• Review: Saints Row: The Third

    by
    Jason Arriola
    Published on 01-24-2012 04:31 PM
    2 Comments Comments


    Saints Row: The Third

    Developer: Volition, Inc.
    Publisher: THQ
    Platforms: XBOX 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows
    Genre: Open World, Action-Adventure
    Rating: Mature
    Release Date: November 15, 2011

    The next entry in the Saints Row series is brought to you courtesy of Volition. Saints Row: The Third is, without a doubt, one of the most outrageously feel good open world games to grace home consoles in a good while. This is what sets Saints Row: The Third apart from other typical urban warfare games. “Strap it on” and let’s get on with the review.

    Presentation
    After the events of Saints Row 2, the 3rd Row Saints gang has turned into a renowned sensation. They’ve entered into the economic fray by slapping their name on all kinds of products, from energy drinks to brand name clothing and apparel. Despite their wrongdoings, they’ve even formed a local fan base where they don’t mind going out of their way to pose for a picture with the fans. All is well for the Saints, right? One would think so. The Saints launch an attempt to rob a bank, but when push comes to shove they go straight for the kill by hijacking the bank’s vault. Unfortunately their ill fated attempts lands them in jail, but the another criminal organization called The Syndicate bribe the police into letting the Saints go free.

    Syndicate thugs escort the Saints onboard Phillipe Loren’s, the leader of the Syndicate, private jet. Loren despises the Saints, but he offers them a deal: avoid death by handing over a third of the Saints revenue. Of course, the Saints don’t go down without a fight. They reject Loren’s offer and a gun fight breaks out onboard the jet. Soon enough the jet fails to remain airborne, and after a surprising display of midair “acrobatics” some of the Saints are able to land safely within the city of Steelport, presently controlled by the Syndicate. With a new city to takeover and an image to reestablish, the Saints waste no time in getting their name out there, preparing to get even. Yet more rival gangs have the same plan as the Saints, so it’s up to them to make friends in low places to restore their former glory.

    Graphics
    Steelport is a vast city. It’s a spectacle to behold either during the day or during the night, but more so during the night. Neon lights capture the advertisements of the Saints, along with other gangs, cribs, shops, and venues are all decked out to invite the player to stay awhile longer. There’s some minor texture pop in, but it pales in comparison when you’re driving through the streets of Steelport gazing at the skyscrapers in the distance. The characters may not look as detailed as other games in the genre, but Saints Row 3 knows how to use color and they do an even better job of bringing variety to the members of the gangs. There are many types of characters, so it’s great that we don’t get NPCs that share similar skins.

    Sound/Music
    One of the greatest features of the game is that it comes with its own licensed soundtrack. This is experienced through the in-game radio while cruising around in your pimped out car. The radio can be tuned to a variety of “stations”, but you’re really changing the genre of music you listen to. Genres include rap, hip-hop, emo, metal, and even classical music. You can even choose to make your own playlist for those long drives from one area to the next.

    Additionally the in-game dialogue is presented spot on. I’m sure many who play the game may tell you that their favorite outspoken character in the game is Zimos, the pimp who relies on an electric voice box to speak because of an over indulgence in smoking that ravaged his vocal chords. Even Burt Reynolds plays himself as Steelport’s mayor. The supporting cast does great work. There’s little or no disappointment with the game’s characters.

    Gameplay
    As you would expect with an open world game, once you get control of your character you can go around the town by hijacking cars, bikes, scooters, fire trucks, ambulances, cement trucks, and even street sweepers and open fire or get up close and personal with unsuspecting foes. See a rival gang hanging out in the street? Start a fight with them if you want. From the get go, there’s loads to do besides delving right into the game’s plot.

    First things first. You can customize your own character to your liking. Adjust things such as body features, clothing, attitude, the vehicles you drive and more. You can even adjust the size of your girth or rack. Even that manages to score a few lighthearted laughs. When you’re satisfied with your own unique Saint, Steelport is yours for the taking.

    Everything you need in the game from missions, upgrades, extras, vehicles, and more can be selected by using the in-game cell phone. One of your goals in the game is to claim Steelport for the Saints. This is accomplished by accepting and completing missions, assassinations, vehicle thefts, escorts, and even participating in hilarious game shows. Upon completion of these activities you are awarded either or both money and respect. Money is spent in-game to unlock a variety of content such as weapon upgrades, purchasing property for the Saints to increase your financial income by the hour, modify your vehicle, hire fellow Saints to tour the city with you at your side, purchase cribs, clothing, and much more. Respect represents the fame that the Saints have garnered from the citizens of Steelport. There are numerous districts within the city and the more respect earned tips the scale away from rival gangs and into the Saints’ favor.

    Saints Row: The Third pays homage to gaming and pop culture in a variety of parodies that players can take a part of. In one instance you can participate in a race in a virtual reality world with glowing bikes… Tron anyone? In an equally hilarious moment you can babysit a full grown tiger by having it ride in the back seat of your car, where driving in an incorrect way will have the tiger slash at you with its claws. You can be cheap by earning money through insurance fraud, throwing yourself into oncoming traffic or launching yourself by crashing your car… either of these previous two examples makes you think that this would be something the cast of Jackass would do to some extent. Saints Row: The Third just doesn’t stop giving you a good time or stop the laughs from coming. I haven’t even mentioned that you can beat the pulp out of a harmless granny or a creepy furry by slapping them in the face with a purple phallus.

