Saints Row 2: Complete Guide (with PC Fixes)

Everything you need to enjoy Saints Row 2 on PC in 2026: the essential community patch, how Respect and the four story arcs work, which activities are worth your time, and tips for owning Stilwater.

Researched September 2026 — current as of the 2009 Steam PC release (no official patch since). Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.

Status: The Windows port launched in January 2009 (5 January in North America) and was heavily criticized for frame-rate problems and pop-in not found in the console versions; PC Gamer still counted it among the worst PC ports ever in 2021. It has never received the official overhaul Volition announced in October 2019 (Steam matchmaking to replace GameSpy, mod support, unreleased DLC). Volition was closed in 2023 and, as of 2026, that update remains unreleased. The Steam version is still on sale, including Linux/SteamOS builds added in 2016 (the German release is Windows-only).

Quick Start

• Install a community fix first. The stock PC port has timing and frame-pacing problems, and on modern CPUs parts of the game can run too fast or stutter. The community patch Gentlemen of the Row is the usual fix. Install it before you start a long save.
• Respect gates the story. You can only start a story mission by spending a full Respect bar. You earn Respect from activities, diversions and style. If you're stuck, run an activity.
• You pick the order. After the opening, three rival gangs each have their own storyline (the Brotherhood, the Ronin and the Sons of Samedi). Switch between them freely. A fourth arc against the Ultor Corporation opens once the gangs are handled.
• Take strongholds and territory. Clearing strongholds and buying stores grows the Saints' turf, which adds income and backup.
• Collect your cash at the crib. Hourly income accumulates and has to be collected at a crib rather than landing in your wallet automatically, so don't forget it.
• Customize freely. You can remake your Boss at Image As Designed at any time. Clothes, gang style and vehicles are all customizable.
• Use your homies. Call in lieutenants and gang members by phone for backup. They'll revive you when you're downed.
• Save often. The PC port crashes more than modern games. Save before and after missions.

Getting It Running on a Modern PC

Problem | What to do

Game speed and timing feel wrong, or it stutters | Install Gentlemen of the Row (GotR), the community-maintained patch that fixes timing, frame pacing and many port bugs, and adds modern options

Low frame rate in the city | The engine is CPU-bound and single-thread heavy. Lowering shadows and draw distance helps more than lowering resolution

Controller problems | Use Steam Input. Recent community patches also improve native pad support

Online co-op won't connect | The original PC matchmaking used GameSpy, which shut down in May 2014, and the promised Steam replacement never shipped. Treat online as unreliable and check community patch notes for current workarounds

Linux/Steam Deck | Native Linux build exists (except the German version), and Proton is another option

Install GotR by following the instructions on its own project page. It replaces or adds files in the game folder, so back up your saves first (they live in your Documents or Steam folders depending on setup).

How the Game Is Structured

The setup

Years after the original Saints Row, your Boss wakes from a coma in a prison hospital, breaks out, and finds the Saints gone and Stilwater carved up by three new gangs and the Ultor Corporation. You rebuild the crew, recruit lieutenants (Johnny Gat, Shaundi, Pierce and Carlos), and take the city back.

The four story arcs

Arc | Enemy | Leader | Flavor

The Brotherhood | Metalhead gun-runners | Maero | Trucks, tattoos and a monster-truck grudge. Ends with a demolition derby showdown

The Ronin | Japanese bosozoku gang | Shogo Akuji (heir to the Akuji family) | Gambling, bikes, katanas. Very personal for Johnny Gat, and it ends at a funeral

The Sons of Samedi | Vodou drug empire | The General | Drug labs and "Loa Dust". Ends with an ambush on the General

Ultor | The corporation | Dane Vogel | Opens after the gangs. Reveals Ultor's role in the gang war

There's also a twist ending involving former Saints leader Julius Little, plus later side missions that tie it together. The game has over 40 story missions, and Stilwater is more than 50% larger than in the first game.

Respect

• Respect is the currency for story missions. Each mission costs one full bar.
• Earn it from activities (fastest), diversions (small, constant bonuses), and wearing higher-Style clothing and gear, which boosts Respect gains.
• Leveling activities early means you're never stuck waiting.

Money and territory

• Income accumulates hourly from owned stores and territories. Collect it regularly.
• Buying stores gives discounts and income, and taking strongholds claims neighborhoods.
• Money goes to guns (Friendly Fire), clothes (Impressions, Planet Saints and others), vehicle mods (Rim Jobs), surgery (Image As Designed), cribs and crib upgrades.

