Saint's Row

Written by Nick Doukas  on September 20, 2005

First Impressions: Doing a drive-by on GTAЕ

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Saints Row, the new GTA clone from publisher THQ is due to hit the Xbox 360 (you've heard about that thing right?) sometime within the launch window, which could be anywhere from 2 Ц 3 months after the new hardware debuts. Having seen extensive gameplay footage demonstrated by the developers to the press, I can tell you that while Saints Row may draw its inspiration (if by inspiration you mean copied exactly right down to the map and other HUD elements) from the GTA series, it looks to outclass its predecessor by a country mile. Incredibly slick visuals, ultra-detailed and realistic character models, weapons and cars - not to mention out of this world physics - put Saints Row on top of my most wanted list.

Saints Row puts you in control of a fully customizable gang-banger and turns you loose in a tremendous clockwork city to commit random crimes, advance the plot, participate in illegal street races, rob stores, kill people Ц you get the idea. The first thing one notices about SR is the game's fantastic good looks. Character models are intricately detailed, lighting and shadow effects are outstanding, physics are looking insane and the entire world comes to life like never before thanks to the power on tap for the new generation. While it may lift the GTA formula wholesale, it appears that so far the developers have been able to revamp and refine both the graphics and feature set to levels unattainable on current generation hardware. Saints Row is looking very appealing indeed.

You'll begin life in the game as a Third Street Saint, one of the many gangs inhabiting the dozens of districts throughout the immense city (which is open in its entirety to you from the outset Ц no need to unlock areas). Featuring a more open-ended world than ever before, Saints Row doesn't really have missions. Instead, the activities you undertake during the usual free-roaming mayhem will actually help you propel the plot forward. There's no single thing that you must do in order to complete the game, however if you create enough trouble in any given district (attacking rival gangs, robbing stores Ц which is much more realistic and interactive than I've seen before Ц chasing down hookers, drug trafficking and other assorted acts of random chaos) and complete enough УactivitiesФ you'll kick off a mission or initiate an attack on an enemy gang's stronghold. Once you emerge victorious you'll rule that particular district. Hit all the districts in town and repeat the process and eventually you'll own everything. Sweet!!

As you begin to take over areas your renown will grow, as will respect. You'll use the spoils from your crime-sprees to purchase better clothes, jewelry, fancy cars and all manner of other ill-gotten gain. In an interesting gameplay twist wearing your colors will allow you to accomplish goals in a quick and efficient manner, but it will also bring heat down on you from cops and rival gangs. If you wear street clothes it will take you longer to finish your tasks but you'll be far more incognito. The developers want players to feel empowered in the game. Free to do whatever they want at any given time, but always moving forward in an organic way. To this end everything you do in-game is rewarded. The intent is not to control the player, but to bestow bonuses for doing the things they'd be having a blast doing anyway. For example, just randomly cruising the streets doing drive-bys (which look amazing as the cars feature a fully controllable camera for a 360 degree view at any given timeЕyou can shoot forward, backwards and to the side) garners you a small amount of respect points. A step up from that could be something like an activity that involves an assassination. You can use whatever weapon you like, but doing the hit with a sniper rifle is favorably rewarded. The AI pedestrians throughout the city will comment on your appearance and treat you accordingly. If you're still a lowly gang rat, they'll treat you poorly, insult you and try to run you out of the area. Come back later as a captain or lieutenant and their reactions are decidedly different. You'll also be able to recruit fellow gang members or other assorted shady characters (up to 3 at a time) to help you with activities. Just bust out the Blackberry, ring Сem up and they'll arrive shortly to ride shotgun Ц literally.

Visually Saints Row looks amazing. The entire city is super detailed, as are the character models and vehicles. Incredible lighting and highly reactive texture surfaces make the city of SR really come to life. Using tons of new shader technology, the artists have layered everything with multiple texture and normal maps for unprecedented realism. SR also sports the Havok physics engine so explosions, car wrecks, rocket launcher insanity and anything else that makes stuff go boom looks incredibly cool. From run-down neighborhoods and bustling downtown areas to seedy wharfs and red light districts, Saints Row looks gorgeous. The sound is coming along nicely as well, with excellent sound effects and 13 radio stations (2 are talk shows) to choose from, not to mention the ability to import custom soundtracks into the game. Radio commercials also tie into the world meaning you'll hear ads for the stores you'll be shopping in (or perhaps robbing). You may also hear news of your exploits over the air as you race about the city running drugs, gunsЕ..whatever.

Saints Row features a robust multiplayer portion for up to 12 players on 360 Live. There are 7 modes of online play including Gang vs. Gang, Collect Chains (by killing their owners) and Bling My Ride. In this gametype, 2 rival gangs begin attempting to pimp-out their respective cars and deliver them to the buyer before the other. The catch is that each group has to drive to different locations to buy parts and at any given time the opposing team can attack and attempt to destroy their car. Sounds like a recipe for hours of fun and pandemonium. In a very cool addition, your time spent online playing SR will be tracked and recorded. The more you play online, the more credits you receive. You can use these credits at the online store to totally max out your character. In other words, it will quickly become evident just who the noobs are and who the pimp-daddies are when you sign-in to a multiplayer game. Nice!!