TheSaints Rowfranchise has gone through an impressive evolution. Originally dismissed as aGrand Theft Autoclone, the series established its own identity with a more expansive character customization system and a lack of reverence that just got crazier over time.Saints Row: The Thirdseems to be when the series truly stopped taking itself seriously, in spite of some character angst present in the plot. Considering how ridiculousSaints Row 4was with itsInfamous-like superhero mechanicsand aliens,The Thirdwas a more effective compromise between fans who wanted the most absurd vulgarities possible, and others who wanted a decent open-world action game about criminals.
The newSaints Rowreboot will be the first original game in the series since 2013’sSaints Row 4, and judging from what trailers show, it will try to preserve the series' trademark goofiness instead of going back down a semi-serious route like the first and second games. It is also clear that the newSaints Rowwill most integrate modern gaming mechanics and tropes into its systems. While that might seem necessary from an evolutionary standpoint, it is critical for the game to preserve the charm of its predecessors, especiallyThe Third.
RELATED:Saints Row Co-Op Makes Big Changes, Including Pranks
The Appeal of Saints Row: The Third
While some classic fans may be dismayed at the direction the series took in the 2010s, the originalSaints Rowhad equally ridiculous moments, including a mission where the player had to smear feces on a wall.Saints Row: The Thirdtook these absurd moments and made a whole game around them, furthersplitting theSaints Rowseries fromGrand Theft Auto. The game’s city of Steelport is just as, if not more depraved and dangerous than Stilwater, and a lot more colorful. While the new characters are still criminals, they differ from traditional gangster archetypes. Steelport is home to cyberpunk hackers, rogue FBI agents, luchador packs, pimps with autotune voices, and more bizarre concepts.Saints Row: The Thirdis still about gangs fighting one another for turf, but aside from Morningstar the gangs are less straightforward and flashier; even the Saints went from violent thugs to fancy celebrities that can finance their amoral lifestyles.
The game does not try to be a poignant critique of sandbox games or criminal narratives, instead it attempts to introduce weird ideas that fit the crime game paradigm and make these concepts as tonally consistent as possible. However, the game’s successful integration of its predecessors’ formula with a newfound embrace of the most extreme ideas is not the only reason why it is an ideal template for theanticipatedSaints Rowreboot.
Expansive character customization that allows players to change everything about the protagonist’s appearance, gimmicky stores that offer every kind of clothing and accessory one might like, and the presence of NPCs like neon-colored mascots and zombies are among the contributors toSaints Row: The Third’s charm. Combined with core gameplay that consists of slaughtering civilians and authority figures, stealing vehicles, and wreaking havoc with a variety of weapons,Saints Row: The Thirdis a standout experience - albeit not for everyone.
TheSaints Rowreboot will play like a modern open-world gamewith expected cinematic cues and contemporary mechanics. However, in order to assert itself as a game with character, it must take notes from its predecessors.Saints Row: The Thirdis absurd without abandoning the appeal of typical open-world crime games unlike its follow-upSaints Row 4. This balance is the key for success, especially considering mixed reception to the reboot’s trailers. The reboot needs to remember that it is part of an established series, and not a cookie-cutter modern action game with a recognizable name.
Saints Rowreleases February 25 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
