SR2 vs GTA IV

I know that lots of people were trying to stay away from the whole "you can't compare GTA to SR" but I decided that since I loved both the games a lot I would dive right in.
Lets start of with GTA. In the newest installment of Rock*'s controversial series they decided to take the realism path as so many games are these days. It got praise for doing so. In how many games can you just call up and play pool with your friend. It was like real life except you went to your job offering with a shotgun and pushed your girlfriend of the Empire State Building. But it was a little bothersome. I am in the middle of a drive loaded up with ammo armor and your headed to go rob a bank and you friend calls. If you turn him down he wont like you because you just blew him off. But if you say yes there goes 10 minutes of you driving being the law abiding citizen you are to go bowling!! Another thing is your girlfriend. Yea its kind of cool being able to log onto a computer sending someone a message over an online dating system but when it comes down to it its nothing more than taking your friends out. But GTA makes up for it in the story. Its amazing to see the story progress. Especially following Niko. He is an Immigrant from Siberia who has no talent other than death. His cousin promised him a mansion in America with all the girls he could ever want. He ended up with a ratty apartment with a cousin who is wanted due to his illegal gambling. Watching him build up and pick up the pieces is extraordinary. Another thing that is extraordinary is the voice acting. I can just imagine the hours and hours that went into it. But enough of GTA and on to SR2. Lemme tell you SR2 is certainly something. It might not have jaw dropping graphics and it might not be on the edge of technology but what it doesn't have in power it sure has in fun. You can do anything imaginable. Rob a store, go streaking, parachute out of a UFO you name it. Another thing that SR2 is good at is customization. You can completely create your character. Everything from nose shape to make up to weight the choice is yours. As well you can completely customize your gang. Their clothing their taunts their cloths and their graffiti. And one of the many houses you can buy, all customizable. It gives you the sense that it is your town. Saints Row does a good job with that. As you progress through the game and you take out more gangs you take over their hoods. As you take over more hoods you get more money every day. Go to your house and pick up the earnings. As well you can buy the shops in your hoods to make some extra dough. But Saints Row's strong suit is the multi player. You can go through the whole campaign with a friend. Thats right the whole story is either system link or Xbox Live co-op. Although its not as evolving as GTA it is still great fun. Everything you can do solo you can do in co op. Unlike in GTA's Free Roam. You cant do any missions or any side activities. I really don't think there is a winner. They are so different from each other I think there is room for both of them on the market. If you wanna be gangster struggling to make a living through pure disgusting crime then GTA is the game for you. If you just wanna blow sh*t up and have fun doing it then SR2 is defiantly for you!