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The comparisons between Saints Row 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV are numerous, at least in the press, but Volition has crafted a game that stands apart from the GTA games in several ways, at least in the ten hours I've spent with it so far. First off, the time has flown by and I've spent most of it doing side missions and just running around, trying things out.

The game definitely plays to its M rating but unlike the most recent GTA this game doesn't take itself seriously. On the contrary, it goes so far off the deep end in being raunchy, silly, and violent that you can't help but laugh at all of it, and occasionally be a bit surprised at how raw the in-car or on-radio dialogue can get.

It's not all wine and roses, though. The rough edges of the physics engine magnifies the element of chance in sandbox games. I spent over an hour and a half playing the Escort side missions in one neighborhood alone last night trying to get past the 4th and 5th levels. When I finally did pass the 5th level it was with flying colors -- I'd simply gotten lucky taking turns that stymied the camera men pursuing the VIP who was busy with his companion in the back seat of my car. The randomness of some things gives the game a bit more challenge than you'd expect at times, but I can live with it.

There are many aspects of this game that make things more fun than a standard sandbox game. This includes a garage that's available at all hideouts as a glowing spot on the ground. Just drive up onto the glowing outline, hop out, confirm storage of the vehicle with a button push, and the car vanishes into the spot to become available at any other crib in the future, in the same condition you drop it off.

The mini-games like Escort, Mayhem, and FUZZ give a reward on the 3rd and 6th level as you complete them, and each neighborhood might have different rewards for a mini-game. These can range from 5% or 10% discounts at certain vendors up to new abilities or items being delivered to your crib armory -- also available at any crib in the city. By far the most useful thing I've earned is the ability to use the cell phone and get a car from my garage delivered. At level 3 of an Escort mission it cost me $1000, but completing it at level 6 got me that car delivered for free.

To test this out, I immediately dialed up a ride, looked around, saw someone speed into view, take out a lamppost, and stop on a dime beside me. The driver, dressed in Saints purple gang colors, hopped out so fast it looked like he was on springs. My car had arrived just a few seconds after making the call.

It's colorful, it's fast-moving, it's raw, it's raunchy, but it's also a lot of fun and makes me wonder how great Saints Row 3 will be when it comes out in 2010 or beyond.