Saints Row 2 (Xbox 360)

'Isn't that the game that copies GTA?' my mate asked me when I told him I was reviewing Saints Row 2 rather than heading for the pub....

That seems to be the general vibe when discussing Saints Row 2 - lets clear one thing up - wrong.

Saints Row is a different beast entirely, it feels a bit more personal to start with, being able to fully customise your character, gang and car...

There is a less serious feel to the game than in GTA, it is the same gang warfare themes but there is a lot less emphasis on getting things done and much more emphasis on having some fun, Saints Row is a addictive, and it's a laugh. It doesn't try to be GTA, but it does of course have a plethora of similarites.

Graphically it falls short of GTA but it doesn't fall short of what's acceptable - graphically this is mega, very nicely designed, a great city and superb characters - there is a vast amount of challenges and excitement involved in the game and multiplayer as with GTA gives the game a whole new lease of life.

The buzz word of Saints Row would be carnage, that's what it's all about, blow stuff up tear around causing chaos at a breackneck speed an laugh a lot whilst doing so!

There is a story though honest, your character wakes from a coma to find a whole new city to the one he left behind... then you have to rebuild your gang and retain control.

Great graphics and sound make Saints Row a very decent game indeed, the soundtrack is quality and has some good voice acting too.

There are loads of similarities with GTA but this game is even more over the top and certainly a lot more fun. Expect plenty of violence and bad behaviour as you battle to take back the streets.

A good alternative but not a replacement.