Saints Row IV is the fourth in the Saints Row series of open world action-adventure games. Just like in the previous titles in the series, the player controls the leader of the Third Street Saints, who has now become the President of the United States of America. The game takes you back to the fictional city of Steelport from the third game and places you five years after the events of that game, focusing on the Saints’s battle against their old enemies – and an alien invasion.
The Saints Row series has always been compared to the Grand Theft Auto series, or at least referred to as its “redheaded stepchild”. And rightly so, as the same basic principles apply: open world, gang related, guns, NC-17, and driving around beating up hookers. But where GTA likes to stay somewhat in a real world environment as far as stories and situations go, The Saints do not. They take what makes GTA work, then wrap it up in a bunch of crazy ideas and throw it at the wall to see what sticks.
Saints Row: The Third is where the insanity really started. The games have always been a little crazy, but compared to parts one and two, parts three and four are two totally different beasts. I think that’s what they had to do to compete with the massively successful GTA series. Whereas GTA focuses on one to two characters for you to play, Saints allows you to create your own character. Their character creation is some of the best ever seen. The creation is basically the same from part three, with a few new added hairstyles, body types, etc. Nothing major, but the graphics have been greatly improved and look awesome. And yes, you can still give yourself the biggest privates you want, male or female.
Same goes for shopping for new clothes. Most of the outfits are from part three with some new things added here and there. But you are able to mix and match, changes colors, and even cross-dress if you choose to, giving way to endless options. Certain stores have special items, like the comic book shops that give superhero inspired costumes, or the S&M store for all your leather needs. The game really has many things to choose from, so you never get bored.
The game play stays pretty much the same from part three in movement, flying, and driving. They made it easier to get to your weapons this time around, which makes combat so much easier to switch between each in a single combat situation. Same with your superpowers, yes, you get superpowers in this one. The main story takes place in a Matrix-computer-type virtual reality where anything goes. Within the system you have your choice of many superpowers to play with: Ice, fire, super speed, telekinesis, electricity, etc. All are fun to use and each do their own thing when used with your gun.
You could find some of the combat and missions repetitive, as it’s always the same thing: travel to the area, fight the aliens, or blow something up. But that’s where the games many fun options come into play. You don’t have to fight the same way every time. With all the science fiction weapons and superpowers, each fight can be all-new. It really just depends on you as the player. To keep it fresh, change your costume a lot, mix up the guns and power usage, learn new ways to use your powers, or combine everything to make yourself the most awesome super powered crazy player ever.
Because of the virtual world you’re fighting in, the guns don’t have to be based in reality. You have your basic shotgun, pistol, and machine gun, which you can now customize to your needs: change the color, make them old western guns, or even make your gun an object. Also added to the weapons choices are The Dubstep Gun, a Black Hole Gun (which is awesome), The Inflato Ray, and even an Anal Probe weapon. If you pre-ordered the game, you get a code for the ’Merica Gun, which is a flamethrower, mini-gun, and rocket launcher, all in one. The gun even plays Stars and Strips as it shoots off fireworks. Yeah, that’s the type of crazy you’re getting into.
The voice talent in the game is top notch and filled with fun recognizable actors from the gaming world: Troy Baker, Nolan North, Yuri Lowenthal, and even some great voices from the movie world too: Daniel Dae Kim, Terry Crews, Neil Patrick Harris, and Keith David, who plays himself, which is the coolest thing ever, giving you jokes and parodies of his films. There’s even some voice surprises, which I won’t spoil here as you deserve the shock and happy vibes you’ll experience.
The open world in the game is the same map as part three, but slightly bigger and easier to maneuver in. The superpowers add so much to the game and cut travel time by half. Where in the last few games you’d have to drive everywhere, here you can just super-speed or fly if you don’t like driving. It’s quicker and so much more fun. But if you feel like driving, they give you many more car options than ever before. Once again you can upgrade, change color, or modify the car to how you want to roll. Because of the virtual environment, you now have the choice of having Tron looking cars or bikes. Having a Tron bike and driving through Steelport at night is really cool looking, you should totally do it! Your 10-year-old self will be so happy.
Overall this game is great! If you liked part three, then you’re going to love this. It takes all the good stuff from that and adds about 150% more crazy. As always the game is balls to the walls insane with its super violence mixed with hilarious bad language and lots of nudity. The game works for its Mature rating, and rightly so. All that adds to why the Saints Row games stay unique in a world all their own.