Saints Row -- Initial Impression.

The first thing that instantly comes to mind when initially playing Saints Row is in how close it is to the Grand Theft Auto 3 formula. It's going to be impossible not to compare them. Both titles are sandbox style games dealing with crime and gangs within a modern urban area. Both titles are jam-packed with extra things to do beyond the story missions and free roaming gameplay. Both titles are sending up modern culture with their satirical voice. Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 3 obviously came first. Volition's Saints Row is making the case that GTA3 didn't do everything as well as it could have as far as mechanics and gameplay are concerned. It's way too early for me to have a solid feel either way as to whether Volition is on the right track or not in the changes they've made to the GTA3 mechanics. Volition's other big selling point was the first to take the GTA3 formula online. That's all very well and good except for the fact that it doesn't work for me, and a few others. A certain amount of users are unable to have anyone connect to their games or join any other games. They can't create gangs or invite anyone to them. Volition at least seems aware of it at this point. No word on if there are enough users being screwed by this hang-up to warrant a patch via Xbox Live. Hopefully they'll get this fixed as the engine seems decent enough to offer at least some mindless fun online. And there are more than a few achievements available only for those who can get online. I don't want to be screwed out of those as well as not actually being able to play online. As it stands now, the game gives the impression of a Grand Theft Auto 3 clone. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Did they change enough to make this one worth playing? Are they offering up anything new? We'll have to wait and play through the game to see what the answers are...