Activities Worth Doing

Each activity has several escalating levels that pay out cash and Respect. Finishing all the levels usually unlocks a permanent perk or reward, and they can be played in co-op.

Activity | What you do | Why bother

Insurance Fraud | Throw yourself into traffic for payout combos | Fast Respect once you learn the ragdoll

Mayhem | Cause as much property damage as possible in a time limit | Easy early money with explosives

Escort | Drive a client around while keeping the paparazzi off them | Relaxed, good cash

Trail Blazing | Ride a flaming quad bike and set targets on fire | Short and fun

Septic Avenger | Spray sewage on targets from a tanker truck | Classic Saints Row humor

Fight Club | Underground melee fights | Teaches the melee system

FUZZ | A "Cops" parody where you play the cop on camera | Lots of Respect from violence

Heli Assault | Shoot from a helicopter to protect or chase a target vehicle | Good with a friend in co-op

Snatch | Kidnap targets for a pimp and deliver them | Moderate difficulty

Hitman / Chop Shop | Kill listed targets or steal listed cars | Open-world lists that pay out when complete

Demolition Derby, Racing, Crowd Control, Drug Trafficking | Various | Round out completion and income

Diversions (car surfing, combat and driving stunts, streaking, and the survival-horror minigame Zombie Uprising) trickle in Respect constantly. Do them as you drive around.

Combat and Driving Basics

• Fine aim: Aim precisely for headshots and to shoot out tires. Headshots save ammo.
• Melee: Light and heavy attacks, with finishers and combos. Some finishers are brutal "special" moves.
• Human shield: Grab an enemy and use them as cover, which is great in tight gunfights.
• Notoriety: Police and gangs escalate separately. Lose notoriety by breaking line of sight, visiting a Forgive and Forget, or waiting it out after a chase.
• Vehicles: Cars, bikes, boats, helicopters and planes. Store favorites in your crib garage and tune them at Rim Jobs. Planes and helicopters open up the map late in the game.
• Homies: Call backup by phone. Lieutenants are tougher than regular gang members.

Co-op

The Steam page advertises a fully cooperative story campaign with drop-in/drop-out play. One player can drive while the other shoots, and both players earn progress. On PC, online connectivity depended on the defunct GameSpy service and the promised Steam matchmaking never shipped, so plan for it to be unreliable. Check the community patch's documentation for the current state of co-op.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Starting a long playthrough on the unpatched port. Install the community fix first so you don't have to restart later.
• Ignoring activities, then hitting a Respect wall.
• Not collecting income at your crib.
• Buying expensive clothes too early instead of weapons and stores that pay for themselves.
• Fighting cops at max notoriety when a quick Forgive and Forget would clear it.
• Not saving before hard missions or before experimenting with mods.
• Driving slow cars. Steal or buy something fast and store it in your garage.

Advanced Tips

• Stack Style. High-Style clothes raise your Respect multiplier, making each activity worth more.
• Buy stores early for discounts, especially Friendly Fire before a big weapon shopping trip.
• Complete activities for their perks. The permanent unlocks (like better health or reduced damage types) make the late game much easier.
• Use helicopters for strongholds. Air support simplifies many fights.
• Mix arcs. Rotating between the three gangs keeps enemy weapons and mission types varied and spreads your territory growth.
• Revisit the city after the credits. Free roam continues, with collectibles and activities still available.

FAQ

Is there an official remaster of Saints Row 2? No. Volition announced a PC update in 2019 but it was never released, and Volition closed in 2023. The community patch Gentlemen of the Row is the de facto fix.

Does Saints Row 2 work on Windows 11? Yes, it launches, but you'll want the community patch for timing and stability.

Can I play the co-op campaign online on PC? It was designed for it, but the GameSpy shutdown broke the official matchmaking. Results vary. Check community resources.

Did the PC version get the DLC (Ultor Exposed, Corporate Warfare)? Those packs released on consoles in 2009. They were never released on PC. The 2019 update announcement promised them, but that update never shipped.

How long is Saints Row 2? The main story alone takes a typical player roughly 20 or more hours. Full completion with all activities takes considerably longer.

Which Saints Row should I play next? Saints Row: The Third (or its Remastered version) continues the story in Steelport, followed by Saints Row IV and Gat out of Hell.

Sources

• Saints Row 2 on Steam
• Saints Row 2 — Wikipedia
• Steam announcement: Linux and SteamOS release (2016)
• Steam announcement: Saints Row franchise sale (2024)