Unfortunately, you cannot simply play through the story - you're required to complete reputation meter-filling activities scattered around Stilwater before you can tackle the next plot-driving mission. These activities include everything from GTA's "steal the cars on this list" heists to shotgun-riding drug trafficking jobs to its most creative mini-games: insurance fraud and mayhem.
Each puts Row's stellar Havok physics system to comic use. For insurance fraud, you'll use the controller's left and right triggers to make your avatar's body go limp, allowing you to throw yourself in front of moving cars. You'll earn fraud money based on distance hurtled, witnesses present, etc. Mayhem missions gift you with unlimited ammunition for either your shotgun, automatic rifle or (if you're lucky) rocket launcher and challenges you to cause as much property damage as possible within a certain time limit. Offing group of pedestrians, shooting passing drivers through their windshields and blowing up cars - then watching said vehicles spit out their flaming doors, fenders and occupants - is as satisfying as it is hilarious.