It's also worth 10 achievement points

November 5, 2009 7:39 AM

In Saint's Row 2 (a GTA-ish game for the PC and current-gen consoles), your character sings along whenever a-ha's song "Take on Me" plays on the radio. Here's all six player voices edited together to sing along at the same time. [SLYT]

Come on, admit it, you do the same thing when nobody's watching.

posted by CrunchyFrog (56 comments total)

This instantly put me in a good mood. Now I want to play the game, and I've never heard of it before.
posted by piratebowling at 7:45 AM on November 5 [1 favorite has favorites]

Wait, we're only supposed to sing when no one's watching?
posted by dnesan at 7:45 AM on November 5

Sounds like a few drunk friends singing karaoke.
posted by brain_drain at 7:46 AM on November 5

I think it would have been interesting to hear a few at a time, or hear them each sing a segment. As it is, it feels like you're stuck in a van full of slightly drunk friends who decide to sing along to the radio as if no one else was there with them.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:47 AM on November 5

Oh man. This is great. This day of voiceover recording must have been fun.
posted by roll truck roll at 7:49 AM on November 5

What, no one going "piiiipe wreeeench fight"?
posted by PontifexPrimus at 7:51 AM on November 5 [11 favorites has favorites]

piratebowling: "This instantly put me in a good mood. Now I want to play the game, and I've never heard of it before."

It's a cult favorite. From everything I've heard (it's sitting on my 'to play' shelf) it's like Grand Theft Auto 4 only fun and colorful instead of drab and dreary.
posted by graventy at 7:56 AM on November 5 [1 favorite has favorites]

Judging from the 'related videos', the characters sing along with a lot of the radio songs, which is pretty awesome.
posted by graventy at 7:58 AM on November 5

No better time than the present to mention Buggy Saint's Row (QT): The Musical (YT).
posted by lumensimus at 8:00 AM on November 5 [1 favorite has favorites]

Yeah. "My character" is the one singing along when a-ha comes on.
posted by DU at 8:00 AM on November 5 [1 favorite has favorites]

That song makes everything funnier.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 8:01 AM on November 5 [3 favorites has favorites]

Final Countdown too
posted by DU at 8:02 AM on November 5 [2 favorites has favorites]

it's like Grand Theft Auto 4 only fun and colorful instead of drab and dreary.

...and just like that, I'm off to see if the store has a used copy.
posted by piratebowling at 8:05 AM on November 5 [1 favorite has favorites]

Thanks for posting this. Saint's Row 2 is one of my favorite games ever... so much depth and so much fun. I just wish that you could leave Stillwater and go to other cities.
posted by MegoSteve at 8:13 AM on November 5

I just finished the 'plot' in SR2, it's perfect for post-bad-day decompression: lots of variety to be interesting but not hair-pullingly frustrating. I picked it up basically because Yahtzee liked it for what that's worth.
posted by Skorgu at 8:26 AM on November 5

Seconding the awesomeness that is Saint's Row 2. GTA4 was a magnificent technical and artistic achievement, but they really sucked a lot of wacky fun out of the series for the sake of a more realistic story.

Saint's Row 2 is a GTA clone, make no mistake, but I had much more fun playing it than I did with GTA4. Wacky side missions, singing along to the radio, celebrity voices... man, the storyline involving Michael Dorn's character is off the hook. I'd reveal specifics, but it's really too crazy go nuts to spoil.

As I said, it's not as technically advanced as GTA, but there are some moments that make Stillwater feel just as alive as Liberty City. I remember walking along a boardwalk, and seeing a guy sitting on a park bench with his girlfriend sitting on his lap. I was a little surprised to see sure interaction between NPCs, usually they just kind of walk around and don't really interact except to say how they saw a mud crab today (Oblivion shout out!). Just as I was marvelling at this, the guy said to his girl "But seriously, we can't have any more kids until one of them dies."
posted by yellowbinder at 8:26 AM on November 5 [13 favorites has favorites]

Saint's Row 2 is what GTA4 should have been. For a hilarious introduction to it, I recommend watching Zero Punctuation's review of it here.
posted by cloax at 8:30 AM on November 5 [1 favorite has favorites]

In context, it's an amazing thing. Driving around in a bright yellow convertible lamborghini with spinners, and the song comes on the radio. Your character starts to sing along. You slow down, and start to take a more leisurely drive through the city. Stop at a stoplight and the pedestrians give you a thumbs up.

Completely unexpected, but thorougly awesome. if you haven't played Saints Row 2 you're missing out.
posted by Lord_Pall at 8:34 AM on November 5

Wow. I mean, I really liked GTA4 and all--and the latest DLC brought back a lot of the wacky stuff from San Andreas (most of which, honestly, I didn't miss)--but yeah, I might just have to give Saint's Row 2 a try, given the response here.
posted by uncleozzy at 8:50 AM on November 5

The contrast between the attitude taken by Saints Row 2 and another game by the same developer, Red Faction: Guerrilla, is striking. In GTA style games the player is free to pritty much do as they please, so such a focus on silliness is totally appropriate. Red Faction takes the wrong approach by casting the main character as a totally sincere freedom fighter, when really you're just a space asshole.

