Status:
No Manual
Playtested
Saints Row IV (PS3) Review
Released: 2013
Developer: Volition
Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Saints Row IV takes the insanity of the Saints Row series to unprecedented levels. After the events of Saints Row: The Third, the Third Street Saints have become a world-dominating superpower, with their leader (the players character) elected as the President of the United States. But things take a wild turn when an alien invasion occurs, and the player is thrust into a virtual world, facing off against a powerful alien overlord. This game mixes over-the-top humor, superhero-style powers, and chaotic gameplay to create an experience thats both hilarious and thrilling.
What Works
Over-the-Top Action and Humor
- Saints Row IV leans heavily into its absurdity, with the player character gaining superpowers like super speed, telekinesis, and jumping across skyscrapers.
- The dialogue, characters, and missions are often hysterical, full of references to pop culture and self-aware humor.
- The game revels in its ridiculousness, whether its driving cars with guns, battling aliens with a fistful of power-ups, or diving into hilarious side activities.
Superpowers Make Gameplay Feel Fresh
- The superpower mechanic completely changes the gameplay, offering unlimited freedom in how you approach missions.
- Running at super speed and leaping high into the air makes traveling around the map a blast.
- The telekinesis ability adds a unique layer of strategy and fun, as you can pick up enemies or objects and throw them across the map.
Rich Open-World Design
- The open-world city (which is a simulation inside the alien-controlled simulation) offers plenty of things to do.
- There are numerous side activities, ranging from hacking into systems to destroying alien-controlled territories.
- Customization options for the player character and vehicles are vast, allowing for a wide range of silly outfits and transformations.
Fun and Ridiculous Missions
- The main story missions are action-packed and varied, ranging from classic shootouts to janky racing segments and even virtual mini-games.
- A mission where you blast through a virtual reality simulation with a rock n roll soundtrack feels like a love letter to video games.
Co-op Multiplayer
- The co-op multiplayer mode allows friends to join in on the insanity, offering an excellent way to experience the game together. You can both wreak havoc in the same world, taking on missions, or just causing chaos.
What Doesnt Work
Repetitive Missions and Gameplay
- While the game is fun in short bursts, some missions and activities can feel repetitive after a while.
- The enemy AI is often predictable, leading to fights that feel a little too easy, especially when you have superpowers at your disposal.
Graphics and Visuals Arent Cutting Edge
- Although the games open world is well-designed, the graphics arent as polished as some other PS3 titles of the time.
- Textures can feel a bit blurry, and some character models and animations seem dated.
Story Is Weak Compared to Previous Entries
- The story of Saints Row IV is a bit secondary to the gameplay, and it doesnt have the same impact or focus as the previous titles, especially when compared to the epic, grounded narrative of Saints Row: The Third.
- The shift to sci-fi and alien invasions might feel like a departure from what made the series fun and grounded.
Final Verdict
🟢 Final Score: 8.5/10
Saints Row IV is a ridiculous, fun, and action-packed ride that lets players live out their superhero fantasies with a massive open world, superpowers, and plenty of humor. While repetitive gameplay, a weaker story, and dated visuals hold it back from perfection, the sheer fun of causing chaos and playing with superhuman abilities make it a must-play for fans of action games.
Pros:
Hilarious and self-aware humor
Superpowers provide fresh gameplay mechanics
Massive open world filled with side activities
Co-op multiplayer adds replay value
Cons:
Repetitive missions and activities
Weak storyline compared to earlier entries
Graphics feel dated
Recommendation: If youre looking for an over-the-top action game with a huge sense of freedom and humor, Saints Row IV delivers. It may not have the depth of earlier entries, but its a blast to play and worth checking out if you love chaotic, open-world fun.
