The later games in the Saints Row franchise have unfortunately become known in the gaming community as examples of a series of bad sequels. This is why developer Volition’s move to completely refresh the franchise with a reboot is exciting for both old and new fans.
After a thrilling trailer revealed during Gamescom and a Q&A with the developers, players have a better idea of what to expect from the upcoming game. From the identity of the new Boss to details about the warring factions, there are a ton of things to be excited about in the new Saints Row title.
It’s a Complete Reboot
Without a doubt, Saints Row was among the most anticipated games announced during Gamescom and the developers did not disappoint. They gave fans a flashy trailer that revealed several new things about the upcoming release, including crucial details about its story and gameplay.
With the new characters, plot, and setting, it does seem like it will be a complete departure from the polarizing older games in the franchise. Since the latter games caused the series to go downhill because of their over-the-top plots and ridiculous designs, it’s refreshing to see that the reboot seems more grounded and attuned to modern gameplay and aesthetics that fans know and love.
A New Cast Of Characters
If there’s one thing some fans are not too happy about with the reboot, it’s the fact that none of the iconic characters from previous games will be there. Players who have been waiting years to find out what happened to Johnny Gat and Kinzie Kensington will, unfortunately, have to deal with the fact that they’ll likely never know.
That said, the new cast of characters is a fascinating team of young and talented individuals who want to make a name for themselves in Santo Ileso. There’s the protagonist, simply known as the Boss, Eli who is the smart one, Kevin the DJ, and Neenah the mechanic. It’ll be interesting to see how they work together to establish their criminal empire.
It’s A Story About A Criminal Empire
As Saints Row veers away from its more ridiculous plot lines, it looks like there will be more of a focus in turning it into a story-driven video game. The narrative takes place in a city full of gangs vying for power and wealth and characters like Neenah and Kevin are tired of struggling to pay off their student loans.
The main characters agree to combine their skills and establish “The Saints,” a new criminal empire that will dominate the city. They no longer want to be pushed around by the factions they were once part of and will work together to bring those groups down.
The Three Factions
The trailer for the reboot gave fans a pretty good idea of what they’ll go up against in Santo Ileso. There are three main factions that have control over the districts in the city – the Marshalls, Idols, and Los Panteros.
The Marshalls are a group under a private military company that uses advanced technology to spread violence and fear. The Idols are a group of anarchists with a taste for destruction and fame, often doing whatever they can to get people’s attention. Finally, there are the gangsters from the Los Panteros, who have been in the city the longest and have deep ties with the underground network, often using direct melee attacks and traditional weapons.
It’s Set In Santo Ileso
The new cast, warring factions, and narratives are all set in the city of Santo Ileso, which is somewhere in the American southwest. So far, it looks like a visually stunning video game city players can live in, if only it was a little bit safer.
Santo Ileso has nine districts, all of which are distinctly separate from each other. Whether it’s a change in the environment or the gang that controls it, players can expect a slightly different experience as they travel from one district to another.
There Are New Traversal Options
Since there are several districts with their own unique environments, the developers have promised different ways of traversing these locations. This can be done with new tools like the Wingsuit shown in the trailer or with highly customizable cars.
The traversal options will depend on which district players find themselves in. For instance, the commercial district in the heart of the city will encourage more verticality because of its skyscrapers. On the other hand, the desert-like district on the outskirts of the city will require a different kind of traversal mechanic to help players get through its sandy and barren terrain.
There Will Be Co-op
Despite the franchise’s many flaws, one thing it’s known to do well is its co-op mechanics. Its wacky sandbox world is truly a thrilling setting that makes the games ideal for co-op. Thankfully, the developers have confirmed that there will be a co-op mode in the reboot, which will allow up to three players to enjoy the game at the same time.
Players can join and leave at any time without disrupting the game, making it an unrestrictive experience. The best part is that it’s also cross-generational, which means that fans playing the game on their PlayStation can invite Xbox users to team up with them.
There’s A Set Release Date
Fans have to wait a bit longer for the Saints Row reboot, as it’s set to be released on February 25, 2022. It will be available for older consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One, as well as current platforms like the PS5, Xbox Series X and S, and of course, PC.
The game is already available for pre-order for all platforms. Players can choose from the Standard, Criminal, Notorious, Gold, and Platinum editions. The most expensive edition, Platinum, includes all the perks of the other versions as well as a copy of Saints Row The Third Remastered.