The good news is that I think developers, in general, get that you have to match the games attitude with what you actually do (yes, even the developers of GTA4, though they went in a really weird direction with it that I still love). Braid, Borderlands, Left 4 Dead and Far Cry 2 are all games that do really cool things with mood and what you are doing in them.
posted by The Devil Tesla at 8:51 AM on November 5 [2 favorites has favorites]

For twice the fun try playing the storyline in coop mode with a friend. Good times.
posted by ST!NG at 8:57 AM on November 5

I work one office away from the guy (lead sound designer on SR2) whose brilliant idea this was. Or so I thought -- until I realized it wasn't the version Frank circulated around the studio last year, but a fan's independent take. That gives me such a thrill.
posted by jake at 9:05 AM on November 5 [2 favorites has favorites]

I have nothing but anecdotal evidence to back me up, but I am convinced that "Take On Me" is one of the three most covered songs from the 80s. I'm also convinced that the other two are "Tainted Love" and "Come on Eileen."
posted by Caduceus at 9:13 AM on November 5

Saint's Row 2 is what GTA4 should have been.

Yes. Yes. Any game that lets me walk around the city in a lime-green Borat swimsuit and zebra-print pimp hat while tossing random pedestrians full-force into garbage cans and occasionally running across NPC barbershop quartets is head and shoulders above the drab brown "You're not driving a car, but actually a massive boat that happens to have wheels" GTA4.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 9:26 AM on November 5

I actually have never heard a cover of Come on Eileen, Caduceus.
posted by flatluigi at 9:28 AM on November 5

"Tainted Love"

Itself a cover!
posted by Ian A.T. at 9:33 AM on November 5

I actually have never heard a cover of Come on Eileen, Caduceus.

Here ya go. Wow, that takes me back.
posted by threetoed at 9:34 AM on November 5

Saints Row 2: Epic Insurance Fraud.
Marcus Garlick makes music stars in SR2. Lots of them.
THERE SEEMS TO BE A PORBLEM.
This game is huge, stupid fun.
posted by boo_radley at 9:40 AM on November 5

MeFi Music: lol they all off beat
posted by davejay at 9:44 AM on November 5

I was intrigued after Yahtzee gave the game an out-of-character positive review. I'm now compelled to buy it because this may be the best little surprise in a game, ever. I mean, it's having fun and waxing nostalgic over the music.

This is how games should license songs. It shouldn't just be there as ambient noise while you play. That's all well and good, but it just drives up the cost of the game due to licensing fees. Weaving the music into the game like this is so much better.

My only problem: My most recent system is a Wii. My two-year old laptop might play it, though. I'll have to see if there's a demo.
posted by mccarty.tim at 10:04 AM on November 5

mccarty.tim: "My two-year old laptop might play it, though. I'll have to see if there's a demo."

I...doubt it. From what I've heard, it's not a terribly great PC port, and takes some finessing to get it up and running.

OTOH, it's pretty regularly 5 bucks on one of the game services, so that's cool.
posted by graventy at 10:11 AM on November 5

I guess I should link to the ZP review, since I mentioned it.
posted by mccarty.tim at 10:14 AM on November 5

Has anyone played the original for the 360? I started out w/ SR2 and am wondering if going back and playing the original will be either a great idea or a colossal failure. Is it as witty and fun?
posted by cloax at 10:28 AM on November 5

Holy shit. I thought I would hate this. But SHEER AWESOME.
posted by Justinian at 10:39 AM on November 5

This is pretty fucking brilliant. Like brilliant enough to make me want to buy the game even though I found the first one kind of weak.
posted by eyeballkid at 10:46 AM on November 5 [1 favorite has favorites]

piratebowling: "it's like Grand Theft Auto 4 only fun and colorful instead of drab and dreary.

...and just like that, I'm off to see if the store has a used copy."

Totally worth it. I picked up a used copy about three months ago for $15, and have played the hell out of it. I think GTA IV has better graphics, SR2 can look cheesy at times, but the missions are fun, relatively short and when you steal a plane you automatically get a parachute.
posted by Science! at 11:01 AM on November 5

This review originally from Destructoid is what sold me the game.
posted by Science! at 11:13 AM on November 5 [1 favorite has favorites]

Slightly off-topic, does anybody else want to strangle that Zero Punctuation guy? Just. Slow. Down. Man.
posted by dobie at 11:38 AM on November 5

I've been playing it on PS3. Good game. I enjoy using the crazy British man voice and making a really hot female avatar, which confuses everyone who sees me playing.
posted by NoraReed at 11:52 AM on November 5

Obligatory comment linking to cortex's a capella version on MeFi Music.

