Saints Row then.....

[Tom_B]

Was settling in to play this today. But after it crashed twice on the character creation screen, my 360 won't even boot up - I've got the three red lights of death.

Saints Row killed my console dammit!

[hoot]

What a way to go :'(

[Boozy The Clown]

I just went into Game to see if they would sell this a day early. I got told they couldn't because the area manager was in. So I pulled out my muthafuckin' nine and I smoked his ass. Knaw' mean. F'real. Punk ass bitches n' shit.

[Monkichi 3.0]

Anyone playing this have a problem that the aspect ratio is a little screwed? It's not by much, but it definitely isn't right.

edit: apaprently it's a bug and will be fixed via an update. Astounding - a game ships with a screwed aspect ratio and no one noticed!

No matter how man times I hear people say stuff like this, it never gets less baffling. Do you really think things like this go by unnoticed? Do you think it goes straight from the programmer's hard drive straight to the replication factories without nobody actually booting it up and running hundreds of checks through every aspect of it, through its development cycle? Things get spotted, then they're patche via Live. Update=Patch.

Anyway, after intially hating the demo, I gave it another go and really enjoyed it.

[SteveH]

No matter how man times I hear people say stuff like this, it never gets less baffling. Do you really think things like this go by unnoticed? Do you think it goes straight from the programmer's hard drive straight to the replication factories without nobody actually booting it up and running hundreds of checks through every aspect of it, through its development cycle? Things get spotted, then they're patche via Live. Update=Patch.

Anyway, after intially hating the demo, I gave it another go and really enjoyed it.

No of course not - I have a couple of friends who are testers and I know how it works. But it seems this is the result of a last minute fix of something that Microsoft wanted implemented. Now, you'd assume they would then start the game, see the aspect ratio is fucked, and implement this simple fix while testing whatever it was that was added, worked properly. Makes sense to me. Escpecially considering the two things are suppsoedly linked.

[JohnC]

No matter how man times I hear people say stuff like this, it never gets less baffling. Do you really think things like this go by unnoticed? Do you think it goes straight from the programmer's hard drive straight to the replication factories without nobody actually booting it up and running hundreds of checks through every aspect of it, through its development cycle? Things get spotted, then they're patche via Live. Update=Patch.

And it's a well known fact that every 360 owner is connected to Live.

[Links]

No matter how man times I hear people say stuff like this, it never gets less baffling. Do you really think things like this go by unnoticed? Do you think it goes straight from the programmer's hard drive straight to the replication factories without nobody actually booting it up and running hundreds of checks through every aspect of it, through its development cycle? Things get spotted, then they're patche via Live. Update=Patch.

That makes it alright then.

[Boyatsea]

Anyone playing this have a problem that the aspect ratio is a little screwed? It's not by much, but it definitely isn't right.

Hadn't noticed, to be honest. Been very impressed with the visuals to be honest, despite the fact that most games like this give me a physical headache. Saints Row hasn't let me down on that front, either.

What I've been most impressed with though is watching chains of events. Should someone nearly get run over by a NPC car, they'll often blaze into a fight. Police will often turn up shouting "we have orders to bring you in", before beating a member of public to death. Ambluances also come along of their own free will to 'revive' the fallen. When you watch it all in action, it is impressive.

[therev]

Been playing it for a couple of hours now.

Yes, its attempts to be cool and urban are teeth-grindingly awful.

And its attempts to be funny are buttock-clenchingly horrible.

It's a GTA clone with none of the wit, imagination or intelligence of Rockstar's masterpiece in terms of script or world.

But at its core, on a base game level - physics, controls, interface, mission design - it takes the GTA formula and - whisper it - makes a number of brilliant improvements, which all goes to make it huge amounts of fun.

Yes, fun.

It's just massive, massive FUN.

And, before we forget, incredibly awful.

I can forgive the rubbish wrapping paper, because the present inside is so great. But I understand why people can't.

[TheSlugFormerlyKnownAsNap]

I'm going to get this.

I don't think I can wait another year for a proper GTA game and the "{previous episode} Stories" just isn't enough.

[pretentious_helvetica]

I still get a little worried that new games can kill my 360. I'm very hesitant about Dead Rising in this respect too, but what a way for my console to die.

[Dimahoo]

Maybe that'll bring it back to life

[Boyatsea]

Been playing it for a couple of hours now.

Yes, its attempts to be cool and urban are teeth-grindingly awful.

And its attempts to be funny are buttock-clenchingly horrible.

It's a GTA clone with none of the wit, imagination or intelligence of Rockstar's masterpiece in terms of script or world.

