[Mac Sirloin]

So I almost replied with "but why not just beat legendary on easy mode", but I caught myself.

I beat Saints Row 3, surprisingly. I got both endings. The 'good' ending neuters about another hour worth of story gameplay out from under you, but you can just redo the mission any time to progress. Here's some spoilers.
Johnny Gat is permanently dead. Killed at the start of the game. No surprise return, no half-robot silliness. He's dead, and that's fucking stupid.
The 'good' ending has you returning to life as a media star and not as the leader of a psychotic empirical gang that brings cities to their knees. Killbane becomes your pal and Shaundi lives. You're seen as heroes for saving Steelport from Cyrus Temple and STAG.
The 'other' ending (not really 'bad' compared to the other) has you beat Killbane to death in the wreckage of his jet after he tries to escape. Shaundi is blown up. You destroy a flying aircraft carrier and take Steelport as your own personal city state. I'm guessing this is the Canon ending. I'm fine with that, but why they killed off two of your original gang members is beyond me.