Saints Row or Grand Theft Auto? Clash of two Sandbox Titans

[Hentai-chan]

Today I'd like to discuss what people think is the better game and universe. Saints Row or Grand Theft Auto?

 

To tell the truth, I never really played a GTA game at any long period. So really don't have much to say about GTA, nor to shit on it, really.

 

I can say with confidence that I absolutely love Saints Row. As a TPS (third person shooter), Saints Row doesn't really bring any kind of innovation. But the reason why I love Saints Row has nothing to with its mechanics but more about the characters and the ridiculous things you do. Jumping off a plane to raid a military cargo plane, invading a virtual reality that's created by self-proclaimed god of a brat, then being transformed into a humanoid dragon-thing to fight him off in that very cyberspace. There are lots other ridiculous things that you in the game and I'd rather not spoil it for people who haven't the slightest clue of the game's existence.

 

Those who have played SR knows that all the things I said above are all from Saints Row The Third. Saints Row IV is a whole other story. And that story is one word. Superpowers. The inclusion of superpowers has really kicked up Saints Row IV, in my opinion. You can do pretty much anything that's humanely impossible. Jump over buildings that are stories tall, glide in air, run as fast as a speeding bullet even on water, if you've unlocked the last. There are cars but who needs them when you can just super-sprint or super-jump your way there. Of course, those aren't the only superpowers you have at your disposal. There are six more powers I haven't talked about. The first of which is Blast. It has three unlockable elements, Frost, Fire or Mind Control. Frost is the one you unlock upon acquisition of the power. It really not hard to use. Just point and shoot. Then there is Stomp. Certainly not the most practical power, it's shit without upgrades, but there is a certain kind of beauty to seeing your enemies fly off into the horizon. The third power is Buff. This is the only power that is useless unless you use it weapon but it makes all the difference when you unlock Frost element. Better yet Frost element of Buff benefits from Blast upgrades. How's that for a glitch? The last but most definitely not the least power is Telekinesis. Telekinesis, at its most basic, is moving shit with your mind. There's quite a bit of history behind it. The idea of people being able to move objects through mind power alone has intrigued people for centuries, though only in the late 1800s was it seen as an ability that might be scientifically demonstrated. This occurred during the heyday of the early religion Spiritualism,... but FUCK THAT SHIT! You move stuff with your MIND! How COOL is that!!!!!? You can use these powers seperately (like a noob), or be a total badass and make power combos. A shame that powers are restricted to the Simulation 31 (Boss' prison), but I guess that was a balancing act.

 

One thing I like about SR is the freedom it gives you. In decisions as well as the freedom to create and customize your character. Whlie she/he is defined in terms of personality, they're not in terms of appearence. I heard the last two games' customization suffered as opposed to the first two games (or just the 2nd, I don't know). But that doesn't mean it's necessarily bad. (But this from the dude who only played the last two.)

 

The last thing is the characters. SR.TT was good but SRIV is better. All characters are fleshed out very well and the voice acting makes characters come alive. Eh, in my opinion, anyway. I am personally in love with Laura Bailey's voice acting. She got me when she voice acted as Serana in Dawnguard. She is even better in SRIV. I mean vampires are good but badasses are better, Pity we never saw much badassery by Serana. I think she would have done a stellar job.

 

Is there nothing disturbing in Saints Row? Sure, there is. These things are only in DLCs so you'll never find them in the main game. In SR:TT, ıt's the Super Ethical PR Opportunity. I really don't like it when I am ordered murder people. I can stomach a bullet to the head but I completely oppose massacare on grand-scale. No wonder Boss wanted to kill Genki during SRIV main quest. In SRIV, the third mission of Enter the Dominatrix. A Dick throne, dick baloons, and let's not forget my latest nightmares, the DILDO BAT. The DILDO FUCKING BAT or by the name it had in SR:TT, The Penetrator. Those... those are just wrong. That's all I have to say.

 

Overall, Saints Row is too awesome not to fall in love with. I kind of wish I had played the previous games SR and SR2 but I am concerned that playing SR:TT and SRIV I won't be satisfied with those games.

 

So what do you think? Have you played either or both of those games? If you played either, what did you like or didn't about them? If you played both, which you go for? And is it a no-brainer and why?

[dje34]

As I never played any Saints Row game, it's GTA all the way for me, I know it's not a very useful vote because I can't compare the two games series but I have to say that I played Grand Theft Auto on Playstation back in 1997 (yes, sir ! in 2D and with crappy graphics !) and it was just sooooo cool to have a game like this one in 1997 on Playstation ! Take Two & Rockstar are veterans in video games and keep surprising me every time they make a new episode. Btw, GTA San Andreas is one of my favorite games.

[BAB PEEG]

These days I'd rather play SR then GTA, GTA hasn't been fun since san andreas.

[Reine]

As I've not played any Saint's Row games (and not from lack of interest), my answer would probably go for GTA.

 

But overall, I think it really depend on your mood. GTA goes for a bit more of a realistic approach, while the last couple Saint's Row games are much more focused on silliness.

[Captain Cobra]

GTA:San Andreas and Saints Row 2 are the best games in their respective series.

