When comparing Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes vs Saints Row IV, the Slant community recommends Saints Row IV for most people. In the question“What are the best Online Co-Op games on Steam?” Saints Row IV is ranked 23rd while Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is ranked 33rd. The most important reason people chose Saints Row IV is:
Saints Row 4 offers a very compelling open world experience that excels when openly parodying other games. So not only does it offer what is the norm of open world gameplay of traversing a large city while completing objectives but it does so in a funny way that pokes fun at similar titles and goes over the top providing an extreme representation.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Hilarious situations arise as tension increases
Both sides in the game can not see what the other does, creating a situation of confusion that needs a good bit of team work. A ticking bomb adds the tension needed for players to spit out the first things that come to mind when describing strange symbols or patterns.
Pro Great for parties with friends and strangers alike
One person has the bomb on screen, and 1-5 "experts" need to consult the manual (either online or printed out). Thing is: the bomb defuser can't see the manual, and the experts don't see the bomb with its various modules.
The person who sees the bomb will have to precisely say what they see, and then the experts will frantically flip through the manual to find the instructions for that particular module. To succeed, you will all have to work together.
Pro Bomb defusal manual is easily accessible
The manual can be viewed as a PDF download as well as a static webpage, which gives easy access to any mobile device as well as PC. On top of this the manual can be printed out for those that would rather navigate tactically, which is often the easier way to go due to touch and ease of flipping pages (over a tablet or phone). Basically you are able to pull up the manual in any way you prefer, which requires little preparation, even on short notice.
Pro Great for quick games
Not a lot of setup is necessary, and a round lasts just a few minutes, so you don't need to commit to a lot of time before starting.
Pro VR minimizes cheating
The point of the game is that those with the manual are not able to actually see the bomb, this can be difficult to achieve when using a regular monitor to play the game, as someone could sneak a peak. Using a VR headset guarantees that no one with the manual will be able to see the bomb as it is only visible to the one wearing the VR headset.
Pro An open sandbox provides a wide variety of activities
Saints Row 4 offers a very compelling open world experience that excels when openly parodying other games. So not only does it offer what is the norm of open world gameplay of traversing a large city while completing objectives but it does so in a funny way that pokes fun at similar titles and goes over the top providing an extreme representation.
Pro 2 player online co-op
Saint's Row IV features 2 player online co-op, thought there is no local co-op supported.
Pro Great soundtrack selection
With 109 songs, there is going to be music that suits just about anyone. This also makes for a realistic experience of listening to a radio (as that is how the tracks are provided, as songs on different radio stations in game) due to so many songs being available as it mimics how a radio station would play.
Pro Great character customization
Players can change their appearance if they need to, at any time.
Pro There's a dubstep gun (SRIV)
Cons
Con Puzzles may become stale after repetitive play
Particular modules in the game may be seen after playing repeatedly, which will make for easier play and quicker puzzle solving. This will have a tendency to make the gameplay feel stale due to ones familiarity with the puzzles.
One example, is the Keypads module where the defuser will need to describe strange symbols. Part of the fun is struggling to describe something, or figure out what is being described and calling the other person an idiot for not getting it.
Con Morse code section difficult for those with dry or bad eyes
There is a morse code module section of the game that relays morse code through visual cues, in order to understand the code the player will need to not blink for 3 seconds straight. While for most players this is not an issue, those that have chronic dry eyes or any other condition that requires blinking a lot, the code will be difficult if not impossible to understand. An optimal solution would be a setting to change this to audio cues, but sadly that is not an option.
Con Number of players can determine whether you succeed or fail
Most modules can be worked on one at a time - you start describing one to an expert, and he replies right away telling you what to do. Some modules however require some time for the expert to decipher. For example, if there is just one expert and you get the Morse code module you are pretty much screwed as deciphering the Morse code takes a lot of precious time. If you had an extra expert, you could work on deciphering it while they worked on another module.
Con Worst Saints Row game
Saints row one and two were amazing with it being a serious gang game. The third installment was pretty good but not as serious but it did stick to the formula. But IV is NOT a good installment to this franchise. How do you go from a 3rd person gang shooter to a 3rd person alien shooter with superpowers. Some missions were fun as hell and the last one being one of the best missions but half of the game is destroying this thing and another thing. If it wasn't a saints row game then a 8/10 but they ruined the franchise so a 5/10.
Con Generally only one player (in co-op mode) gets to do the scripted parts
While different players have different roles when playing co-op only the main player is going to see the scripted parts of the game.