Why Grand Theft Auto IV Is Better Than Saints Row 2

TheKoalition.com: Although Grand Theft Auto IV failed to "wow" many long time fans of the series, some may think that the rival sandbox title Saints Row 2 instantly took the crown as the best criminal open world experience. Even leading up to Saints Row 2's release I was preaching how they just might out do Grand Theft Auto and take the crown. However now that I got the chance to play Saints Row 2, I feel that anyone who thinks that Saints Row 2 did a better job than Grand Theft Auto 4 is just saying it because it's a cliche thing to say. Grand Theft Auto IV to me remains the king of the open world sandbox genre and I will explain why I feel Saints Row 2 is no where near it's level.

[chaosatom]

gtaiv is pretty darn good to run around in. But the mission sucked, and guns too, also the money too and clothing too.

Some trophies were fun to get, but I still didn't feel like playing missions or watching cut scenes.

[WANNA GET HIGH]

Saint row 2,GTA 3 is all better than GTA4... Enough said...

[ChampIDC]

From a pure technical standpoint, GTA4 wins, but SR2 is just plain more fun to mess around in.

[Danja]

GTA4 is a technically better game..but SR:2 is just more fun...etc.

but GTA:SA...beat both these games..

[ape007]

saints row 2 is much more fun than gta 4

but if you look deeply at gta 4,you'r going to see tons of wasted potential,from the awesome city,to the amazing character,gta 4 truly feels a next gen game but gameplay in gta 4 was heavy,realistic,unresponsive,u ncomplete etc..

saints row 2 is like a younger brother to san andreas, so much fun,lots of things to do,great voice acting,awesome soundtracks,amazing missions,very good shooting mechanics,I recommend every ps3/360 owner to buy sr2,ignor sites,play it yourself.trust me,you'll not be disappointed.period

if gta 4 has awesome gameplay and more things to do,it will destroy saints row 2

[thereapersson]

Why the previous GTA's are better than GTA IV...

[r1sh12]

Fair enough the story isnt all that amazing, but its still good.
the multiplayer is soo sick which is why gta iv is still in the top 5 games played online on the xbox
SR2 didnt even make the top 20, no one plays that which says something..
most people who get 'bored' of gta only play 1 multiplayer gametype.
variety in a game makes a difference and GTA has that
SR2 and the SR series are always second to GTA..
end of story
sales figures show that

[JohnnyMann420]

The game was hyped up and people were starving for a good sandbox game. Also all of the gamers, like myself, were waiting for what came next in the series (after SA)

Keep in mind all of the mainstream attention it got...even fricken Time did a story on it.

Also, user hype, media hype...it was the perfect storm for awesome sales. GTA IV is a must buy, must play experience.

I think the next game in the series will sell well also, but am I am also guessing (via forums and general chatter) that some gamers will just wait for the reviews etc.

I am banking on more things to do in the next GTA. I am sure Rockstar knows that alot of fans felt the game had nothing to offer end game...and it really didn't....I think Rockstar will make right where GTA IV was wrong.

GTA IV did not live up to alot of gamer's fantasies plain and simple....regardless of sales.

[farhsa2008]

I could not disagree more, i have been saying the exact opposite for weeks now, the first one hour of siants row is more fun than the entire campaign of gta 4.

[JohnnyMann420]

I hate giving SR2 more credit than GTA IV, but I know which one I had more fun with (and that is what matters)

SR2 was the king of the sandbox last year in my eyes. GTA IV just stripped down too many of its fun stuff to do.

For some reason I think most GTA Purists (the people that used to play SA and VC) would prefer SR2 over GTA IV, but that is just my opinion.

[va_bank]

GTAIV was my MOST anticipated game ever, because I didn't think they would let it turn for the worst.

[LeShin]

"Why Saints Row 2 is better than GTA 4?"

I still play it....and that's without trophies!

If I wanted something pretty to look at, I'd buy a painting. Saint's Row 2 is about fun.

[Eiffel]

Saints Row 2...Didn't we already have a San Andreas?

[farhsa2008]

not for this gen.

[Gantrfaxx]

I've grown up. And GTA has grown up so i prefer GTA4. The story is amazing and deep. The game itself is more than just running around town, killing people and blowing up vehicles. I had enough of that in previous GTA games on Ps2.
But that's just me.

[Official General]

However I still think GTA 4 is a better game in many ways. GTA 4 obviously has much better graphics, more visual detail, better character animations and better storyline. The city environment in GTA 4 looks a lot more realistic and more immersive than the one in Saint's Row 2. If GTA 4 had everything Sainst Row 2 had and still kept it's original features then it would easily beat Saints Row 2. But as good as it looked, GTA 4 missed out many things and disappointed many of it's fans. I feel Rockstar just ruined their best opportunity to finally make a true New-York based GTA title with everything in it to make it an epic and near-perfect classic sandbox/action game. Saints Row 2 maybe more fun and have more things to do, but I think that the graphics are too cartoony and many aspects of the game are just too gimmicky to consider it a serious rival sandbox game to GTA 4. I think both games are good in their own way, they both lack too many things for me to say one or the other won the battle. I own both games, I'd say just play both if you really still like crime sandbox games.

