Saints Row 2: Ultor Exposed
Encyclopedia
Saints Row 2: Ultor Exposed is an episodic expansion pack for the sandbox-style action-adventure
video game Saints Row 2
, developed by Volition, Inc. and published by THQ
. The first of three planned downloadable content packs, Ultor Exposed was released via Xbox Live
and PlayStation Network for the Xbox 360
and PlayStation 3
systems respectively, on April 23, 2009. Originally slated for an April 16 release, the game was delayed a week in order to be released alongside the demo
for Volition-developed game Red Faction: Guerrilla
.
Ultor Exposed features American
pornographic actor
Tera Patrick
, who plays herself as a former microbiologist
for the Ultor Corporation who calls upon the protagonist to help her expose the evils within it. The expansion pack also adds new customization options, vehicles, and additions to the game's multiplayer.
and SWAT
uniforms and also the winning entries in the Joystick Junkies competition. The pack also adds six new vehicles for use within the game, including the 'EDF Scout' which also is usable in Red Faction: Guerrilla.
The game also adds to the multiplayer component of the game. Four multiplayer maps can be played online, two for each of the major multiplayer modes in the game. In addition, a metagame
can be activated while players complete missions in co-operative play
. The goal in the metagame is to accumulate points during a mission by performing special kill bonuses, causing property damage etc. and the player with the most points after the mission is completed earns a cash bonus.
experiment as evidence. However, the press refuses to run the story and so the two hijack a truck containing chemicals that Ultor used in the experiments. News reporter Jane Valderamma is met by The Protagonist and says that she wants an interview with Tera if she is going to run the story. Tera, who fears being on live TV, begrudgingly agrees and when Tera is interviewed, Jane deliberately turns the interview on Tera after Tera tells that she was the one who conducted the experiments. After the interview, Tera promises Jane that she will find a way to expose Ultor, even without her.
, titled The Women of DLC.
gave generally positive praise for the game, praising the game's new co-op metagame but criticizing the relatively short missions, stating that "Whether or not Ultor Exposed is worth the $10 entrance fee depends on how much you enjoyed Saints Row 2, [...] [but] if you've been waiting for the right moment to pick this game up, convince a friend to do the same and download Ultor Exposed". Spanish game critic 3D Juegos gave the game a 6.4/10, giving praise to the in-game audio while also questioning the overall length of the mission arc. Popular aggregator EuroGamer gave a negative review, giving the game a 5/10 and stating that "It's hard to think of a reason why you'd part with good money for the limited extra entertainment offered by this DLC. There are two more downloadable packs on the way for Saints Row 2, but Volition has much to do to convince players to part with their cash next time." EvolvedGaming gave the game a 6/10, praising the multiplayer additions but criticizing Tera Patrick's voice acting and the entertainment value of the missions.
Action-adventure game
An action-adventure game is a video game that combines elements of the adventure game genre with various action game elements. It is perhaps the broadest and most diverse genre in gaming, and can include many games which might better be categorized under narrow genres...
video game Saints Row 2
Saints Row 2
Saints Row 2 is an open world action-adventure video game developed by Volition, Inc. and published by THQ for the Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 systems. It is the second title in the Saints Row series, after the release of Saints Row in 2006. It is succeeded by Saints Row: The...
, developed by Volition, Inc. and published by THQ
THQ
THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...
. The first of three planned downloadable content packs, Ultor Exposed was released via Xbox Live
Xbox Live
Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002...
and PlayStation Network for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
systems respectively, on April 23, 2009. Originally slated for an April 16 release, the game was delayed a week in order to be released alongside the demo
Game demo
A game demo is a freely distributed demonstration or preview of an upcoming or recently released video game. Demos are typically released by the game's publisher to help consumers get a feel of the game before deciding whether to buy the full version....
for Volition-developed game Red Faction: Guerrilla
Red Faction: Guerrilla
Red Faction: Guerrilla is an open-world third-person action video game developed by Volition, Inc. and published by THQ. It was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in June 2009 and for Microsoft Windows in September 2009...
.
Ultor Exposed features American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pornographic actor
Pornographic actor
A pornographic actor/actress or a porn star is a person who appears in pornographic film. Most actors appear nude in films...
Tera Patrick
Tera Patrick
Linda Ann Hopkins, better known as Tera Patrick is a former American pornographic actress.-Early life:Tera Patrick was born Linda Ann Hopkins in Great Falls, Montana. While at Boise State, Patrick earned an AAS degree in nursing and a BS in Biology.-Career:Patrick moved to New York City and her...
