I usually find normal difficulty in most games, especially this kind, a cakewalk. The only challenge I found in GTA games came from the glitchy way characters control (missions fail from random accidents like NPCs cars blocking the roadway). But Saints Row is pummeling me. It seems like every activity I do draws helicopters, and they take me put with such precision, I never stand a chance. I feel like I'm supposed to have a rocket launcher or something by now, maybe I spent too much money so far buying properties (my income is higher than the transaction limit). But the choppers target me so fast I dont even think I'd be able to aim at them, at least without then getting killed by ground enemies. And the cars catch fire and explode faster than I ever seem to be able to ditch them.

Ground enemies are taking me out Ghost Recon fast, too. Even after buying health upgrades. I've only gotten through two missions in the main campaign, but feel like I'm getting a late level beat down. The jokes are getting stale from me hearing them on repeat when I retry the mission a dozen times. Should I make the gameplay more easy/boring in order to enjoy the comedy?

Part of the issue with SR3 and RFG is that their physics and driving are "fun" but not balanced for difficulty. The game will just keep cramming guys into an area whether or not they will "realistically fit" or not where you can end up with a giant pile of people and cars and people on top of cars. It makes for fantastic explosions and action except for the type part you have 50 cars who will knock you down while hundreds of things shooting at you.

Not that kind of game. Just play on normal.

I actually like it on hardcore, but I'm playing a perfectionist run by taking over territory one at a time, doing all of the side missions, finding all of the collectibles, etc., so I can power through the upgrades at a good rate. I'm barely halfway through the story, and I'm already at twenty-two hours and fifty-four percent completion. I'm really enjoying maximizing the experience this way, because I just bumrushed the story content every time I've played it.

If you are not having fun play in a different way.

I am having a blast on normal not even taking cover and just blasting everyone in the face with duel pistols.

Play on normal. It's a power fantasy not a test of skill. It's like Arkham City, if you're dying all over the place the sense of unstoppable badassery is ruined. It's meant to be a cakewalk in other words. Also the early missions suck compared to the later levels. There's maybe one mission (POWER!) that stands out in the first 3 or so hours after the awesome opening. Give it time, blast through on normal and you'll get the comedy soon enough.

I don't know, this is Saints Row... There is no hard difficulty.

Play on normal