How Saints Row Fumbled Its Shot at Rivalling GTA

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Saints Row once had all the pieces in place to stand tall next to GTA.

In fact, it almost gave GTA a run for its money, but almost is the keyword here.

Initially, it showed promise, clarity, and a distinct style, but unfortunately, it strayed from its course. Creativity wasn’t in short supply for the series; rather, it ventured too far from the elements that defined its identity.

The roots of everything can be traced back to 2006, when the initial Saints Row was launched on Xbox 360, offering a gritty crime-filled sandbox environment. It may not have been associated with GTA, but it still managed to attract fans with its robust mechanics, character customization options, and urban combat features.

This game had a gritty, real-world vibe that some compared to Grand Theft Auto, but it delved more profoundly into the complexities of urban gangs and provided a more engrossing experience for players when it came to involvement in the storyline than Rockstar managed to achieve.

Many enthusiasts continue to consider Saints Row 2 as the pinnacle of the series. The metropolis of Stilwater expanded, game mechanics improved, and humor, sentiment, and turmoil were skillfully blended. The narrative was both emotional and satirical, brutal yet significant.

With Saints Row: The Third, the transition commenced. This game fully embraced the ridiculousness, allowing players to lead a gang that had grown into a worldwide phenomenon. Instead of focusing on nuanced narratives, the plot emphasized extravagance over intricacy.

In the realm of urban conflicts and power games, we found ourselves amidst oversized sex toys (including a bat-shaped dildo), wrestling gangs resembling luchadors, and bizarre robberies that made little sense.

Or, more casually:

Street fights and power struggles morphed into a universe of giant sex toys (yep, even a dildo bat), masked wrestler gangs, and nonsensical heist plots.

While some enthusiasts admired the shift, others pointed out a sense of drift from the original essence. The absence of Stilwater’s character was keenly felt in Steelport, as the narrative sometimes seemed more like a series of jokes or internet references instead of a cohesive plotline.

In a significant shift, Saints Row IV marked a pivotal moment where the traditional reality took a backseat. The protagonist found themselves catapulted into an extraordinary digital realm brimming with aliens, supernatural abilities, and numerous pop culture allusions. While it had its hilarious instances, it was noticeably different from the earlier iterations of Saints Row.

The change was drastic, shifting towards a style that seemed to distance those seeking a deeper, character-driven narrative. By the time Gat Out of Hell was released, it was clear the series had transformed into an exaggerated caricature of its former self.

Following a significant break, the revival arrived in 2022, vowing to return Saints Row to its fundamental roots. However, instead of returning to fundamentals, it seemed more like an aimless attempt.

1. The fresh cast failed to impress, the overall mood lacked clarity, and the setting seemed repetitive. The narrative didn’t strike a chord as strongly as expected, while the game mechanics, though well-crafted, felt dated compared to their technical quality.

2. The new lineup fell flat, the atmosphere was confusing, and the cityscape lacked originality. The storyline didn’t resonate as deeply as hoped, and the gameplay, although polished, seemed outdated in comparison to its technical finesse.

3. The newly introduced cast failed to captivate, the overall tone was unclear, and the urban landscape appeared ordinary. The writing didn’t strike a personal note, and the gameplay, despite being technically refined, felt outmoded compared to its technical proficiency.

4. The new actors struggled, the general mood was hazy, and the cityscape lacked novelty. The script didn’t leave a lasting impression, and the gameplay, though well-designed, seemed old-fashioned compared to its technical precision.

As a gamer, I wasn’t seeking an exact replica of past games, but something that retained the essence – the raw, gritty gang conflicts, deep-rooted character dynamics, and missions that felt genuinely rewarding to achieve.

Instead of maintaining its original style, the reboot opted for a more fashion-forward approach aimed at contemporary fans, but this decision proved detrimental. The sales figures were underwhelming, the reviews were average at best, and the criticism was overwhelming and unmistakable.

As a devoted fan, I can’t hide my dismay at the underwhelming finale they delivered. Little did I know that August 2023 would bring the heartbreaking news – Embracer Group was shutting down Volition, the studio that had breathed life into this cherished series for almost two decades.

Following numerous, fruitless efforts at transformation, the studio met its closure during a company-wide reorganization that eliminated positions for hundreds of employees within Embracer Group.

Several former developers came together to form a new studio called Shapeshifter Games.

Instead of working on Saints Row, the studio has shifted focus to contributing to large-scale AAA productions. One of their initial collaborations is Clockwork Revolution, an RPG set in a steampunk universe, which is being developed by inXile Entertainment.

At this point, there’s no clear announcement if Shapeshifter will bring back the Saints Row series or create a new game with similar themes and qualities.

However, since Embracer Group holds the rights, it’s rather uncommon for a new game to emerge from other studios; an internal shift might be necessary for that to happen.

If it had been developed further with improved foundations, advanced gameplay mechanics, potentially multiplayer functionality or modding options, it might have thrived and achieved success.

At the end of the day, Saints Row didn’t go under for copying GTA too much.

It fell apart when it tried to escape what made it different.

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2025-03-26 08:12