, who plays herself as a former microbiologist
Microbiologist
A microbiologist is a scientist who works in the field of microbiology. Microbiologists study organisms called microbes. Microbes can take the form of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists...
for the Ultor Corporation who calls upon the protagonist to help her expose the evils within it. The expansion pack also adds new customization options, vehicles, and additions to the game's multiplayer.
Gameplay
The game adds content for use with the main game. New hair and facial hair options have been added and in addition an array of new outfits can be purchased and worn by the player character, including the 'EDF Armor' which is an actual item in Red Faction: Guerrilla. Examples include the commonly requested police officerPolice officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
and SWAT
SWAT
A SWAT team is an elite tactical unit in various national law enforcement departments. They are trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular officers...
uniforms and also the winning entries in the Joystick Junkies competition. The pack also adds six new vehicles for use within the game, including the 'EDF Scout' which also is usable in Red Faction: Guerrilla.
Metagaming
Metagaming is a broad term usually used to define any strategy, action or method used in a game which transcends a prescribed ruleset, uses external factors to affect the game, or goes beyond the supposed limits or environment set by the game...
can be activated while players complete missions in co-operative play
Cooperative gameplay
Cooperative gameplay is a feature in video games that allows players to work together as teammates. It is distinct from other multiplayer modes, such as competitive multiplayer modes like player versus player or deathmatch...
. The goal in the metagame is to accumulate points during a mission by performing special kill bonuses, causing property damage etc. and the player with the most points after the mission is completed earns a cash bonus.
Plot
Tera Patrick meets with The Protagonist at the Saints Hideout and reveals that she knows some of the Ultor Corporation's dark secrets. The Protagonist, not wanting to pass the chance of exposing Ultor, agrees to help Tera out. The Protagonist digs up the bodies of discarded test subjects (The discarded bodies look like the zombies from the Saints Row 2 diversion Zombie Uprising) from a nanoroboticsNanorobotics
Nanorobotics is the emerging technology field of creating machines or robots whose components are at or close to the scale of a nanometer . More specifically, nanorobotics refers to the nanotechnology engineering discipline of designing and building nanorobots, with devices ranging in size from...
experiment as evidence. However, the press refuses to run the story and so the two hijack a truck containing chemicals that Ultor used in the experiments. News reporter Jane Valderamma is met by The Protagonist and says that she wants an interview with Tera if she is going to run the story. Tera, who fears being on live TV, begrudgingly agrees and when Tera is interviewed, Jane deliberately turns the interview on Tera after Tera tells that she was the one who conducted the experiments. After the interview, Tera promises Jane that she will find a way to expose Ultor, even without her.
Development
On September 25, 2008, producer of Saints Row 2 Dan Sutton stated in an interview that "Definitely we have [plans for downloadable content], yes. We haven't announced them yet, but we are looking at bigger stuff definitely." Saints Row 2 was released in mid-October, gaining positive acclaim. Although Sutton had hinted downloadable content was in the works, no official verification or details emerged, but he did hint that Tera Patrick might be in a DLC pack. No official word was given out on the DLC pack until late March, when a trailer was released, and an interview was granted with produce James Torbin, who gave out details of the pack and named it Ultor Exposed. Information detailing the official release date of April 16, 2009, as well as the release platforms and cost was published in an article on the game's official website. However, on April 14, two days before the official release, the game was delayed to April 23 so it could be released alongside the demo of Red Faction: Guerrilla. Ultor Exposed was finally released on April 23, 2009, alongside the release of the eleventh Street Lessons with Uncle Gary trailer starring Gary BuseyGary Busey
William Gary Busey , best known as Gary Busey, is an American film and stage actor and artist. He has appeared in a large variety of films, as well as making regular appearances on Gunsmoke, Walker, Texas Ranger, Law & Order, and Entourage...
, titled The Women of DLC.
Reception
Ultor Exposed has received an average response since its release. IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
gave generally positive praise for the game, praising the game's new co-op metagame but criticizing the relatively short missions, stating that "Whether or not Ultor Exposed is worth the $10 entrance fee depends on how much you enjoyed Saints Row 2, [...] [but] if you've been waiting for the right moment to pick this game up, convince a friend to do the same and download Ultor Exposed". Spanish game critic 3D Juegos gave the game a 6.4/10, giving praise to the in-game audio while also questioning the overall length of the mission arc. Popular aggregator EuroGamer gave a negative review, giving the game a 5/10 and stating that "It's hard to think of a reason why you'd part with good money for the limited extra entertainment offered by this DLC. There are two more downloadable packs on the way for Saints Row 2, but Volition has much to do to convince players to part with their cash next time." EvolvedGaming gave the game a 6/10, praising the multiplayer additions but criticizing Tera Patrick's voice acting and the entertainment value of the missions.