Thanks for posting this!
posted by not_on_display at 12:49 PM on November 5

Made my afternoon.
posted by cowbellemoo at 1:02 PM on November 5

I have nothing but anecdotal evidence to back me up, but I am convinced that "Take On Me" is one of the three most covered songs from the 80s. I'm also convinced that the other two are "Tainted Love" and "Come on Eileen."

There has to be more covers of 99 Luftballoons than Come on Eileen...
posted by cowbellemoo at 1:07 PM on November 5

cloax: The original Saints Row is basically a tech demo for Saints Row 2 and was worth the $10 I spent on it for a new copy, but not worth playing after you've played the sequel.

My only real complaint about Saints Row 2 is that it doesn't have the right clothes (and voice, for that matter, but the British guy comes close) to make a true Doctor Mrs. The Monarch.
posted by nmiell at 2:03 PM on November 5

I picked up a used copy about three months ago for $15

Man, I wish I had anywhere to pick up games for that cheap. Damn.
posted by adamdschneider at 2:26 PM on November 5

Man, I wish I had anywhere to pick up games for that cheap. Damn.

If you've got a lot of old games sitting around, check out Goozex, a points-based game swapping site. I signed up a month ago, and I've been drowning in more games than I have time to play ever since. All it cost me was postage to send my old crap out!
posted by yellowbinder at 3:05 PM on November 5

adamdschneider: "I picked up a used copy about three months ago for $15

Man, I wish I had anywhere to pick up games for that cheap. Damn."

Independent used game shop in a college town. Near the end of each semester there are awesome sales on games, movies, and electronics because students realize they wasted their money and still have bills to pay.
posted by Science! at 4:05 PM on November 5

OK, that had me laughing and laughing and laughing. Thanks!
posted by Ron Thanagar at 4:12 PM on November 5

Yeah, Saints Row 2 is an awesome game. I got it and GTA IV at exactly the same time. SR2 is still on my hard drive and I load it up whenever I wanna cruise around in a car or blow stuff up. I might have played GTA IV a handful of times before uninstalling it.
posted by nightchrome at 9:56 PM on November 5

It's a cult favorite. From everything I've heard (it's sitting on my 'to play' shelf) it's like Grand Theft Auto 4 only fun and colorful instead of drab and dreary.

This is absolutely accurate.

GTA:IV was a chore. SR2 is a blast. I really should write up a review for it some day.

And the amount of character customization is awesome: I played as a curvy black lady in a blazing white suit and tophat. With a single white Michael Jackson glove. With no shirt and no bra. You can even run naked (and get rewarded for it)... although the game engine blurs out the interesting bits.
posted by Netzapper at 12:01 AM on November 6

As everyone else already said: Saints Row 2 is what GTA4 pretends to be. It's just much, much, much more fun. GTA4 was a mess.

A definite case of the copycat outperforming the original.
posted by rokusan at 5:08 AM on November 6

As it is, it feels like you're stuck in a van full of slightly drunk friends who decide to sing along to the radio as if no one else was there with them.

Oh, man. I hated that mission.
posted by rokusan at 5:09 AM on November 6

Picked it up yesterday. Thanks for the recommendation.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 7:37 AM on November 6

This is perfect timing as I just started playing this game a few days ago. I've been running around as a guy with the British male voice wearing a dress suit and the mosquito mascot mask. Since the mask has a permanent angry expression, it really fits with the player character's dialogue and makes for a surreal experience. The only downside is that it totally ruins the dramatic impact of some of the game's surprisingly intense cutscenes.
posted by marchismo at 8:24 AM on November 6

This review originally from Destructoid is what sold me the game.

WHY DID NOBODY TELL ME THAT THEY MADE AN OW MY BALLS VIDEO GAME?
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 5:09 PM on November 6

Alright, just back to say that I'm still in character creation and Laughing My Fucking Ass Off.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 9:11 PM on November 6

Well. It is very late. Tears have been literally streaming down my face from laughter. I thought other missions were funny but "Fuzz" had me paralyzed with laughter. I had to pause at a few different points to shake it off.

Bit of context for those who haven't played: you're dressed as a cop, followed by a videographer for the tv show "Fuzz" (Cops) on incredibly inane missions, and he suggests weapons that might generate better footage. So off I go to stop an outbreak of "insurance fraud" and the camera guy is like "You guys use chainsaws, don't you?"

Best moment: running up to these three guys with my chainsaw, and they spontaneously fall down (so I can't saw them). Then they get up. Then they fall down again. I'm like WTF?? Then I get it. Insurance fraud. They're pretending to be injured and/or sick. So, you know, I saw them in half. It's incredibly gory and simultaneously hilarious.

I have to get back to it. I'm in the middle of stopping a "prostitute uprising". With a flamethrower. (I'm chasing a pimp who's on fire, another cop is on fire, I'm on fire, and the videographer is enthusing "I've never seen police work like this before!" and "The ratings!")
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 3:11 AM on November 7 [2 favorites has favorites]