[va_bank]

The worst part about the environment in GTA is that there are barely any people in Manhattan! I work in NYC and it's never that empty, not even at 3 AM.

Driving through Algonqiun/Manhattan at 12 in the afternoon, I felt like I was playing a game based on "I am Legend"

EDIT: also 1.) Saint's Row's Stillwater, on the other hand, has lots of people on the street at any given moment. 2.) Realism is not the same as fun. 3.) Have you played the SR side mission where you have to break up a fight between pirates and ninjas? That alone deserves game of the year award! :))))

[NaiNaiNai]

i went and played saints row 1 & 2, and i found them both to be horrible games, way to many glitchs, horrible control schemes, poor car physics, it makes a good poor mans GTA. but other then that, its nothing special. if you had a choice between buying GTA4 for 60$ or saints row 2 for 60$ i know most people would still pick GTA4. why, the numbers already prove that.
-nai-

[360theAssasinsCreed]

i am 28 years old and i still prefer saints row 2 over GTA IV so all this talk about its for kids is hilarious considering kids should not be playing either of these games LOL. Its all what your looking for in the sandbox style game i just prefer the over the top destruction you can cause in SR 2 that's fun to me. Come on now you know its funny to be in a septic tank hosing people with crap LOL. But yes i give GTA IV plenty of respect i still like the franchise but i was let down and it was due to me expecting the old style GTA's. I personally don't like the new direction of the GTA series but i can respect those who like it i have no reason to slam people for their opinions that's what they are.

I mean seriously guys who cares play what you like and prefer that's all that matters here. I own both games but for me i am still playing SR 2 and haven't touched GTA IV since beating it.

i like the color blue doesn't make it the ultimate color choice does it? LOL i mean come on guys loosen up and stop protecting games like they are you own children or family its not that crucial it really isn't.

[JohnnyMann420]

...and don't forget about all of the customization options in SR2.

[marichuu]

GTA4 wins in:
Sound
Graphics
Physics
Story

SR2 wins in:
Gameplay/co-op
Customization/content
FUN (most important about games)
Driving

Aside from the co-op in SR2, I'm quite disappointed with the performance of the multiplayer in both games.

[va_bank]

This article compares multiplayer even though MP sucks in both games.

[shamv]

I know one thing. Mafia 2 will sh.t all over gta4 and sr2. Believe it...

[va_bank]

I'm also hoping Godfather II will impress... I kinda liked the first one, it had it's own feel. Driving was boring though.

[jcgamer]

If GTA IV was "more of the same', gamers would still be complaining...that's why Gears 2, Halo 3, etc. try to "recreate" past areas of success...cause developers and publishers know that's what the hardcore fan of the franchise really wants...it's a sad cycle...then gamers joke saying "1.5" or "2.5" ...and stop acting as if past GTA installments were "perfect" and didn't have naysayers...some people thought Vice City was an expansion pack and San Andreas was "too bloated" and "overrated" oh nostalgia...

[va_bank]

But have you actually played Saints Row? Because I also thought GTAIV was pretty good, until I got SR2 and GTAIV's flaws bacame obvious.

I think Yahtzee's review is the most accurate one and a great comparison between GTAIV and SR2:

http://www.escapistmagazine...

[jcgamer]

thanks for the reply...no I haven't and I might give it a go...my comment doesn't take issue with Saint's Row...I'm sure some gamers enjoy it...my comment is talking directly to GTA fans who KNOW better...they KNOW Rockstar lays a foundation with the first GTA installment in a generation...they know the first game is more darker and the framework to build on...they know GTA: ? City will build upon GTA IV's solid foundation...just imagine if Rockstar gave us everything and the kitchen sink with GTA IV?

[JohnnyMann420]

I'm telling you....check it out.

Everyone in here praising SR2 is just like you, promise.

I am a huge GTA fan in general and it was hard to admit SR2 fed me what I was really looking for in GTA IV.

GTA IV is beautiful, it really is, but SR2 is just plain old fun. I personally liked the story too, but thats me.

Check it out either way!

[jcgamer]

cool..i may just go ahead and give SR2 a go...i appreciate the reply bro

[va_bank]

Get it used on eBay if you don't want to spend $60, this way if you don't want to keep it, you can put it back on eBay and only lose a couple of dollars on the whole thing.

Once you play it, you'll see what's wrong with GTAIV. The only thing IMO GTAIV did better is graphics, in that department they win hands down.

[Keowrath]

I need to join in with the praise for SR2. I never got a chance to play the original but in my opinion, SR2 blew GTA4 away.

I just thought I'd "give it a go" and was left thinking screw the next GTA, what's the next SR gonna be like!

Spraying the city in crap just never gets old lol.

