Does Saints row 2 have a chance on its own?

With the impending release of GTA 4 around the corner much is being kept very quiet about the sequel to possibly the best street gang themed game. Saints row 1 was the first crime sandbox genre game ushered into next gen exclusively on the XBOX 360. While the moronic many proclaimed it a clone or a ripoff the secure few played and enjoyed the hell out of it. Its campy storyline and its chaotic gameplay elements provided hours of enjoyment for those willing to try it. But it was not only labeled a clone or ripoff by kids who have no understanding of genres or gaming history, but also by "supposedly" pro gaming journalist and T.V personality's. Saints row 1 wasn't really given a fair shake by these "supposedly" pro gaming journalist. In fact many of them found it hard to review the game on its own merits w/o bringing up GTA. Which only tells me that apparently the stupid kids who don't understand genre's or gaming history are now stupid adults who still haven't learned.

The sad part about all this is that the bigger gaming news companies are the guilty of this the most. Nate Ahearn of IGN said this in his preview for Saints row 2,
"Its not easy for a company to make an open-world game that stands totally separate from the titan that is grand theft auto. THQ went the opposite direction of other companies and decided to make their first entry into the free-roaming gangster genre what was essentially reskinned GTA"

He acknowledges the free roaming gangster genre as such, but continues to contradict his intelligence. I guess its good many of these journalist were just a glimmer in their dads eye when gaming first started getting some attention. Its not about saints row being a flop it isn't, in fact according to VG Chartz it has sold over 1.7million copies, its not about Saints row 2 being a flop, chances are it will not. Its about these so called journalist dealing with the game on its own merits, and getting their heads out of their ass. You really have to wonder if any of these people have a clear cut understanding to what exactly a genre is and how it is built. Although Saints row 2 is sounding very promising the stupidity parade that is "pro" gaming news is already marching to the same ignorant beat they marched to before the release of the first Saints row.