News

Saints Row 2 DLC Coming in April

For Some Reason

by Veggie Jackson

Mar 31, 2009 11:15 AM

With a focus on over-the-top fun and destructive mayhem, Saints Row 2 carved itself a nice little niche in this generation’s game library. It’s like GTA if GTA didn’t take itself so seriously, and was developed by a group of severely disturbed mental patients with online degrees in game programming. It sold relatively well (about 2 million copies across all platforms), and was even well received by critics, earning a Metacritic average of 81. For all its success, however, THQ’s gangland title was little more than a blip on the radar, and was quickly forgotten by most gamers. That’s why it’s so strange to hear that next month will mark the launch of a new DLC pack for Saints Row 2, entitled Ultor Exposed. Check out the decidedly NSFW trailer:

As of April 16, 80 Microsoft Points ($10) will get you the new DLC pack, which includes three new missions, four new multiplayer maps, a co-op “metagame,” new weapons and vehicles, and a new homie to watch your back; adult film star, Tera Patrick. According to an IGN interview with James Torbit, DLC Producer on Saints Row 2, the missions will take about 2 hours to complete, and revolve around Ms. Patrick, a former microbiologist (really?) for evil uber-corporation, Ultor, and her quest to expose the company’s evil deeds. The porn legend was credited as a special advisor on Saints Row 2, and provides her own voice for the DLC.

The new vehicles, like the EDF Scout (previously seen in Red Faction: Guerrilla) and the Vulture helicopter, will largely have a combat focus, though Tera brings her own super-high performance sports car to the proceedings as well. As for the co-op/competitive “metagame,” Torbit explains, “During the metagame, players will receive points for getting kills and causing mayhem during missions. Killing your co-op partner will result in a penalty, so it's all about getting the job at hand done as destructively as possible. Points are shown on screen as they're earned so you'll always know the score.”

As much fun as SR2 was, I have trouble believing that a large segment of gamers will have any interest in dusting off their copy and plopping down $10 for 2 more hours of gameplay and the ability to have a porn star ride shotgun.

The weirdest part – this is the first of two planned DLC packs for the game. Way to strike while the iron's been traded in to GameStop.