Saints Row: The Third Review
Saints Row: The Third ReviewGenre: Action-Adventure
Developer: Deep Silver Volition
System I Played On: Xbox 360
Year: 2011
I remember back a couple of years ago I loved Saints Row 2, despite not playing the first one. And yeah, I loved Saints Row 2. It was really fun, and I played some Grand Theft Auto, but Saints Row got me first. Then I got around to GTA IV, and although I liked it, it’s still several levels behind the Saints Row 2 for me. And in Saints Row 2, there was a wacky side to it. And although it had a lot of humor, it was a game to be taken seriously, and won me over. Then Saints Row the third came out (by the way why is called the third?) and they thought they’d go for completely humorous. But with the fourth installment looking like it went for a total comedy game, it looks like the series has found its gimmick. And don’t get me wrong, there are serious moments in this. But in the end it’s just short of a comedy game, and still has the feel it’s suppose to be serious. I’ll tell you my main problem. They kept the original saints, and are acting like this was what happened to them. So after a deep story, this is what they’ve become? Why? Shaundi got a giant makeover from stoner to bitchy spunky girl, Pierce isn’t getting shitted on nearly as he should in a comedy game, and let’s not even talk about Johnny. Anyway, that’s my main problem. But I’m a guy who can accept change. And there is a lot of improvements. The new leveling system is amazingly expansive, and such a nice edition to the game. And when you’re making thousands of dollars and can actually spend it on tons of cool upgrades, it really feels like a nice payoff. Not to mention you can upgrade your guns, all of them. And although I didn’t find myself at the gun shop as often, when I did it was really cool, especially with all the ridiculous weapons that I have to admit are better than the last game’s. (I’m not going to reference that purple thing that everyone else is) But in short, the weapons are really cool, as well as the vehicles. It’s mostly being handed to you now whereas the last game was mostly trying to encourage obtaining these weapons a little more, but same difference. And there are also new characters with the new storyline. And I’ll admit, they’re all likeable. They have their gimmicks, but the writing and humor keeps them afloat, but they’re not comparable to the last game’s cast, and it shows from the lack of screen time, less moments, and more reliance on witty dialogue that doesn’t last long. Sure there are moments where it’s awesome what they do, (Burt fucking Reynolds) (Hulk Hogan voicing Angel) and although I feel sad that the cast is getting this strange make over instead of just getting a new one, I will still count this as passable. As far as the story it’s another mixed bag. The gangs are a huge step down from the Ronin, Sons of Samedi, and of course the Brotherhood. They’re just weird guys that don’t leave any impression aside from the o.k. Stag guy and guy leaving the Mexican guys. Yeah, know their gimmick, know what color they represent, you don’t even need to know their name. And even the Saints which felt like this union of cool people is now just a parody, and that’s a little of a downer. But again, what this lacks in improving the story, it improves in the what it seeks to achieve. Fun violent game-play, just being as stupid as possible, (in a good way) and of course just slapping any good idea that comes. And I have to say two great things come from this. One, some really cool missions. My personal favorite was the one where you could become a luchador wrestler, and although it was a parody, and the writers probably don’t even recognize wrestling, I could tell someone in those offices did, because there are so many wrestling moves you can throw at people. And before I talk about the side missions lets talk about those little things you can do. Punch people in the balls, drop kick them, taunt them with a Kamehameha Wave, you do whatever. And little things like this are awesome. I don’t know why the hostage mode where you grabbed someone as a shield is now worse. But hey, the side missions. This is another mixed bag, but this one is on the positive side. A lot of the old cool side missions are gone, like Fight Club my favorite completely missing. And forget the one where you throw sewage at everything, be a bodyguard to celebrities, and a couple others. But they keep some good ones like Insurance Fraud, which is another personal favorite. And they add some cool ones, ones that really catch your interest. But now they’re required in some missions, and although it’s not for long, and you can roam after awhile, and it helps you get into them. And now that’s how you take over the city, along with buying buildings, buying shops, and a lot more. Before it’s an icing on the cake, but now it’s a layer of the cake, while you decide your own icing. It’s better because I actually wanted to play them, whereas before I thought it was a cool bonus. But now that it actually helps me a lot in game-play it’s a huge win. And I know I’ve compared these games a lot, but big changes call for that. Again, this could have been avoided with a new cast, hell we do have one pretty much, they just have the same names, and not even the same personalities. This game has charm, and although some of it gets carried away with being silly, or just causing a disturbing amount of punishment, it’s still mostly just fun. It’s not raw, and Saints Row 2 is the better game, this is still a great game. Over the past couple weeks I spent twenty hours delving into just about everything but snatching the last couple collectibles. I had a lot of fun, but the problems stand, and I think because they could easily be avoided. (Just change the cast to a new generation of Saints, it will change a lot) But in the end all criticism is hard to face, even with the most butt hurt face. It just does so well with the real world music that pops in and out, unique style, fun missions, and just being crazy. It may not be the same, but the series looks like it’ll be heading in the direction it wants full force, possibly for the better.
Saints Row: The Third gets a 4/5
Spoilers: So really, the great Johnny Gat died like that? I heard they might have brought him back for round four, but they really expected us to live with that? And with is Shaundi going from cool stoner to bitchy sidekick! Ugh! And why not make fun of Pierce more! I did like the new guys, they were cool, I’ll admit it. But I loved the missions, especially towards the end, Zombie missions, wrestling missions, you name it, it had it. Speaking of the end, I liked you could play both endings, but I prefer saving Shaundi over killing Killbane. All I needed to do was take is mask off, and Shaundi is a homie. But fuck the general guy, he was pretty boring. The Ultor guy from the last game wasn’t great or anything either, but he provided a cool ending, not like this one where it came out of nowhere, and although I loved the Gangsters… in space! Mission, I really didn’t the goosebumps like the last one.
Badges
Saints Row: The Third gets THE CHARACTER BADGE
Saints Row: The Third gets THE CREATIVITY BADGE
