The boyz in the hood are coming back with vengeance as THQ has announced that Saints Row 2 will be re-defining the genre of open world online gaming.

The game should be out sometime next year on the 360 and PS3, and will be developed using THQ’s proprietary open-world engine which will offer fans vastly expanded customization options, a totally transformed and expanded city of Stilwater, all new vehicles, sandbox tools and toys as well as both online co-op and competitive multi-player.

“Saints Row set the bar for next-gen open-world development, earning praise for its unmatched customization, controls, and the genre’s first-ever online multiplayer,” said Scott Guthrie, executive vice president of sales and marketing, THQ.

“The team at Volition, Inc. is leveraging invaluable experience gained on Saints Row to build Saints Row 2 into a game that sets the standard for combat, player freedom, customization, vehicle game-play, team-based co-op and the most compelling online open world experience to date.”

“Saints Row 2 has a much darker and more sinister story that leads your character down a path of betrayal, revenge and redemption against the city that has left him for dead, although we’ve blended that with the same light-hearted humor from the original.” said Greg Donovan, lead producer, Volition, Inc.

“Couple that with the most robust open-world feature set ever developed in the genre, and Saints Row 2 promises a gaming experience that will offer players the perfect balance of gripping narrative and compelling gameplay options.”

>> Link - Official Site/Saints Row 2