D-Class 198482 said:
2. It looks like a DLC
This complaint is actually different from the first one - the first one goes after how the roots of the game where apparently from a DLC, while this one is just them attacking it because they think it *looks* like it should've been a DLC.
Well, yes. It's going to have the same engine, graphics, and map because it was made alongside Saints Row the Third. Wah. Meanwhile, it's a 24 hour game (which isn't something DLCs /do/), has new enemies, buildings, powers, guns, customization options, gameplay, vehicles, storyline, characters, and minigames.
Which, if you'd recall, Saints Row 2 and Saints Row 3 had as well, thus categorizing Saints Row IV as a new game and not deserving of DLC status.
Then it is official and DLC was a way for devs to charge more for the same content as expansions. I have seen this "prophecy of naysayers" coming true more and more over the past two years.
I have never played a Saints Row Game as I am not all that interested in the IP. I own SR3 due to a bundle package on Steam and haven't even touched it.
However, your post has given me all the information I need to see that this "full game" is actually what used to be refered to as an "expansion". Same map in the same engine but with new enemies, buildings, powers, guns, customizable options, etc. All balled into a 24 hour experience. Most expansions fell in around 20 hours - but full games also used to fall in at about 40. I remember people hissing and spitting about DLC taking the place of expansions saying they would end up charging you more for the same thing - or worse, charging you more for less. I was torn at the time and could see a benefit to both. Bethesda is a good example of DLC done well, despite that I don't care much for their games overall. The Sims 3 is a great example of it done wrong where the base game is bare bones and every little thing costs you. A while back someone made a post about buying Sims 3 and all its add ins on Steam would cost over $500. Much of which is basic skins and models. Basically cosmetic options.
Stuff like this you mention:
New enemies
New guns
New customization options
New powers
New buildings
New vehicles
New characters
That stuff is all run of the mill expansion stuff. Especially considering the game is a sandbox. This leaves:
New gameplay (Which expansions usually add due to the above listed items)
New story (Many expansion tend to carry on a story further - not sure if that is the case here.)
New Minigames
I can't help but agree with this argument against the game just by looking at what I have read. To me, this doesn't look like a full game. It looks like an expansion being sold as a new game. I disagree with practices like this. I may not be seeing the full picture here, I'll admit. But from my perspective this looks like some small retextures and a new price tag.