But at its core, on a base game level - physics, controls, interface, mission design - it takes the GTA formula and - whisper it - makes a number of brilliant improvements, which all goes to make it huge amounts of fun.

Yes, fun.

It's just massive, massive FUN.

And, before we forget, incredibly awful.

I can forgive the rubbish wrapping paper, because the present inside is so great. But I understand why people can't.

Completely, completely agree with this man. You've just summarised my review, in fact. Heh.

[Blue Screen Error]

Patch:

With Saints Row finally on the streets and in the hands of gamers, if you've been experiencing issues with the game running in widescreen on your TV or frustrated with the multiplayer performance (both of which we haven't heard too much about, but still), developer Volition revealed on the official message boards they're already working on a patch to fix the first aspect and polish up the second.

There's no release date for the patch yet, but scope out what's on the agenda so far:

# Improvements to the way the game handles packet loss and bandwidth management between players. This will address the issues commonly cited as "lag", and general synchronization problems between the players' clients (vehicles/players warping around, etc).

# The system for rating a player's quality-of-service has been improved, and made less conservative. This means you'll see many more matches with 10-12 player limits.

# Fix for the "clothes stealing" exploit in multiplayer

# Fix for widescreen formatting issues in certain resolutions

# Changes to Matchmaking phase, to get players in the game faster

Volition also promises to investigate any further claims of technical problems as players work through the game, and it's entirely possible the current patch could encompass more before released.

http://1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3153345

[GwiDan]

How did the game pass certification if the aspect ratio is wrong?

[Boyatsea]

I have to say, I don't know what people are talking about. My aspect ratio is fine.

Mind you, I'm playing in Hi-Def, so that probably makes a difference.

[sandman]

can you save mid-mission, is there any type of mid-mission checkpoint system or do you have to restart a mission if you die?

This is always the thing that stopped me from getting the most from GTA

[Windowlicker]

can you save mid-mission, is there any type of mid-mission checkpoint system or do you have to restart a mission if you die?

This is always the thing that stopped me from getting the most from GTA

On storyline missions you are offered the option of restarting the mission, unlike GTA, you start it in the same state as the previous attempt.

When you die or are arrested you are fined a small percentage of your cash but you seem to keep your weapons, so that pain has been removed.

I would suggest that Volition have listened to the GTA gripes more than Rockstar have.

With regards to the widescreen issue, I am playing in SD and it does go into 4:3 and there is an interlacing effect on windscreens and hair fringes. Not a game breaker but it did surprise me, given that the demo did not do this. The patch would need to come sharpish though.

[sandman]

On storyline missions you are offered the option of restarting the mission, unlike GTA, you start it in the same state as the previous attempt.

When you die or are arrested you are fined a small percentage of your cash but you seem to keep your weapons, so that pain has been removed.

I would suggest that Volition have listened to the GTA gripes more than Rockstar have.

With regards to the widescreen issue, I am playing in SD and it does go into 4:3 and there is an interlacing effect on windscreens and hair fringes. Not a game breaker but it did surprise me, given that the demo did not do this. The patch would need to come sharpish though.

What does "same state" mean? I just want to avoid having to trawl through the same mission start 30 times just to get to the bit I can't do.

[Windowlicker]

What does "same state" mean? I just want to avoid having to trawl through the same mission start 30 times just to get to the bit I can't do.

TBH, it is unlikely that you will get that stuck but when you restart the mission you keep the weapon sets that you started it with previously.

[Mercury]

I have to say, I don't know what people are talking about. My aspect ratio is fine.

Mind you, I'm playing in Hi-Def, so that probably makes a difference.

It says on certain resolutions so I guess it is a limited problem.

[Trokie]

Really enjoyed this last night. Single player is fun and works well, I liked the way on the drug escort missions, the Dealer drives the van and you can concentrate on shooting. Had a good bit where I was getting chased by some hoods in a low-rider car. I leaned out the side of the van and shot the driver in the head. The car veers accross the road and hits an oncoming car and explodes. We just tootle off on our merry way whilst using the rear view look to see the carnage we have caused. Good fun.

The multiplayer is pretty ropey. I played for an hour last night and only really got one lag free game, which was team gold chains. That was quite fun. Nearly all American people on last night (understandable as the release is today in the UK), lots of stupid smack talk 'bitch this and ho that'. Just had to laugh really, you knew it was coming. If it is less laggy tonight with UK players that will be a result, also it does take a long time to start a match as it automatically searches for players to join the game. People cant be assed to wait so they drop out and it starts searching again.....

