really feel bad about running about 8 people on your way to the clothes store. It encourages you to be a psychopath and that is a large source of its fun. Combat is simple but fun and engaging with a good variety of weapons.

    In fact there is a good variety of absolutely everything in SR2. You can customize nearly everything you come into contact with, cars, planes, boats, bikes, helicopters and of course yourself. The character customization to this day is quite in depth and helps you create the sort of character that is likely to drive around killing and maiming all he sees. It leads to a further level of hilarity when in a semi serious cutscene your character is delivering lines with a bright pink bandana, kibuki make-up, no shirt, jean shorts and sandals with socks. The whole game panders to the idea that it is comically absurd. It's only very loosely based in reality but this was the perfect mix they came up with. Later games were zany to a fault and felt like they were trying too hard, this version was just right.

    The game-world is unquestionably the best one Volition ever made. For its time it is huge and they did well to add such a diversity of locations in the different districts. From the college campus to the museums, the undergrounds caves, high end shops to the projects even the cemetery and suburbs. Every area looks and feels different and is populated with NPCs to match. 10 years on this is still a gameworld worthy of praise and for all the realism of Liberty City I still think that between the two game worlds this was the better setting.

    Where it falls down however is graphically. Even for its time it wasn't great and now it has aged to the point of being pretty terrible. Textures are jagged, pop in is constant and blatant, cars are boxy and their designs are uninspired. There is a wide variety as there is with everything in this game but there isn't really any designs that made you stop and think that time and effort went into them. The driving physics and controls likewise were and are awful. Admittedly they are tuned more towards fun than realism but they take a lot of time to get used to the sensitivity of turning. Whats more cars all sound terrible, reach their top speeds very quickly and then play the same droning note of noise at top speed which gets old very fast.

    The story is hilariously juvenile. One thing I've never understood is the praise the rest of the world gives the games story. It's laughably poor and really what puts it on a different, lower tier than GTA IV. The dialogue is corny and awful. They don't really try for laughs too hard too often and when they do the jokes fall flat. With this in mind the cut scenes are all mostly skippable nonsense. The three gangs and the final Ultor storylines are dull, poorly scripted and not engaging in the least.

    But that isn't what SR2 was ever about. It was about being a true sandbox, a place to just have fun, blow stuff up and not think about the consequences which, ironically, was what GTA was when it began before it made the step to blockbuster AAA gaming and starting focusing more on storyline and narrative.

    10 years on this is still a great game and one I just spent 20 hours completing again. It is the best of the series and despite it's aging graphics and a couple of bug issues it was a blast to play through again. It doesn't take itself seriously nor does it encourage the player to do so whilst playing it and along the way it makes you have a lot of fun. This is probably still a better open world than some attempts nowadays (Mafia III...) and it speaks to its quality that it still holds up well today.    … Expand
  23. JoeC123
    May 28, 2017
    10
    What can I even say? I mean everything the story, game play, graphics, controls, characters, missions, strongholds, activities, best game sandbox ever, EVERYTHING! Great Easter eggs. This is my favorite game of all time and deaths i'm not gonna spoil them but they are so emotional! 10/10 Just buy it you'll be doing yourself a favor!
  24. Broyax
    Apr 13, 2017
    6
    Alternative très valable au sacro-saint GTA 4 -lequel est qu'une tornade dans un verre d'eau tiède d'ailleurs- cette suite de (l'éternel) challenger ne démérite pas malgré une technique très en retrait. Saints Row 2 reste évidemment encore trop proche du jeu de Rockstar mais son gameplay dans les phases à pied est indéniablement supérieur avec une maniabilité digne d'un vrai bon TPS.

    A    Alternative très valable au sacro-saint GTA 4 -lequel est qu'une tornade dans un verre d'eau tiède d'ailleurs- cette suite de (l'éternel) challenger ne démérite pas malgré une technique très en retrait. Saints Row 2 reste évidemment encore trop proche du jeu de Rockstar mais son gameplay dans les phases à pied est indéniablement supérieur avec une maniabilité digne d'un vrai bon TPS.

    A contrario les phases en voiture marquent clairement le pas. On peut ajouter qu'il est bien plus déjanté que son concurrent, que la personnalisation est toujours aussi poussée et qu'on peut enfin incarner une nana dans un jeu à la GTA, ce qui ma foi change du cul de Lara Crott pour une fois ! Les activités annexes soufflent le chaud et le froid et les quartiers contrôlés qui se font régulièrement attaquer finissent par lasser. Cependant, ce second épisode est en très sensible progrès par rapport au premier et demeure assez sympathique (dans l'ensemble).    … Expand
  25. peace0ut023
    Dec 2, 2016
    10
    **** gta 5 **** gta 4 **** gta san andreas this is my favorite gang open world game ever i love it 10/10 the story the ending the beginning the music the coop stuff one of the best 360 games i still play i don't rly play xbox one or ps games anymore bc of this game :D
  26. SixThreeTimes
    Jul 17, 2016
    10
    I've been playing games for going on two decades, and I've never played anything with the lasting appeal of Saints Row 2. Building off the excellent first entry in the series, 2 brought to life the most awe-inspiring open-world environment I've ever seen in a game. The story mixes comedy and seriousness expertly (not going to far in the former direction, as I feel the more recent SR gamesI've been playing games for going on two decades, and I've never played anything with the lasting appeal of Saints Row 2. Building off the excellent first entry in the series, 2 brought to life the most awe-inspiring open-world environment I've ever seen in a game. The story mixes comedy and seriousness expertly (not going to far in the former direction, as I feel the more recent SR games have), plays wonderfully, and has provided me just about everything I could ever want in a game like this. That said, I'd definitely buy the 360 version, as the PS3 & PC ports were awful, and neigh unplayable. The only other criticism I could levy is the less than stellar AI, but that could never ruin what is otherwise a simply flawless game. The graphics still hold up, the writing is wonderful, this is an absolute must-own.… Expand
  27. ThatOneGuy6667
    Sep 30, 2015
    10
    All I have to say is that I've played it for over 80 Hours and I love it. So that is all I can say....
    ................
    .....
    ........................
  28. AverageGamer381
    Sep 11, 2015
    8
    If you look at the negative reviews for this game, you will see some extremely thick people comparing this game to Grand Theft Auto IV. Despite their immense differences, the GTA fan boys continue to moan about any open-world sandbox that shares more than two features from their beloved franchise, this included. It's just a shame that this is one of the most fun and enjoyable games youIf you look at the negative reviews for this game, you will see some extremely thick people comparing this game to Grand Theft Auto IV. Despite their immense differences, the GTA fan boys continue to moan about any open-world sandbox that shares more than two features from their beloved franchise, this included. It's just a shame that this is one of the most fun and enjoyable games you will ever experience.