Great customization, character/crib/vehicle/gang.
Great activities, Fuzz is MILES more fun than the old Vigilante, Insurance fraud is basically PAIN on a bigger scale, Septic avenger (see my above comment on spraying the city)
Better garage system, keep whatever you store, mod a car, stick it in the garage and it's yours forever exactly how you modded it, crash it, destroy, park it in the sea and it'll still be waiting for you at any of your garages. (you may have to pay to fix it up tho)
Better weapons and better way to store/select them
Better vehicles, personal UFO anyone?

GTA4 did look nice at night in the rain tho... =)

[yanikins111]

O_o

no....

[bmatthews]

I have played both games, so I have a more objective view than some people commenting, and I have to say SR2 felt like I was playing a joke, seriously, the story is cheesy, the gameplay mechanics work, but they feel so silly and childish, for example the driving sucks big time, the physics in the game are not up to GTA IV standard in any way, shape or form, and the graphics are really bad. not to mention the constant glitches and frame rate hiccups when taking on cops.

sure you could say it was more "fun", but I must say, the game feels too silly for me to enjoy, IMO GTA 4 still holds the crown, I love the realism, Euphoria physics, driving can take a little getting used to, but I love the realistic world detail in the pedestrians, cars, traffic, police e.t.c

the detail in GTA IV is outstanding.

[va_bank]

I don't think so. Almost everyone who commented here (especially those in favor of SR2) has played both. I have.

You are right about this: SR2 IS a joke, silly and childish. It doesn't take itself seriously, just like the old GTAs. Fun vs. Realism.

[CarnageXB]

I found saints row 2 alot more fun than GTA4. I love the weapons, the fighting styles, and the vehicles [planes, helicopters].

[zeeman]

I haven't played SR2 yet but will be picking it up this week.
GTA 4 is immense the way the world around 'lives' the driving physics the graphics but for me the game lacks soul and I blame this on the script and characters barring Brucie he was as GTA was and should be.

[Blaze929]

I've been playing Saints Row 2...CO-OP...for quite some time now and im loving it ALOT more than i did GTA4. Entire game in co-op alone made it that much better than GTA4. The script is even better and properly made, it has me laughing and its actually just GOOD.

Sure, technically, SR2 is no where near as good as GTA4 but overall game is.

[poeo]

i guess i'm in the minority but i really enjoy a game like GTAIV over Saint's Row 2. because deep down i dont really care about shooting poo on people, or customizing a virtual car, etc... i prefer an immersive, detailed, realistic game world, and a decent story (does SR2 even have a story??) INFINITELY more than that. maybe because i'm too old :/ i want ATMOSPHERE in games. something that takes your breath away. something like SotC, Assassin's Creed, Fallout 3... and yes i just compared GTAIV to SotC :P think about it: the monsters were the main stars of SotC, while Liberty City is the star of GTAIV. huge intricately detailed pieces of art (to me at least).

i DO agree GTAIV should have had a bit more content though, and better rock and rap radio channels... and more buildings to go into... but it was still amazing to me (considering it had to fit on ONE dvd...). it was the first game ever to use Euphoria physics, that alone made it a fresh experience, while SR2 just looks like a GTA:SA clone to me. and i've played GTA:SA quite enough by now..

just my 2 cents, and i know SR2 probably doesnt suck at all, im not saying its wrong to prefer it. it just doesnt appeal to me personally.

[Skerj]

SR2's story is actually pretty good and dare I say, better than GTAIV's. Less predictable and there's some good closure involved for people who played the first.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

They maybe open world but thet realy arn't the same, the gameplay and feel of both of these gane are to different. You will see lots of Playstation fans that were huge GTA IV fans before they learned that they wouldn't get the episodic content the 360 gets. So... they now dis GTA IV, a game they praised before. They flip flop like that alot here. Once DMC4, FF13, GTA IV, Tekken 6, Tomb Raider and Res Evil 5 went multiplat, they started hating.

[poeo]

don't generalize.

i'm the biggest ps3 fan i know, and i love GTAIV. i rather play it on a quiet and reliable system, because it's so good. and i love all the little touches in the audio design i wouldnt even hear if i was playing it on a noisy system.

[Johnny_Cojones]

The developers weren't trying to make the same product.

Let me give an example in movie terms.

Let's compare the film The Godfather: Part II to Crank.

I loved both films.

Most people would agree that Godfather II is a much better film.

Which one are you going to watch more frequently, though?

Personally, I've seen Godfather II twice in my life, & I've seen Crank about 4 times in the couple of years since it's come out.

It doesn't mean Crank is better.

It's just easier to get into in small increments.

Most people these days don't have much of an attention span.

GTA 4 enjoyed as a complete experience, from getting off the boat to the final choice you make, is a superior game.

Saint's Row 2 is a lot easier to play for 20 minutes before you leave for work.

[zeeman]

But JC how much 'freedom' did GTA have really? If you wanted could Goldberg/Goldstein live?...could Roman be saved?

This is my point GTA 4 has fantastic aesthetic elements but to me it was stripped down.

[Queers of War]

i regret buying sr2, the driving sucked

[guiltyhunter]

games su## hard they r games for simple minded ppl.