Saints Row IV | Xbox 360

About the Game

After the happenings of Saints Row: The Third , the Saints gang extended their reach and the protagonist became the President of the USA. Unfortunately during a press conference, disaster happens: aliens attack the White House, kidnap the Saints and trap each in their personal, indefinitely looping nightmare. The majority of the game it spent in an open world simulation of Steelport, the location of Saints Row: The Third . There is an extensive character creation which allows to tune every aspect of the protagonist's look and the choice between seven voices (three male, three female and Nolan North ).

Story & Setting

The twist of this game is that the protagonist receives super powers within the simulation, e.g. super jump, fast running or telekinesis, which help with moving fast and killing aliens which replace cops as law enforcement. While those mini games were an essential part of the main mission line in previous Saints Row games, this time they are only required for the team members' side quests. To save them, the protagonist visits the ship a few times during the main storyline without having superpowers available - but sometimes a mech instead. The mobile phone is used to requesting unlocked cars and unlocked homie helpers (the main crew receives super powers when finishing their side quests), looking on the map or playing licensed music in the background.

Gameplay & Core Systems

Those powers make driving practically unnecessary, but players may still hijack and use cars. Third-person fights with melee and ranged weapons still play an important role. Then the game switches to the mini game and after completing it, players are rated with either bronze, silver or gold medal depending on the performance. For example, there is a race in which players need to solve a running course as fast as possible and another one requires to jump precisely on platforms. The main storyline features varied missions which mostly involve moving to a point and killing everything in sight, but also various sequences parodying other genres like side-scrolling brawlers or top-down shooters.

Standout Features

• There is an extensive character creation which allows to tune every aspect of the protagonist's look and the choice between seven voices (three male, three female and Nolan North ).
• Third-person fights with melee and ranged weapons still play an important role.
• Like all Saints Row games, it features various side activities which can be activated in certain points of the game world.
• Then the game switches to the mini game and after completing it, players are rated with either bronze, silver or gold medal depending on the performance.
• While some of the games are known from the predecessors, e.g. fraud or tank mayhem, the majority are new and are designed around the superpowers.
• The main storyline features varied missions which mostly involve moving to a point and killing everything in sight, but also various sequences parodying other genres like side-scrolling brawlers or top-down shooters.
• Otherwise, the real world only plays a minor role: the simulation can be exited to walk around the ship and talk to the team members.
• Progressing in the game gives rewards: experience points (used to unlock personal upgrades like better damage resistance or more damage with certain weapons) and cache (used to purchase weapons, ammo and weapon upgrades) is rewarded for all actions in the game, but of course finishing missions and activities is most profitable.

Modes & Ways to Play

Multiplayer is either playing co-op during the campaign (the second player basically replaces the homie) or starting one of two competitive activities.

Player support includes Internet, Co-Op, Free-for-all / One-on-one (VS), and 2 Players.

Presentation & Atmosphere

Like all Saints Row games, it features various side activities which can be activated in certain points of the game world. Otherwise, the real world only plays a minor role: the simulation can be exited to walk around the ship and talk to the team members. The mobile phone is used to requesting unlocked cars and unlocked homie helpers (the main crew receives super powers when finishing their side quests), looking on the map or playing licensed music in the background.

Audio support includes Dolby Digital.