Zero Punctuation: Saints Row 4
- Thread starter Yahtzee Croshaw
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I think the interesting thing about the Saints series is that it really hasn't ever been the same thing twice. Sure there were similarities, and the overall genre was the same, but it really hasn't ever been real keen on true sequels. This of course leads to the ridiculous rifts in the fanbase with the SR2 crowd being high and mighty and what not, but putting that aside, I think that's a fantastic thing.
Other games tend to just do the same thing but different, or in a different place. The Elder Scrolls, for example, is basically just the same game with upgraded graphics and streamlined systems as time goes on. Saints Row, though? It always feels like a new game. For good or for ill, that was always neat to me, and I'd like to see more games actually do something similar. Doesn't look too likely though, what with every IP and it's mother being treated like a TV show series these days. Literally the only other IP that seems to be doing something similar is Bioware's Dragon Age, but I'm pretty sure that's unintentional.
IDK it's just cool. I really love all four of the games for different reasons, but I can see how their wild deviations might put a ton of people off, especially when we're used to sequels being essentially the same thing plus some extra shit, instead of new takes on the old formulas.
Other games tend to just do the same thing but different, or in a different place. The Elder Scrolls, for example, is basically just the same game with upgraded graphics and streamlined systems as time goes on. Saints Row, though? It always feels like a new game. For good or for ill, that was always neat to me, and I'd like to see more games actually do something similar. Doesn't look too likely though, what with every IP and it's mother being treated like a TV show series these days. Literally the only other IP that seems to be doing something similar is Bioware's Dragon Age, but I'm pretty sure that's unintentional.
IDK it's just cool. I really love all four of the games for different reasons, but I can see how their wild deviations might put a ton of people off, especially when we're used to sequels being essentially the same thing plus some extra shit, instead of new takes on the old formulas.
...Did he just say he doesn't like Johnny Gat? You are dead to me Yahtzee.
Okay not really but what the hell man.
Anyway I would say that Saints Row 4 manages to be better than Saints Row The Third because it actually finds its own new identity as a Prototype clone with Saints Row gunplay instead of being Saints Row 2 but shit like Saints Row The Third was. Not that Saints Row The Third is shit as in its a bad game. It's still a good game, it just plain doesn't compete with Saints Row 2 at all.
And on that note I will never understand the people who claim 1 and 2 were just GTA clones but 3 did something different. Did they play the games? 3 didn't do a goddamn thing different except for stripping out tons of content and trying to sell some of it back as DLC. And it had a giant dildo you can beat people with which was awesome (like I said, it's overall not a bad game) but doesn't actually change that they're the exact same kind of game.
Okay not really but what the hell man.
Anyway I would say that Saints Row 4 manages to be better than Saints Row The Third because it actually finds its own new identity as a Prototype clone with Saints Row gunplay instead of being Saints Row 2 but shit like Saints Row The Third was. Not that Saints Row The Third is shit as in its a bad game. It's still a good game, it just plain doesn't compete with Saints Row 2 at all.
And on that note I will never understand the people who claim 1 and 2 were just GTA clones but 3 did something different. Did they play the games? 3 didn't do a goddamn thing different except for stripping out tons of content and trying to sell some of it back as DLC. And it had a giant dildo you can beat people with which was awesome (like I said, it's overall not a bad game) but doesn't actually change that they're the exact same kind of game.
I haven't really saw much of SR4 but from what I've heard Johnny is just a thing that likes to kiss the boss' arse. In SR2 he had a lot of respect for him. In The Third he's chucked away in the first five seconds so I guess it comes as no surprise to hear a negative comment about him at this point.mjc0961 said:...Did he just say he doesn't like Johnny Gat? You are dead to me Yahtzee.
Okay not really but what the hell man.
Yeah, totally.Danceofmasks said:
Well, they approached it with an admirable lack of self-awareness. Well done, Wikiquotes.The Last Melon said:
OT: Seeing how I much preferred Saints Row 3 over Saints Row 2, I can only assume this is my GOTY.
Now, if only I had money...
And then assumedly Saints Row F? I actually really enjoyed playing this, but I probably won't pick it up again, especially not till they patch the "Where's my cape?" achievement glitch.Danceofmasks said:
HOLY SPACEBALLS!
I thought he was gonna hate on SR4. His complaints of clothing customization and lack of cutscenes before minigames from SR3 went nowhere.
But I guess if you take SR4 for what it is and not what I wanted it to be, it really is a mess. A really fun mess. A bunch of toys parodying and referencing things you know but they do it pretty well.
I thought he was gonna hate on SR4. His complaints of clothing customization and lack of cutscenes before minigames from SR3 went nowhere.
But I guess if you take SR4 for what it is and not what I wanted it to be, it really is a mess. A really fun mess. A bunch of toys parodying and referencing things you know but they do it pretty well.
