Some games are like watching someone get kicked in the nuts – there’s no real finesse in the act itself but it sure is funny to watch. The rear (you’ll see what I did there…) of the Saints Row The Third box implores you to “strap it on” so you know for sure there’s a kick in the nuts on its way…
Developer: Volition Inc.
Publisher: THQ
For fans of: The abovementioned schoolyard antics…
Reviewed on: Xbox 360
Also available on: PS3 and PC
If we had to give it a numerical score: 8.5 out of 10
What I liked
- Fun. Fun. Fun. And Funny.
- With giant dildos.
- Destruction! Mayhem! Chaos!
- Insane character customisation.
- Nice gang variety with lunatic characters.
Not so much
- Starts to get a little boring after a while.
- City doesn’t feel ‘alive’ like GTA IV managed.
Overview
Saints Row The Third is a genuine surprise. Especially as I really didn’t like the first one – playing it but finding it mediocre at best. I then bought the second one only for it to still be on my shelf unplayed. This third third-person open world game is not simply a humorous GTA knock-off. It is fun, funny and totally irreverent. Nothing’s sacred and in all likelihood if you can’t have a laugh you will land up being offended. And I’m sure the game wouldn’t want it any other way.
Gameplay and Features
While it is sadly predictable to do so – the easiest point of reference is GTA. Mixed with Dead Rising 2. And an S&M club. While a Reality TV crew follow you around. With huge purple dildos.
Yes, the game is that manic. It plays like pretty much all the third-person open world games you’ve ever played, drops the reality of most and introduces some of the most over-the-top sequences and humour ever introduced to a videogame. From the hilarity of the opening sequence where an actor follows members of the Third Street Saints – who are now superstars of the (gang) world – on a manic bank robbery as research for his role in a movie about them to the activity known as Professor Genki’s Super Ethical Reality Climax (really), the game is insane.
The game follows the Saints as they leave Stilwater – the setting of the first two games – and head to a new city called Steelport where they try to rebuild and profit while fighting factions of the gang organisation known as the Syndicate. This is done by increasing your influence in portions of the city via main missions, side missions and activities. Most of this is done by means of mass destruction with bullets and explosions – which includes Saints Row’s nod to Call of Duty’s drone. Some of the activities should be familiar to those who played the previous games – Insurance Fraud being a particular favourite – and a few new ones have been added too – the aforementioned Professor Genki’s S.E.R.C. being a highlight.
Steelport’s gangs and characters are a truly colourful bunch. There’s the European influenced Morning Star, the Mexican wrestling crew called the Luchadores, the hackers known as The Deckers and (later) the paramilitary crazies called… erm, STAG. Then there are also the entertaining members of each organisation you meet during your crusade. Your first meeting with a new associate called Zimos involves a cart (you read that right) chase with Zimos dressed in bondage and pulling you through the streets of Steelport. Consider that image for a moment… yeah, awesome isn’t it?
Unlike the previous games, the mission sequences are pretty linear, but at least it helps drive the storyline along – although you can partake in the destruction of gang members as you come across them and as the whim takes you. There are some missions which end with a choice, which do appear to marginally affect the plot of the game when you move on to the next gang to enter your sights. You also get to upgrade your abilities, vehicles and strongholds (or cribs if you want to be gangsta) as you earn some respect points and money.
The game has a highly entertaining single player campaign which is amplified if you find the perfect (read: “equally as deranged”) co-op partner either over split-screen, system link or over the world-wide-web.
Visuals and Sound
The game looks decent. I’m loathe to try and pretend it’s a glorious looking game, because it isn’t, and doesn’t try to be. It’s a colourful world which looks great while travelling at high speed and while everything is being blown to smithereens, but is pretty functional when you’re simply taking in the sites. Objects look a little rough from a distance – but that’s most noticeable while flying and subsequently flinging yourself from said plane.
Generally, the voice acting is good – especially considering there are multiple options for the main character. The various – and sometimes ludicrous – characters (see Zimos above) are brought to life by the voice acting. A special note should be made of the radio stations – they are varied and entertaining and the news reports add a nice recap of your deviant deeds.
Final thoughts
I would generally have no problem recommending the game to everyone… however, if you don’t, can’t or won’t accept the slightly (at times) crass humour, sexual innuendo, manic mayhem and general lunacy, you will hate the game. I loved it. I mean, it has gimps and dildos… what’s not to love?
Zombiegamer rating:
