Having said all that, it seems like the vast majority of people really do want what Third gives them - a place to blow stuff up. For all its faults (how much would I give to have SR3's helicopter controls in SR2? LOTS.) SR2 just hangs better for because I can get invested in the story. Heck, there isn't even anything in there as good as the cutscenes in SR1*, like when the Saints try to take out Los Carnales' enforcer Victor. Was there anything as good as the Boss' fight with Maero at the warehouse? The Boss' fight with Akuji on the junk? I can't recall anything. People complain about the lack of rewatchable cutscenes, and rightfully so, but I honestly can't remember a cutscene I'd want to rewatch save maybe the Luchadores' attack on the bridge.

The lack of the first two games' structure, though, that just kills it from being a perfect game. The VR fight with Matt, skydiving onto the roof, there is a lot to like in Saints Row The Third - I've replayed it twice and will probably do so again. The whole bit with STAG? I loved it, particularly the 'nice' ending. The Luchadores' attack on Johnny's funeral? Great. How the Syndicate tries to muscle in on the Saints' turf? Good. I like a lot about Third - the gameplay, most of the NPCs (really, all of them save Angel, who comes off as pointless and possibly an excuse just for the devs to meet Hulk Hogan - though he didn't do a terrible job or anything) and bits of the story.

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