    The story of Saints Row 2 follows the protagonist, referred to as 'The Boss', from the first game, which was a mediocre experience. You wake up from a coma in a prison hospital, and after creating you character in immense detail, and killing about 80 prison guards who probably have kids who love them and rely on them to bring home money and food, you escape into Stillwater, the sandbox from the last game. But it's now been taken over by three new gangs; the tattoo-covered redneck sorts, the most stereotypical group of Jamaicans I've seen ever, and the nutty Japs dudes with katanas. And you retake the city and defeat the rival gangs across three separate campaigns for the three gangs, and you are free to move between them as you wish. If you get bored of one gang you can work on another for half-an-hour. After you kill the gang lieutenants you face one remaining opposition; 'Ultor', who officially rule the city. And after you get through the extremely difficult last missions the satisfyingly-lengthened story comes to a close.

    If you ever get bored of the missions you can always mess about in the sandbox. The weapons range from a foam finger that sends people into orbit, to a rocket launcher. Unlike GTA 4, police battles are exhilarating and fast-paced. Driving a sports car down a busy pavement, running over innocents by the dozen is better than GTA too, because your vehicle's speed isn't affected by the bodies that are constantly smashing against the bonnet. One of my favourite things to do was to stand atop a train, blow it up so the carriages fall onto the road below, and watch the chaos unfold. Unfortunately, flying aircraft is quite frustrating, but that is a problem videogames have always has, and probably always will.

    The thing that really sold the game to me are the cheats. You have the standard infinite ammo and never die, but there's also some crazy stuff, like low gravity, super explosions, heaven bound (dead bodies go to heaven), and milk bones, which increases the melee damage to ridiculous levels, and gives people a free ticket to the dark side of Saturn. I've played this game for almost 50 hours, and most of that time has been messing with the cheats. In total there are about 150-200 cheats I think. Another awesome feature is the clothing items you can wear. There's sensible business suits, dresses, hot-dog costumes and some bondage gear too.

    Overall Saints Row 2 is not a perfect game. It crashed three times in total and there are some glitches and bugs. But if you can look past these problems you will have more fun with this that perhaps any other game. 8/10. Frickin' awesome!    … Expand
  29. GamingGuy
    Feb 20, 2015
    10
    Overall, the game was a huge improvement from the first one!! A lot more activities to do when not playing the story, character customization was a HUGE improvement. And they didn't make the main character a mute which is a huge improvement to me!! The melee system improved a lot with executions at the end. Also when you defeat the main characters from the other gangs you unlock theirOverall, the game was a huge improvement from the first one!! A lot more activities to do when not playing the story, character customization was a HUGE improvement. And they didn't make the main character a mute which is a huge improvement to me!! The melee system improved a lot with executions at the end. Also when you defeat the main characters from the other gangs you unlock their fighting style which is really awesome. More melee weapons were included. As a continuation from the first one, it really made a huge improvement. The actual story was really good. Online gameplay is A LOT OF FUN!! Way better than the first one. Overall, if you beat the first saints row then this is a must buy!!… Expand
  30. ethanvenzin
    Nov 8, 2014
    10
    Simply the best saints row game ever,the newer saints row games just couldn't best this game the gameplay is very improved from 1 it is great and of course super fun and unlike GTA it's not stiff it's very fun with many activities and the story is also very very awesome your old homies are missing or either turns their back and you get to compete with 3 gangs and also ULTOR this is a superSimply the best saints row game ever,the newer saints row games just couldn't best this game the gameplay is very improved from 1 it is great and of course super fun and unlike GTA it's not stiff it's very fun with many activities and the story is also very very awesome your old homies are missing or either turns their back and you get to compete with 3 gangs and also ULTOR this is a super great game go pick this up… Expand
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2008
20
#20 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2008
54
#54 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 75 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 75
  3. Negative: 0 out of 75
  1. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    80
    This is a truly entertaining game. There's no pretension - just enjoyable mayhem. It doesn't claim to be the Messiah, but it is a very naughty boy. Volition has tapped into nearly every wanton act we'd want to commit in an open world and more besides. [Nov 2008, p.67]
    Read full review
  2. IGN
    82
    The technical shortcomings are the only truly bad part of Saints Row 2, but the core gameplay experience is extremely enjoyable.
    Read full review
  3. IGN AU
    80
    It's big dumb fun, Saints Row 2 isn't going to redefine any aspects of game design - but in doing so it does deliver on Volition's biggest promise: Saints Row 2 isn't Grand Theft Auto.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »