Combat is integral to games likeSaints Row, in which the player will need to attack or defend themselves. With the firstSaints Rowhaving a minor combat system in place for melee, it was only natural that the sequel became bigger and better.Saints Row 2bolsters an impressive combat system,expanded with new animations, combos, and fighting styles.
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Saints Row 2houses four unarmed fighting styles. One is unlocked by default, whereas the others require players to complete the sixth mission in each gang’s arc. What makes each fighting style unique is the ability to commit to different moves in both attack, defense, and technique.Players will find themselves using unique finishing moves, as well as different animated combos based on the style of their choice.
4Brawling
The Brawling style is the default fighting style available to the player inSaints Row 2. Although it’s the default fighting style, it still features a fun grouping of punches and kicks. There are 4 individual moves to the Brawling style, and each has its unique look. It’s fun to see even the most default style having a lot of personality to the combat rather than just a boring and basic punch or kick. The combat style of Brawling doesn’t exactly offer an abundance of extra damage, as most, if not all, combat styles have the same damage against opponents. After all, there’s only so much a fist or a kick can do to someone.
The Brawling style has the Superman Punch: a sucker punch in which the player holds the victim’s head forward, and then jumps up to punch them in the face. There’s also the kick to the groin, which needs no introduction. The Knee to the Face is also a combat move that explains itself. As for the Backhand Slap, the player will comically “pimp slap” their victim, by swinging the back of their hand into the victim’s face with a flick of their hand at the end for added flair.
3Professional Wrestling
To unlock the Professional Wrestling style, players need to progress throughthe quest of The Brotherhood. The Brotherhood is Stilwater natives, victimized by gang warfare and police corruption. The Brotherhood takes what they want by force, and uses their large numbers and attacks to kill anyone in their way. This is a great style to use for those seeking that extra flair and a love for wrestling.
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Players can expect and enjoy a plethora of moves as if they were in WWE fighting against the likes of The Undertakeror John Cena. The moves are very campy and fun in line with professional wrestling. With moves like Lifting Side Slam, in which the player throws the victim’s face into the ground. Or the Side Slam Backbreaker. Three Headbutts in the face feature three headbutts in the face of the victim, and the Death Valley Driver is a Fireman’s Carry that ends with the victim on the ground.
2Capoeira
After completing the sixth mission in the Sons of Samedi quest, players can access the Capoeira fighting style. The Sons of Samedi are a drug cartel who have cornered the Caribbean Drug Underworld and found a new place to conquer in Stilwater. The gang itself consists of Stilwater University dropouts and defected Haitian guerrilla groups. Even as students, the Sons of Samedi should be feared due to their large-scale attacks, and capoeira combat style.
Featuring 4 unique animations, the Capoeira fighting style features a lot of acrobatic flips. There’s the Hurricanrana, Sweep Reverse Hurricanrana, Spinning Handstand, and Mounted Punches. Each move is fun to watch, and fun to pull off. Especially the Mounted Punches, in which the player jumps onto their victim and punches them before they fall to the floor. There are some fun animations present in this fighting style, andhopefully, theSaints Row Rebootbrings back fighting styles like this.
1Tae Kwon Do
Players will be able to embrace The Ronin after completing their sixth mission, and then become Tae Kwon Do masters. The Ronin have traits from Japanese biker gangs, which hold deep traditions and respectable honor. It’s a unique outlook to see The Saints become honor-bound, considering their preferred method of violence. However, The Ronin demand respect in Stilwater, as they immediately made a name for themselves in a new environment thanks to their ruthless violence. What makes the Tae Kwon Do style the best, isn’t just that Ronins are a cool real-world influence, but the style incorporates katanas and a karate-combat style in melee fighting.
With the One Middle Kick Spinning Jump-Kick, players will kick the victim in the low torso, and finish off with a roundhouse kick. The Two Middle Punches Spinning Jump-Kick allows players to provide two punches to the torso, and then a roundhouse kick to finish them. Two Middle Kicks and a Body Slam is the third combo, and the fourth, Two High Spinning Kicks to the Head. There’s a lot of style and finesse in this fighting technique, making it the best.
Saints Row 2is available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.
