Saints Row: The Third

After being impressed with Saints Row 2 I got myself Saints Row The Third.

Story line: Its mad, funny, random and action packed. Instead of going to someone to do missions they are now all on your phone so you can just call them and it will start the mission this saves a bit of driving about like before. But one thing I was unhappy with is the story line is way to short I believe its much shorter than Saints Row 2 however still enjoyed it.

Good:
Improved graphics and details.
More weapons to use.
Still able to create your character.
Mod any car you want.
Missions unlock lots of cool weapons and cars etc.
Action packed story.
Lots of side missions to do.
Game loads up really quick and hardly no loading screens.

Bad:
Clothes shops don't have as much as the last game.
Short story.
Can't modify your cribs anymore.
Can't change controls.
Flying helicopters is really hard to do.

Overall:

It's a great action packed fun game with loads to do. It has improved in some areas but at the same time has lost track of other stuff. The short story line is what really is stopping me from giving it the full 5/5. I would say if you liked the last game and if this is your first time playing it prepare for some fun.

OK, firstly I should mention that for various reasons I pre-ordered this from a stockist in the Netherlands and it turned up way before the release date, which was exceptionally pleasing and means I've managed to clock about 40 hours of gameplay over the last week between work and being a husband (it helps that my wife was as enthusiastic about it as I was, lucky ain't I?). Anyway, that's the first good thing about this game: there's a lot to do and it takes a long time to get bored. Despite what I promised myself I'm writing this without actually having completed the story missions (something like 5 left to do or something).

This is a good-looking game. Saints Row 2 wasn't bad but I always thought the streets looked a little trim and tidy, this looks dirty and gritty by comparison which in turn gives it a better feel. The characters and vehicles are also more sculptured, a little real-er. One way the look is let down though is the relative shortage of variety in the clothing available when compared to SR2. I know it's a small point and I'm being picky but customisation is such a big part of the game that it seems weird to have less variety in this than there was in SR2.

I do have a few concerns about the game: the inclusion of the first of each side activity in the total number of story missions feels like I'm being cheated out of something. The total mission count is about 47 but a bunch of them (10 or so) are things like Trail Blazing and Escort activities. I don't have a problem with those side activities, but including them as essential missions kind of makes it feel like the writers ran out of ideas.

I think that's a symptom of a larger problem in this game: there's a lack of coherence throughout, what should be important parts of the story seem to be skated over so quickly that I frequently found myself having to pause and discuss what the hell was going on, there's one fairly major part of the story which I didn't fully pick up on until much later in the game. Part of the problem may be that a fair few missions aren't proceeded by a cut-scene, they're simply instigated with an in-action phone conversation which gives you directions to the action. This system leads to a feeling of detachment from the other members of your gang and again that lack of a sense of coherence.

Overall the game kind of feels like it's foreplay, entertaining enough but after a while you find yourself wondering when you're going to get to the action. Don't get me wrong, it's fantastic foreplay, but not 5-star worthy.

The game is extremely funny and great to play, just like gta - but better! Thanks for the game and the wonderful service :)