Saints Row Taking a New Approach is a Double-Edged Sword

ClareForaAugust 26, 2021

After an prolonged hiatus, Deep Silver Volition revealed that the Saints Row franchise is primed to return early subsequent yr at Gamescom. The final launch within the Saints Row collection was Gat Out of Hell, a spin-off starring beloved reoccurring character Johnny Gat as he battled his means out of the afterlife, launched in 2015. The final fundamental entry, Saints Row 4, launched in 2013 and noticed the titular prison syndicate ascending to the White Home whereas preventing off an alien invasion with tremendous powers and phallic baseball bats.

Now, Deep Silver Volition is getting a brand new crew along with a reboot that returns to the franchise’s gangland roots. That includes an amusing “prison syndicate as enterprise start-up” premise, this new installment of the Saints collection maintains a signature mix of bombastic, crime-action and comedy. However the GamesCom trailer additionally represents a transparent tonal shift for the collection.

The reboot – merely titled Saints Row – is way from grounded, because the trailer boasts a gravity defying automotive chase that will make The Fast and the Furious movies blush. However the collection is backing away from the absurdities of aliens, presidential aspirations, superpowers, and demonic legions. A clean slate is certain to open up storytelling alternatives, however shedding the collection’ most outlandish options could come at a value.

What Occurred to the Aliens and Tigers?

When the unique Saints Row first launched in 2006, it was couched as a direct competitor to Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto franchise. The collection arguably hit its stride with its third installment, nonetheless, when the collection began to let its hair down. Although aliens and superpowers wouldn’t arrive till the subsequent sport, the recently remastered Saints Row: The Third leaned into ridiculous parts to distinguish itself from GTA.

Some notable examples embody the Jackass-esque “Path Blazing” flaming ATV mini sport, and the “Tiger Escort” exercise, wherein gamers should cruise round in a automotive, drifting at applicable intervals to appease a tiger that periodically assaults the player. The sport additionally launched a now-infamous, iconic melee weapon: The Penetrator. The writing, whereas juvenile, made absolutely the most of its weird set items and eccentric characters.

With a playful “start-up for dangerous guys” conceit, it’s clear 2022’s Saints Row hasn’t misplaced its humorousness, however gamers who most well-liked the zanier parts of Saints Row’s sandbox worlds could discover themselves miffed by the comparatively conventional-if-lawless southwestern setting. In spite of everything, there are dozens of video games the place gamers can drive round cities doing crimes in vehicles. Comparatively fewer titles let gamers accomplish that in a bobblehead helmet whereas wielding Hulk-like “Apoca-Fist” gauntlets.

Doing Battle with GTA

Between the glowing cat-eared motorbike helmet and vehicles that may apparently leap up skyscrapers, the trailer doesn’t make it look like the brand new Saints Row will likely be positioned as a next-gen GTA-killer. However taking a step away from lunacy in favor a of crime comedy with shades of social commentary is unquestionably a step towards GTA‘s territory. Each video games will occupy mechanically and thematically related areas, and gamers will inevitably evaluate them.

However this match-up would possibly go higher for Saints Row than one would count on primarily based on GTA’s legendary clout. Whereas Rockstar has steadily injected contemporary content material into Grand Theft Auto On-line, it have to be acknowledged that the sport is beginning to present its age in sure respects. If nothing else, skilled gamers have seen the scope of what it has to supply, and lots of of these gamers are probably hungry for one thing contemporary.

Alongside the enduring success of GTA On-line, Grand Theft Auto 6 is likely an extremely long way off. Not like the late 2000s by the early 2010s, there are far fewer collection’ working in that very same house right this moment. Saints Row may provide a welcome change-up to these hungry for one thing new, however that assumes all the things goes in keeping with plan. Competing with one of the crucial critically acclaimed titles of the final decade is just not a half-hearted endeavor.

If Deep Silver Volition is just too conservative with its mechanics and story, it is going to have a particularly tough time differentiating itself from GTA 5 and GTA On-line. Even when Saints Row’s choices are wonderful, will probably be a tough promote to persuade invested gamers to modify video games if the 2 titles really feel too related.

Contemporary Faces In Acquainted Territory

There’s a motive there are fewer GTA clones than there have been a decade in the past: the format turned acquainted. Between True Crime, Sleeping Canine, Saints Row, and a number of lesser-known titles, the market reached saturation. Gamers knew, or assumed they knew, what to anticipate, and which will nonetheless be true. It’s also potential, nonetheless, that avid gamers who grew up on GTA clones would possibly simply be hungry for a contemporary tackle the idea.

If Saints Row equally desires to develop up, shedding a few of its crasser qualities within the course of, that’s an admirable endeavor. However juvenile charm is still charm, and it have to be changed by one thing equally compelling. “GTA with Higher Graphics,” or “GTA however Humorous,” gained’t lower it as a result of GTA is already humorous. Subsequent-gen console ports of GTA are quick approaching, and the sport already seems to be nice on PC. What Saints Row wants to take care of, no matter what it adjustments into, is taste. Grand Theft Auto is just not drab, conservative, or humorless, however it’s a longtime model. Consequently, it’s more durable for Rockstar to take the form of radical and trangressive dangers that Deep Silver Volition can take with the brand new Saints Row.

Luckily, that particular character will be achieved in plenty of methods. Hopefully the sport won’t abandon its penchant for surreal, stunt-like mini-games, and the builders may have an arsenal full of fan-favorite weapons seasoned with just a few oddballs. The weapons do not should be as cartoony as The Third’s Mollusk Launcher, however they do have to really feel distinctively Saints Row. It have to be stated, the brand new Saints Row seems to be brimming with character, which was finally what allowed The Third to step outdoors GTA’s shadow. Generally, character is all it takes to make a well-recognized expertise really feel contemporary once more.

Saints Row is coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Collection X/S on February 25, 2022.

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