We're no angels

It may seem like an act of madness to release a gangster adventure beneath the looming shadow of Grand Theft Auto IV, but Saints Row 2 developer Volition, is unperturbed. Cleverly, it's not looking to compete with GTA on its own terms - this isn't a dark parable about immigration and identity in the big city, it's the story of really naughty criminals behaving really badly. Think of it as The Godfather re-written by the Farrelly Brothers.

The action picks up after the dramatic ending of the original Saints Row, in which your character appears to perish aboard an exploding yacht. It's now five years on, and you awake from a coma in a prison hospital, your gang - the 3rd Street Saints - in tatters, and the mean streets of Stilwater controlled by three new outfits: Sons Of Samedi, The Brotherhood and Ronin. This won't do.

Enter the sand box

After a quick escape sequence, you're back on the outside, looking to build a fresh crew and commit some major crimes in the process. Stilwater is 50% bigger now, with much more scenic detail, taking in everything from graveyards and trailer parks to a university and nuclear power plant. Unfortunately, the technical issues you may remember from the first Saints Row are back, with lots of visual glitches, terrifying scenic pop-up and a framerate so doddery it should be collecting a pension. But, weirdly, these elements only add to the whole, cult B-movie feel.

Quality is not important here. In this free-roaming urban landscape it's all about the gangsta adventure basics - pacing the streets, carrying out missions, driving cars and firing really big guns. Hand-to-hand combat is also solidly implemented, complete with wrestling-style taunts and finishing moves - you can even grab people and use them as human shields if some perp pulls a pistol on you.

Saints Row 2 is violent, but it doesn't take things too seriously. In fact, the key selling point is fun. Sure, there's a dark revenge plot in there somewhere, but you don't have to get immersed in the story. Instead you can just shoot things, fly planes and do wheelies on motorbikes. Going through the missions is more like starring in Jackass than Boyz N The Hood.

Live the dream

To prove the point, Volition has bumped up the number of activities available in the game. You can now discover and attempt a range of side-challenges including driving a sewage truck, starring in a cop show or taking out enemies from a helicopter. All of this earns respect on 'da street' which in turn unlocks new missions.

In the background, customisation is a big theme. You can completely change the look and gender of the lead character, then tweak your gang's tattoos and clothing style. Keen interior designers can also do a Changing Rooms makeover on the cribs where the guys all hang out. It's The Sims with sub-machine guns.

Co-op 'til ya drop

To complete the offering, Saints Row 2 brandishes a range of multiplayer options including an ingenious drop-in/drop-out co-op mode. This lets you pop into a mate's online game, no matter how much further into the missions he is, then flop out again when you're riddled with more holes than a kilo of Emmental. It's a great concept, quickly facilitating co-operative, social play, and could well be the most enjoyable way of experiencing this bizarre world of violence and idiotic stunts.

So yes, it would be an act of madness to release a gangster adventure beneath the looming shadow of Grand Theft Auto IV. But Saints Row 2 is clearly several bullets short of a full clip. And what's more, it's going to take quite a few of us down with it.

GAME's Verdict

• Fantastic selection of activities and great missions.
• Hilarious co-op potential.
• Massively entertaining OTT approach to the gangsta genre.

• Lots of technical issues.
• The 'story' is a little thinly conceived.
• The humour may grate if you're not prepared to check your brain in as the game loads.

Review by: Keith 'Consigliere' Stuart
Version Tested: Xbox360
Review Published: 15.10.08