Other areas have also seen similar upgrades: animation is smoother and flows together better than in the previous game, and there's a noticeable increase in the amount of post-processing effects in play, particularly in the more heated cut-scenes, where screen distortion effects and motion blur can be quite prevalent. A closer look at the texturing also reveals quite a bit of subtle detailing in many places: the small cracks that appear on the road and pavements, and the degradations manifesting on the walls of old buildings found throughout Steelport. The change in art direction in this latest instalment in combination with more restrained use of normal mapping and specular highlighting on some surfaces creates a more realistic look to the environments.
Saints Row: The Third also represents a large graphical improvement over the second game in the series. In-depth characterisation and an intriguing story are left behind in favour of what made the earlier GTA games so much fun to play in the first place - that is, being able to mess around in an open-world playground where realism is given the elbow in favour of all-out insanity.
Grand Theft Auto may be taking a more serious tone as the series matures but the Saints Row games are moving in the opposite direction.
