Developer: Volition Inc.
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Shooter
Rating:Mature (17+)
Number of Players: 1 (Online 1-8)
Online Capable: Xbox Live
Gallery: Can be found here

Saints Row is claimed to be the GTA killer, and the future of Massive Singleplayer Action Games (MSAG). Since there has been a lot of hype behind it, everyone wanted to know how it is doing so far. Being able to pick up a nearly completed copy to check out some of the action gave me a chance to bring to the gaming and Xbox community what I saw. Luckily for everyone there will be a demo released within the next week on Xbox Live Marketplace, so be sure to download it and check it out.

Saints Row begins with you choosing the look for your character. The game allows to you choose between many ethnicities and custom tailor ANY aspect of your character. Want your character to have a large brow, or want him to be severely overweight? Just move the sliders to your chosen position and watch your character miraculously change in front of your eyes, like magic! I’d have to say that the only negative to this feature is the lack of being able to create a female character. Moving on.

After selecting my character, a large caucasian with green liberty spikes and a huge bridge on his nose, I was treated to an opening cut scene. As he walked down the block bypassing hustlers trying to sell him cheap watches, a gang battle ensued. Let's just say that not all ends well for the dueling thugs as they all bite it at one point. After being thrown to the ground after a spectacular firefight and cataclysmic explosion, you are picked up by Troy, leader of the Saints. Then, the action picks up.

The first thing you realize in this scene is the pure beauty of the environment. The explosion radiates a heat wave through the brilliant orange and yellow flames. The air is dry and it's reasonably bright given the street lights and store fronts with the lights giving soft and hard glows through the air. Graffiti corrupts the walls around you but you don’t care, you're too tough to let your new home bother you in any way. You know you arrived in Hell, and there is no turning back.