Saints Row 2 cover art

Saints Row 2

2008VolitionPlayStation 3, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox 360

After the events of the first game, you awaken from a coma to find that the Third Street Saints have all but disappeared. Much like Saints Row, you are charged with retaking the city from three rival gangs, only this time as the leader of the saints. While fighting the Sons of Samedi, The Brotherhood, and The Ronin, the Saints also antagonize the Ultor Corporation, which seeks to eradicate gang violence in Stilwater once and for all.

What it feels like

Comedy is a core genre trait, encouraging player experimentation and mischievous fun rather than serious tone. The game gleefully disrespects seriousness and genre conventions, with over-the-top gang culture and satire.

Playful75%
Irreverent70%

What it's about

Gang warfare and the criminal underworld are the central setting and conflict. Set in the recognizable modern city of Stilwater with contemporary urban culture and aesthetics.

Crime & Underworld85%
Contemporary60%

How it plays

Combat with firearms is central to the gameplay as a third-person shooter. Racing and vehicle control are core systems, as indicated by racing in the genre list. Standing with the Saints faction and rival gangs directly shapes access to activities and narrative progression.

Gunplay75%
Vehicular Control70%
Reputation & Factions65%
Character Builds50%
Resource Management50%

How it looks and sounds

Presentation is fundamentally third-person shooter perspective. The game aims for realistic urban environments and character models typical of mid-2000s sandbox games.

Third-Person80%
Photorealistic55%

How it's structured

The game is fundamentally built around a large, continuous open world that players explore non-linearly, with freedom to approach objectives in any order. Player choice and freedom to set their own goals is central—how to play, who to play as, and what activities to pursue. Despite the sandbox freedom, a bounded story arc of reclaiming the city from rival gangs and Ultor Corporation provides narrative structure.

Open World95%
Sandbox90%
Campaign75%
Single-Player70%
Nonlinear Progression65%
High Replayability55%

Shares Open World, Sandbox, Crime & Underworld, Third-Person.

Both lean into Open World, Sandbox, Crime & Underworld, Third-Person.

Open World95%Sandbox92%Crime & Underworld92%Third-Person90%
Saints Row73% match

Shares Open World, Sandbox, Crime & Underworld, Third-Person.

Both lean into Open World, Sandbox, Crime & Underworld, Third-Person.

Open World95%Sandbox90%Crime & Underworld85%Third-Person80%
Just Cause 272% match

Shares Open World, Sandbox, Third-Person, Vehicular Control.

Both lean into Open World, Sandbox, Third-Person, Vehicular Control.

Open World95%Sandbox92%Third-Person90%Vehicular Control88%

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