[Sprite Machine]

How does the multiplayer work, then? Is the whole city open to play in?

[Trokie]

Sprite Machine

Nah, it aint the whole city, it is just a map. In Gangsta Brawl, it is like a moto cross stadium (bizarre I know), don't know if there are more maps for that mode though. In gangsta chains you have 3 or 4 buildings (of about 3 floors high) connected by walk ways, fire escapes etc etc. The point where you have to drop the chains you have collected moves every couple of minutes or so. It works quite well as you get loads of people camping around the drop off point, if it is a team game then you really need to go in there as a team and hit them hard. This was the only map I saw on this mode, again there may be others, I did not see them though?

I tried the pimp my ride map, but it was so laggy it was unplayable....

The protect the pimp mission is set in a hotel that you have to escape from, only played this once as with the modes above....

[Eighthours]

Sprite Machine

Nah, it aint the whole city, it is just a map. In Gangsta Brawl, it is like a moto cross stadium (bizarre I know), don't know if there are more maps for that mode though. In gangsta chains you have 3 or 4 buildings (of about 3 floors high) connected by walk ways, fire escapes etc etc. The point where you have to drop the chains you have collected moves every couple of minutes or so. It works quite well as you get loads of people camping around the drop off point, if it is a team game then you really need to go in there as a team and hit them hard. This was the only map I saw on this mode, again there may be others, I did not see them though?

I tried the pimp my ride map, but it was so laggy it was unplayable....

The protect the pimp mission is set in a hotel that you have to escape from, only played this once as with the modes above....

It's the Pimp My Ride mode that actually has an area of the city you drive around, right?

[Trokie]

Yeah, I think so as I said I tried it but it lagged out rotten. I did hop into one of those little police cart things and there was a little bit of map to trundle about in. I dont think the area is that massive though. I think you are quite confined to a certain area as you need to kill other gang members to earn the cash to Pimp your ride, if they was miles apart you would never see each other.... ?

What I remember of it last night was a storm drain area, think Terminator 2 or Grease (sad). then some fenced buildings and roads and you sort have got what it is like....

[Bean Weevil Man]

Played it last night. Rather enjoyed it, although as people have said it does lack the polish and humour of GTA.

Car handling is fairly good, although the handbrake is disappointing – you need a really fast car to get anything more than a 90 degree turn. The cars I've tried just don't seem as 'chuckable' as those on GTA but old habits are hard to break and I'm sure they'll become second nature eventually.

One thing that did alarm me was the incredible amount of screen tearing (the worst I have EVER seen) and slowdown – I crashed a bulldozer into a wall and the game slowed down to about 2fps.

Once you get used to it though the game is very pretty and I'm looking forward to doing a few more missions. Can't help playing through it and spotting all the blatant steals from GTA though...

[Beertiger]

So now a lot more people have played it can you chain explosions like GTA? Do game objects hang around longer than they did in the demo?

[Monkichi 3.0]

And it's a well known fact that every 360 owner is connected to Live.

"Updates" are supposed to be limited to online problems, so if there's an issue with online performance they may pass certification and be told to fix it later with an update. Single player games and those with no real Live component have a much harder time trying to pass through issues which affect the single player game.

That makes it alright then.

Who said that? I said that the issue would have been noticed and the title released with this as a known issue. That's shit as far as I'm concerned.

How did the game pass certification if the aspect ratio is wrong?

[Allegedly]They probably negotiated. They probably cited previous examples of other titles passing with this problem (PGR3 for one). In order to get games out for the 360 launch a lot of TCRs were waived so that publishers could reach the release day deadline. In theory it should have been a one off, but companies are now using this as a way to weasle through TCR violations.[/Allegedly]

[therev]

So now a lot more people have played it can you chain explosions like GTA? Do game objects hang around longer than they did in the demo?

I think I've seen an exploding car cause another to explode, but I'm not sure about that.

Game objects do seem to hang around a little longer, maybe - I've not had stuff disappear in front of my eyes - but the code for choosing when things disappear is a bit rubbish at times.

I derailed a train and two carriages fell onto a bit of road causing a road block, but with enough space between them to run from one side of the blockage to the other. Was having great fun annoying the police for five minutes or so when, while I was standing with my back to the carriages they disappeared. I was about three feet away when it happened. Cars and corpses had been disappearing along the way, too, while my back was turned.

And I killed a guy with my car and his friend started shooting at me. By the time I'd killed him - a minute or so - the first guy's corpse and weapon had vanished, even though I'd never been more than a few yards away.

It's certainly far from the promises of the developer, but it's no worse than GTA, I don't think.