Oh God, that's the worst possible entry into a series somebody could have, SR4 is barely a SR game, SR4 and SR+SR2 have barely anything in common.Piorn said:
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I get the feeling that all the fans of SR2 have just accepted that it's never coming back and this is the new Saint's Row...
Proved that to who?AJey said:
You?
I could counter that Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs proved that people want more than a good story in their games, and that would prove exactly as much (possibly more, because people are actually QUITE upset about the new Amnesia, while less than half are upset about the new Saints Row).
I disagree, if anything, games like Saints Row 4 prove that we need more games that don't take themselves too seriously. After playing Bioshock: Infinite, The Last of Us, Tomb Raider, then Far Cry 3 all in succession, I needed a game like Saints Row 4. Gaming today tries waaaaaay too hard to be serious, dark, and/or gritty, and while none of that is necessarily bad, having the occasional "mindless killy-stompy-bang-bang" game to keep some variety in this saturated industry is needed.AJey said:
I have a feeling the Boss would have more problems with getting elected than just a cockney accent.
So this game is just one big mess, but somehow Volition has managed to make it work? That's pretty impressive.
Once again Yahtzee supplies us with an excellent name for a hip indie band, in this case Happy Hour At The Redneck Sex Dungeon.
For starters to me, yes. But there are people who share that opinion. Here's the thing, I finished that game and i enjoyed it (to the point). But I would never call it good. Lets look at it objectively.lacktheknack said:
Story - simple, serviceable story without much complexity or meaning as a whole. It just acted as glue for other elements.
Characters - one-dimensional. They have their little quirk or feature that they play at, that's it. No development or arcs. Just chess pieces for main character to play with and get upgrades from.
Mechanics - it is a game built around gimmicks. Superpowers, odd weapons, strange vehicles - all are fun for 10-20 minutes, as a joke, for a laugh. But then it gets old very quickly and you start looking for a best hings to deal with any particular situation. You use superpowers to move around, or kill enemies efficiently, or use the best weapons. They even built all the challenges around those gimmicks to force players to use them more often. That's not very smart design. Gimmicks wear off very quickly.
Minigames - minigames that for some reason were made to progress the game, never feel fun, or challenging, or in any way plot related. "Complete this or that and you will destabilize the simulation" - sounds like a silly excuse than an actual plot point. Besides, you can do all the jumping, shooting and exploding outside those minigames. They seem out of place.
Series - SR4 made the established world obsolete. Sprinting is faster than driving, powers and moves are better than any weapon, gang members are simple unnecessary, most upgrades (character and weapons) are useless. It's like they were not even making Saint Row game, but a parody or an expansion at best.
Game doenst offer many interesting concepts to play with, or interesting characters, or amazing story. It's just silly, mindless, pew-pew fun. There's nothing bad with that, but that alone cannot make a game good.
I liked how SR4 was all over the place. It created a delightful variance of pacing.
The writing was pretty good. I liked hearing homies interact, too.
It doesn't hurt that there's 2 of my favorite wrestlers in the game.
The referrences in general really hit home with me, though 'm old enouigh to catch most of'em. Especially an infamous fight scene towards the end.
The Sound Track had many many many songs that were perfect for the use of super powers. The Touch, and Song 2 easily. Plus FINALLY having the ability to listen to the radio while on foot? Massive bonus.
The weapon selection was surprisingly big. A glowing blue penetrator? Awesome!
I really appreciated that they referrenced SR 1, 2, and 3. I never played 1.
4 is definitely one of the best entries, 2 being up there.
The game's pretty dern nice, really. My only complaint is the same complaint I have for a lot of sandboxes. Story's over!... what now?
And now that the saints are over, more or less, 'm kinda sad. 'll miss flying Purple, black, and Gold. I was never a huge fan of purple, black and silver.
The writing was pretty good. I liked hearing homies interact, too.
It doesn't hurt that there's 2 of my favorite wrestlers in the game.
The referrences in general really hit home with me, though 'm old enouigh to catch most of'em. Especially an infamous fight scene towards the end.
The Sound Track had many many many songs that were perfect for the use of super powers. The Touch, and Song 2 easily. Plus FINALLY having the ability to listen to the radio while on foot? Massive bonus.
The weapon selection was surprisingly big. A glowing blue penetrator? Awesome!
I really appreciated that they referrenced SR 1, 2, and 3. I never played 1.
4 is definitely one of the best entries, 2 being up there.
The game's pretty dern nice, really. My only complaint is the same complaint I have for a lot of sandboxes. Story's over!... what now?
And now that the saints are over, more or less, 'm kinda sad. 'll miss flying Purple, black, and Gold. I was never a huge fan of purple, black and silver.