[Angrybird]

I don't know if SR is really a titan but yeah GTA feels clunky to me.

[ToJKa]

I prefer Saints Row. I like how it doesn't take itself too seriously And the extensive character creation and customization helps too.

 

I lost interest in GTA well before getting anywhere in 4, and thus have had no interest in looking into 5. San Andreas and especially Vice City were pretty great though.

[Darkening Demise]

SR is a complete piece of shit that makes no sense and has the worst sense of humor known to existence.

GTA is more serious and realistic, it was also here before SR, which SR is just a clone trying to rip off fans of the open world genre with shittier and shittier sequels every few years.

 

Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row are also two different games. What's next, you gonna compare Mario Kart to Halo? Or even better Pong to The Elder Scrolls?

[Captain Cobra]

which SR is just a clone

 

 

 

Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row are also two different games

 

 

Guy, please.

[Cynical Misanthrope]

Well, tough nut. I never played SR1 but I did play SR2 alot. I liked SR2 very much. (still do btw) Tons of customizations to both your character and vehicles, cribs, and 3 major campaigns (well 4 if you count Ultor as well). The option to play male/female, and pick what voice-set and animations you use. A thing like that is just a big win for me. The story for me were/are awesome, and the silliness and humor never went overboard.

 

So the story itself felt serious and I actually started to care about my members. All these stupid things you can do, like spraying excrement on houses and people, and all other silly activities were never in the way of the campaign. More like something you did between the missions, to just fuck shit up, for some giggles. And they never forced them upon you.

But rewarded you with all kinds of stuff.

 

 

Damn, wanted to post a few screenshots, but I'm not allowed to use the img extension. And I am to lazy right now to upload them somewhere else

 

 

Then the 3rd came, and all things that made SR2 just pure gold were gone. Sure the humor were there, but personally I do not think it's funny to run around and beat ppl to death with an dildo. The humor started just to get dumb. Not in a good way, but awkward and I had hard time even smile a little when the game tried to be funny. Game got dumbed down in terms of customizations and everything you do feels just awkward. Driving/handling of the cars, got a big upgrade so kudos for that. But for me the magic were gone. And they also started to force you to do all these activities (wich was optinal in SR2) by baking them into the campaign.

 

I haven't touched SR4, but since it was supposed to be a dlc for the 3rd, I'm sure I wont like it. Sure going rampart with super powers sounds fun, but there are other games far more better for that.

 

---

 

Only GTA I have played is the 3rd, Vice City and GTA4. 3rd and Vice was just pure gold. But that was very long time ago I played them so sadly I do not remember much.

4th was okay, but tbh, I was not a huge fan of it. Game is awesome and all that, but it never really touched me. Goin on dates, bowling and all that, fun sure, but that's pretty much about it.

 

So, in terms of gameplay, both are similar but at the same time different. (well, thinking mostly of the old SR games now) they both have their strengths and weakness.

 

I would like to vote on SR, but thats because I have SR2 back of my head. The path they have taken today is something I cannot support thou. And my experience with GTA is limited.

 

Tough nut indeed.

[Hentai-chan]

SR is a complete piece of shit that makes no sense and has the worst sense of humor known to existence.

GTA is more serious and realistic, it was also here before SR, which SR is just a clone trying to rip off fans of the open world genre with shittier and shittier sequels every few years.

 

Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row are also two different games. What's next, you gonna compare Mario Kart to Halo? Or even better Pong to The Elder Scrolls?

 

You, sir, are being an asshole! Someone piss in your coffee today?

 

I haven't touched SR4, but since it was supposed to be a dlc for the 3rd

It is not a DLC for the 3rd. It is set in a virtual Steelport. While the city remains largely the same, it is slightly different. I suggest you try it out. Who knows? You might like it.

 

And they also started to force you to do all these activities (wich was optinal in SR2) by baking them into the campaign.

I agree. Some of those activities are just bullshit. Personally, I think the worst ones are those Escort missions. They are simply not fun. I mean, were they high when they made those missions? Missions like Mayhem, Heli Assault are fun. Even Traficking missions can be fun if you know how to do them. *wink wink* I really wish that they made missions that were more fun in SR:TT.

[BAB PEEG]

What always made my blood boil in San Andreas was when you had to do racing missions. TIMED racing missions.

[dje34]

What always made my blood boil in San Andreas was when you had to do racing missions. TIMED racing missions.

 

I agree !

Had to use the old 'flying cars' cheat code to end the most difficult ones... Was a big cheat but worked and so I did 100% in game stats, or else I couldn't have done it ! I'm not a good virtual pilot.

 

GTA San Andreas must be the only game telling me I did 100%... with Resident Evil : Nemesis as well, I ended it 8 times to see all endings and have all stuff/guys, I don't know if it took me as long as it took to get 100% in GTA : SA, though.

[Cynical Misanthrope]

It is not a DLC for the 3rd. It is set in a virtual Steelport. While the city remains largely the same, it is slightly different. I suggest you try it out. Who knows? You might like it.

 

Volition, the developer said, that the game was originally intended to be DLC for SR3, but they wanted to include so much stuff that they simply made it into a full game instead.

 

Thats why I said it was "supposed to be a dlc"