    Lasting Appeal
    The amount of things you can do besides the main story of the game speaks for itself. You’ll no doubt find yourself investing hours raising money and respect… get this… just for playing the game. Blow up cars, buildings, and people in a tank. Start an all out war in the streets with other gangs while your homies ride in to back you up. Run around the city streets in the nude, where any attention you get raises your popularity, provided that the cops don’t spoil your fun. Start a car chase with the police while blasting out the classical compositions of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as you speed down the highway… can you see how wonderfully random, yet awesome this game can be?

    Do you have a friend that also has the game? Get their attention and have them take the game online with you or by system link to get yourselves in trouble around the town. The city of Steelport is one huge carnival that’s begging to be explored and exploited.

    Conclusion
    Saints Row: The Third has changed the Saints Row formula. Some even think that the new direction the game has gone is not true, nor faithful to the games that came before. Well change isn’t always a bad thing or good thing. Saints Row: The Third is one of those games that changed for the better. That’s if idiotic behavior and ridiculous paraphernalia is something that you like in a mature video game. I find humor to be especially funny when it’s as random as can be. Saints Row: The Third had me thinking: “What the heck just happened?!” and got me throwing in many, many LOLs and LMAOROFLs. If you’re into the open world genre, or need something besides those A-list video games, you definitely should strap on Saints Row: The Third.

    Score:
    9.0/10

    Comments 2 Comments
    1. Gusto's Avatar
      Gusto - 01-24-2012
      I absolutely loved this game! You are so right with everything you said about it. I love the soundtrack, characters, and humor this game has. Like Judecca said, you'll love it unless you're an uptight prick. My GOTY picks were Portal 2 and Saints Row the 3rd. I don't think we'll ever see another game like this. Rockstar take notes on this baby.

      I think that before this game was made, THQ knew that this would be their last year and wanted to really go out with a bang.
    1. Emily "Darkcamllama" Hatcher's Avatar
      Emily "Darkcamllama" Hatcher - 01-25-2012
      I just started playing it (had to wait for my brother to finish). I must say...its one of the most enjoyable games I've played in a while. I roll deep with my gimps and ninjas. Because that's what this game is all about. My biggest regret is not getting my hands on it sooner. I dont think a game has made me laugh so much in a while, and when my character and another start singing Sublime when I do...my heart is filled with glee.

  • Review Scale

    Score 10- Flawless Victory: A score not handed out to every game. Games earning this rare score sit at the very pinnacle of excellence. These games act as the examples for which all others should be measured with. They are instant classics from the beginning. These games not only deliver what was expected of it, but also exceed the player’s expectations. The game’s features are innovative and original. No game is without its absolute flaws, but the finished product you bring home surpasses the anticipation the game has formed. A day one buy is a must. The game you hold in your hands with this score is a video game jackpot.

    Score 9 - 9.5- Outstanding: Games earning scores such as these absolutely must be played. Games that achieve this high ranking do so because they define the genres that they are in. Flaws are few and barely noticeable. Features seen in the game have been renovated to provide something new and fresh. The story, gameplay, graphics, and lasting appeal are all fantastic and is reason enough to bring the game home and to enjoy with family and friends. Every penny you spend on the game is so worth it.

    Score 8 - 8.5- Great: Any flaw the game may possess is overshadowed by its fun factor. These games would be great for gamers to play. These great games appeal to gamers more and more outside its normal player base because of what it brings to the table.

    Score 7 - 7.5- Good: Flaws do exist in these games, but the positive features of the game can counterbalance the flaws. Additionally, players who are predisposed to liking a game of a particular series or genre with this score should enjoy the game. These are in no way bad games, and much fun can be had with them. An overall good game is worth taking a look at, whether you are willing to buy the game or rent it first. That or you can also wait for the game to reach a good price.

    Score 6 - 6.5- Decent: Games falling into this category may suffer from numerous flaws (for example, graphics or gameplay), but are still worth playing. Granted, the player should be aware that a game with these scores may not guarantee them full satisfaction.

    Score 5 - 5.5- Average: An average game is one in which a game’s features are neither good nor completely terrible. Instead, the finished product is manageable. Little has been done to hold the player’s interest. If anything, rent this game before you consider buying it so that you can at least get a feel for the game’s overall experience.

    Score 4 - 4.5- Poor: Games falling into this category may only keep gamers entertained for a short while. While the game may seem enjoyable for moments at a time, it can quickly grow old and may never be revisited again. The game’s overall function is lacking in quality and may not hold the player’s attention for long. The game leaves little or nothing else to return back to.

    Score 3 - 3.5- Bad: If any positive qualities about a game in this category exist, it is not enough to redeem the game for its shortcomings. Sure you may find yourself playing it, but for how long? You will wind up not giving the game a second glance.

    Score 2 - 2.5- Horrible: Games such as these may not be totally unplayable, they nearly are. Additionally, they may lack, or greatly suffer in, the fundamental functionality of the software as a whole. The game simply does not come close to meeting industry standards at the time of its release.

    Score 1 - 1.5- Appalling: Gamers should avoid this game at all costs. The game was clearly not ready to make its way to store shelves in its status. Save your money and find something else. See it in the bargain bin? No! Stay away! Keep moving and look for something else.