Saints Row has always been a strange series. While the first attempt to cash in on the open-world bandwagon was made two years before Grand Theft Auto IV arrived on the Xbox 360 and PS3, it slowly began to play out the wacky madness that GTA IV abandoned. It got to the point where Saints Row 3 had you piloting a ship from the future, and Saints Row 4 became a kind of spiritual successor to older superhero games, like The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction.
Now, with a back-to-basics reboot in the hands of the masses, it’s time to take a look at the franchise to see where the newest stacks up against its older sibling, while also seeing how Where does each installment compare to the rest of the series.
5. Saints Row (2006)
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The original Saints Row came out in 2006, and boy does it show. From its dated visuals, rigid movement, and vintage open-world design, the first game in the Saints Row series is a rough ride. The game so badly wants to be GTA III but doesn’t have much of the polish that made GTA III a classic.
The writing isn’t as fun or interesting as Rockstar’s title, nor is the gameplay as varied as the later installments. It feels like a game that was made by AI rather than soul and passion, like the later entries. Even if you get it on Xbox for a few dollars, you’re better off skipping this first outing and going straight for the sequel.
4. Saints Row (2022)
Image Source: Deep Silver
The franchise reboot was doomed to the wrath of fans even before it was announced. How do you top in the fourth installment, in which you fought against an alien force with super powers? The only way up was down, which perfectly describes this latest game.
Saints Row 2022 is far from the disaster many are hyping up, but it isn’t even the best in the series. Best of all, the latest game in the franchise is a totally fine time-killer if you need to blow off some steam. It looks and plays fine, and the writing might get you around, but it’s not exactly what fans wanted from the reboot.
3. Saints Row 4
Image Source: Deep Silver
Saints Row 4 was all out in a case of insanity. Within the first hour, you become the President of the United States, Keith David is your vice president of choice, and you are involved in an alien invasion. After all, you’re set in a Matrix-like version of Steelport and gifted with Super Powers that let you run at supersonic speeds, use telekinesis, elemental explosions, and more. It makes for a crazy good time, but it feels less like a Saints Row game and more like a prototype or sequel to Crackdown.
Additionally, it’s hard not to compare Saints Row to other superhero games, where it was a bit short. The abilities, while entertaining, weren’t as flashy or beefy as something like Notorious 2 or Prototype 2. Plus, the various missions where you don’t have your powers make for an inconsistent experience.
While well received by critics at the time, Saints Row 4 had a more divisive sentiment from fans, who felt the series jumped the shark. Still, it’s worth a look if you find it on sale.
2. Saints Row 2
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Saints Row 2 is often considered the pinnacle of the series. The game’s personality makes it a fan favorite, as it strikes a perfect balance of earlier GTA humor with the zanier antics of later Saints Row games.
The writing is still strong and will make you laugh during its 20-hour adventure. It’s hard to feel like your inner 12-year-old is giddy when you run into missions where you’re spewing sewer water full of feces. Sure, its gameplay isn’t out of date, the feel of the gunplay is dated, but its mission design and focus on fun without adulteration make this entry well worth checking out.
1. Saints Row: Third
Image Source: THQ
While some fans will tell you that Saints Row 2 is the best in the franchise, Saints Row: The Third is the one that eventually broke away from anything like GTA and really became its own thing. The third installment of the franchise finally accepted the absurdity of it all and became a full-fledged cartoon. In one minute your sky dives from a plane, only to fight against a street gang of masked luchadors, and you’re also transported into a Tron-like computer world. It makes for a crazy ride that will get better the longer you play. It has also seen the most refinements, thanks to several re-releases, making it the most accessible and entertaining game in the franchise.
It starts off slow, the first few hours of tutorials are glorified, but once it ramps up, it’s an adventure that’s hard to put down.
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