The extensive range of character customization options in the next Saints Row have been revealed in a new preview for the game, showing off the many possible ways the player can craft their version of The Boss, their vehicles, weapons, gang members, and even their headquarters. The Saints Row series has always featured character customization, and the latest entry in the series promises to expand the player’s choices to a degree not seen before in the franchise.
The next Saints Row game is a reboot for the series, which brings it back to its gangster roots, after the last entries in the series ventured into virtual reality, an alien invasion, and a trip to Hell. The game is set in the city of Santo Ileso, which is controlled by three warring factions. The player creates their main character, known as The Boss, as they become the leader of the Saints and attempt to become the ruling crime family of Santo Ileso.
Saints Row developer Volition has revealed the character customization options in the game in a new preview trailer. The Boss’ design has eight different presents to choose from, just in case the player wants to quickly jump into the game and doesn’t care too much how about they look. Those players would be missing out on the absolute ton of options available for their character, however. The Boss’ appearance in Saints Row can be totally customized, from their muscle mass, skin tone and texture, different patterns for their eyes, lots of scars and tattoos that can be placed all over the body, different makeup patterns that can even be placed on half of the face, prosthetic limbs, swappable male and female body features, and eight different voice options. This is before considering the numerous hairstyles, hats, glasses, and clothing, which can further define the look of the player. There are a number of emotes in the game that can even change the character’s walk cycle. The developers revealed that none of Saints Row‘s customization choices in the game are gender-specific, so players can dress or shape their character in any way they want.
The Saints Row series is all about taking cars and altering them to the player’s liking and, like the character creator, each of the vehicles has a preset which can be modified. Almost every aspect of the vehicles can be altered, from their color scheme, tires, hood ornaments, and even the horn. There are also lots of options for customizing the wheels and hubcaps. Not all the vehicles in the game have wheels, however, as the player has access to boats, planes, and even hoverboards, which can also be customized.
The vehicles in the game can be upgraded, which includes giving them signature abilities. Saints Row has toilet wrecking balls that can be attached to the back of cars in order to strike pursuers. Upgrade options also include also nitrous, an off-road kit, a towing cable for snatching other vehicles, crab turning, an ejector seat, kneecappers (blades attached to the wheels for slicing enemy tires), and even an infinite boost. There are some signature abilities that will also be unlocked as part of the story.
Customization options in Saints Row also extend to the weapons. Players can change the color of any part of their guns, with decals available for specific patterns. It’s also possible to completely change the appearance of a weapon, such as making a rocket launcher look like a guitar case, or an assault rifle look like an umbrella. There are also gimmick weapons with unique attributes, such as guns that fire boxing gloves on a spring, or foam hand cannons that can mow down enemies with bullets.
The Saints have their own headquarters in Santo Ileso, which contains the armory and a location for the player to change their character’s appearance. The player can even store sets here for different looks. There is also a garage in the headquarters, but the player will need to purchase upgrades and options from places in Santo Ileso before they can be used. The headquarters can also be customized, with the player able to place furnishings, such as statues for the foyer. The Saints themselves can also be customized here, with the player able to set the dress code for the gang members and their vehicles, so they can show up in style whenever The Boss needs backup.
There is more to the Saint’s headquarters than just customization. The second floor of the headquarters has a war map, which lists all of Saints Rows‘ criminal ventures that the Saints can take part in. The player can use the map to buy new properties, which will earn passive income for the player each hour, as well as individual rewards, such as new gear for the crew. There are fourteen different locations where the player can choose the kind of property they want to build, and reap their individual benefits. This offers the chance to shape Saint Ileso as any given person sees fit, so long as they are willing to fight. The player won’t have access to everything straight away, as they are starting the Saints from the ground up. As such, they’ll need to visit stores in Santo Ileso in order to purchase gear for their gang, which includes familiar chains from the series, such as Leather & Lace, as well as some brand new ones.
Saints Row is launching on August 23, but there will be a chance to dabble in the game before then, as there will be a tool available that will let players create their boss ahead of time and import them into the game. The customization options in Saints Row are staggering and there’s really no excuse to go the Baldur’s Gate 3 boring character design route.
Saint’s Row will be released for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on August 23, 2022.
