Game Mechanics - 2/2
Story-line - 2/2
Graphics - 2/2
Soundtrack - 2/2
Replay Value - 2/2
Total Score - 10/10
Why do you play games? Some people play games for achievements, others for the challenge some play for the storyline, and others for the competition. Me I like to play games mostly for the storyline and overall fun of the game. Saints Row delivers this in unbelievable amounts; strap in for the rollercoaster ride of excitement you have been waiting for. Today we review Saints Row IV in all its unadulterated glory...
Saints Row IV is an action-adventure video game set in an
open world environment. It is developed by Volition, Inc. and published by Deep
Silver after THQ sold the intellectual Property due to bankruptcy. It was released for Microsoft Windows,
PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It is the fourth installment in the Saints Row
series, after the release of Saints Row: The Third in 2011. As other games of the
series, the player controls the leader of the Third Street Saints, who in this
iteration has become the president of the United States. Don’t ask how just
play the game and find out your epic rise or should I say fall (hint hint) into
the most powerful role in the world. Saints Row IV still shares most of its gameplay
aspects with the previous installment, being primarily played from a third
person perspective in an open world map scattered with campaign quests,
secondary objectives, and various collectibles. The player can steal, drive,
purchase and customize vehicles, among other things such as clothing, plastic
surgery, weapons, etc. In an element new to the series, the player can now
purchase and upgrade various "powers" that offer superhuman
abilities.
Key characters from earlier games in the franchise make a return in Saints Row IV. Most of them hold positions of power in your presidential party, from long standing friends to old enemies. My favorite character from the previous game Kinzie Kensington returns as the socially awkward FBI hacker we all know and love to become the White House's press secretary. Often tasked with clearing up the mess left behind by the President's verbal missteps she somehow manages to keep the president and his antics under control. Benjamin King from the original Saints Row, becomes the President's Chief of Staff, while Pierce Washington gets appointed the Communications Director with Shaundi as Director of the Secret Service. Matt Miller, having abandoned the Deckers presumably returned to the United Kingdom and became employed by MI-6. Shortly after the events of Saints Row: The Third, Pierce, Shaundi and the Boss are called upon to assist MI-6 agent Asha Odekar and her contact, former Deckers leader Matt Miller, in infiltrating a Middle Eastern compound to assassinate Cyrus Temple, the former leader of STAG who has since gone insane and obsessed with killing the Saints, and plans on destroying Washington D.C. using a nuclear missile.
What’s Good:
Game Mechanics - There is so much to do in this game it is ridiculous. With so much to do and so many varying aspects of game-play to get right in surprised that Volition did such a great job with the game mechanics. From the controls to the interaction to the fluidity of getting around the city of Steelport; it all meshes so seamlessly together. From hacking stores to gain access, to insurance fraud, to clearing flashpoints it all ties together perfectly.
Story-line - Only Saints Row could deliver a story so epic and way out there but still have it make complete and total sense and immensely fun to participate in. Everything in the game is just so overpowered and ridiculously broken and over the top that you almost find yourself having a god complex because you feel so almighty and powerful. At least until you run into other super powered beings as well and quickly realize it's not just fun and mindless destruction. You have to strategize and plan accordingly the best course of progression throughout the storyline and side quests.
Graphics - Everything is a step up from Saints Row 3 graphically. From the weapons and the damage they output to the character model diversity and customization options. They really went all out to make this game surpass its predecessor that was already an awesomely fun game. The most beautiful thing you will ever see in this game is the Dubstep gun and all the chaos that ensues.
Soundtrack - I can't even begin to tell you the diverse soundtrack present on this game. The game has 109 songs spread over 7 radio stations; you can also place your own music to be played in game. GenX 89, KRhyme 95.4, K12 97.6, The Mix 107.77, Mad Decent 106.9, Four 20 103.6, Klassic 102.4, and Mixtape which is a custom playlist you make yourself. Personal favorite of mine is Four 20 103.6.
Replay Value - There is dare I say almost too much content in this game. With not only a huge map to take control of but also co-operative play and upcoming DLC; Saints Row IV is poised to be played by many for quite a while. This game is truly a game you can be in no rush to beat because there's so much to do and have fun with you will not want it to end regardless if you are playing by yourself or with a friend.
What’s Bad:
Nothing; this is the pinnacle of the Saints Row saga in all its epic grandeur.
What Should Have Been Added:
I can comfortably say there is nothing I would add to this game. Solid game length, content, customization options and room for growth with upcoming DLC support.
Final Thoughts:
Everyone should be playing this game; I dare you to spend just an hour playing it and you not enjoy yourself. Granted this game is being touted as a place filler until Grand Theft Auto 5 is released I still maintain that it is just as good and deserves the same if not similar accolades as it's more serious older brother in the genre of open world sandbox games. I know I for one will be playing this long after I beat GTA V. If you can't get to enjoy the wonders of the game for yourself feel free to check out my bit of gameplay with commentary to see how fun it is...
