I love open world exploring games, but I hate games that celebrate thug life. Thought somehow that this game was going to be something more, but nope. Terrible game mechanics, bugged missions, and a game that glorifies murdering bystanders. Not for me.
Despite their claim, GOG fixed nothing and the game runs the same as the Steam version (it doesn't). This is truly a great game, but the horrible PC port makes it almost unplayable. Mods don't help, either. I don't understand how "The game actually works now people" review is voted the most helpful when that's clearly not true.
I like all of the Saints Row games. Even the first game on the 360! However, 2 is the overall best, in my opinion. The story is relatively grounded (more GTA-esque than The Third was), and the minigames felt properly rewarding, giving you special weapons and stat boosts for completing them.
However. One thing holds it back from the five star rating - DLC. PC is the only platform that didn't get the two DLCs, one of which helps the transition into The Third's story (in content, not tone). It's ridiculous that only one platform doesn't get it, and that the only in progress mod to port the missions over only has part of one working. It would quickly become a 5-star rating if the new owners of the IP would have Volition port the DLC, like what happened with Red Faction: Guerrilla.
I'm from germany, so please excuse my english.
The best games are those that teach you something. Saints Row 2 tought me, that console ports of third person games are the biggest garbage in the history of gaming.
Graphics/aesthetics
This game came out three whole years after Oblivion and stilll manages to have worse graphics and a much poorer face generator. It certainly does not help me when i try to create a face and my avatar constantly moves around. The character constantly "dances" on a spot and you try to concentrate on the small portion of the face that you are currently modifying, i must admit, i got sick in my stomach.
Of course, the character can stand ramrod stiff in one place: When you try on new clothes and bling-bling. But this is exactly the situation when i want it to move, so i can see the new clothes in motion and to see if they are clipping anywhere BEFORE i pay money for them. In short: The developers made every mistake they could and i'm certain they are even proud of themselves.
Controls:
This game once again proves why console games have such a strong auto aim: Gamepads are not suited for precision controls and are much to hard program. Be it with mouse/keyboard or gamepad, the controls are clunky, unprecise and in case of vehicles totally broken. When there is a mod out there with the purpose of fixing vehicles to oversteer, that says everything. No mater how soft and short you press the key, the car/truck/motorcycle crosses over the complete lane into the oncoming traffic or the sidewalk. Driving in a straight line is simply not possible because (again) the controls are not smooth enough.
I tried for two days to get into this game, it is not possible to enjoy this.
There are enough great games out there, so i won't waste my time with a game that was badly ported and most likely, never good programed in the first place.
If you think i was to harsh on the game, just search the internet for "Saints row 2 bad PC port", i wish i had done it