Saints Row: when a franchise focuses entirely on fun and tongue-in-cheek humor
, by Quentin
At the height of its popularity, Saints Row was hailed as a worthy competitor to Grand Theft Auto, borrowing some of its codes while making even fewer concessions when it came to tongue-in-cheek humor and complete derision. Unfortunately, it was this immense, limitless mess that would also cause its downfall and prevent it from lasting as long as its “rival” from Rockstar Games.
The first stones were laid in 2006
It was in 2006, exclusively on Microsoft's Xbox 360 console, that the franchise first saw the light of day. Here we discover the foundations of the franchise: the atmosphere and the world of gangs.
You are part of the Saints and wreak havoc in the city of Stillwater, inspired by Detroit and Chicago. You'll meet characters who will become iconic in the saga, such as Johnny Gat.
However, this installment is the hardest to get into, as its controls have aged poorly and it is limited in terms of content and gameplay compared to subsequent episodes. For newcomers, it's like discovering Grand Theft Auto III after playing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Nevertheless, it laid the foundations for the universe and introduced it to players and the specialist press, who gave it a positive reception. The machine was now up and running.
2008: The formula gets refined with a new entry
Saints Row earned its first accolades two years later with the second installment, released in 2008 on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. This time around, it expanded to other platforms, allowing new players to discover the experience.
Saints Row 2 went further, abandoning the slightly more serious tone of the first game in favor of a more outrageous approach.
Still set in Stillwater, the map was expanded with new locations and enlarged by about 45% compared to the previous title. The playground was larger, and many crazy activities enriched the game world.
The goal remains the same: to make the Saints the only gang in town and take down the other criminals and the Ultor Corporation. The now legendary Johnny Gat returns, and we are introduced to Pierce, Shaundi, Carlos, Aisha, and Tera.
Although Saints Row 2 pales in comparison to Grand Theft Auto IV, released the same year, it scores points with players who found Rockstar Games' work too serious.
This new installment also stands out for its character customization options, the ability to experience the adventure in co-op mode with a friend, and entertaining mini-games such as insurance fraud, oil change man, muscle man, chaos, and ladies' man. It took a new direction -and one that would go on to become a staple in subsequent games...
2011, the peak year for the franchise
The franchise reached its peak in 2011, still on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC (although it would later be re-released and ported to newer consoles). Saints Row: The Third is certainly the most popular episode among players, and many discovered the saga thanks to this installment.
Still lagging behind technically, Volition doesn't seem to be trying to enter this race, preferring to prioritize the overall atmosphere and fun at all costs. The same goal and iconic characters remain, and new enemies with distinct styles are introduced.
The game offers some memorable moments, including a mission set to Kanye West's cult hit, Power. The marketing around Saints Row is also gaining momentum and has nothing to be ashamed of compared to the competition.
Its reception proves that players don't always focus on the graphical qualities of a game, as long as it offers rich content and unrestrained humor. While certainly less deep and subtle than the writing in Grand Theft Auto, its Z-movie vibe will delight fans of the genre.
Despite this, the developers failed to channel this unbridled side and went too far with Saints Row IV.
Saints Row loses its footing and players leave it behind
Things started to get rowdy for Volition and their license in 2013. Saints Row IV got released on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. Initially conceived as a mere expansion of Saints Row: The Third under the name Enter the Dominatrix, the developers made the mistake of delaying the DLC to turn it into a full game.
This time around, you're no longer just a gang leader: you've become President of the United States. Unfortunately, your term in office doesn't go as planned, as an alien invasion takes place and propels you into a virtual world where you have numerous powers at your disposal.
There's also a strong futuristic aspect, with the use of lasers and spaceships. This approach struggled to convince and appeal to players, as the teams seemed to have taken a turn that was too extreme and diametrically opposed to the previous installments.
Things didn't get any better with the stand-alone Saints Row: Gat out of Hell, released in 2015, where you play as Johnny Gat or Kinzie Kensington to wreak havoc in hell in an attempt to save the soul of the leader of the Saints. An even more twisted storyline that didn't help Volition's cause.
We'll have to wait until 2022 to see the franchise return with a reboot episode, simply titled Saints Row. It's still in the hands of Volition, you follow the birth of the Saints with some brand new characters.
This time around, the devs seem to have played it too safe. The gang members are bland and lack personality: it's all too flat and lacks any punch. The franchise seems to have run out of steam and is struggling to find its feet on entirely new foundations.
The result is clear, both critically and commercially. This led to the sad closure of Volition by Embracer, leaving Saints Row facing a very uncertain future.
How did you discover Saints Row? Which entry was your favorite? Tell us everything in the comments below!