Saints Row: The Third

Over-the-top open-world action with outrageous humor and explosive gameplay

Gameplay and Story

Saints Row: The Third plants players in the chaotic metropolis of Steelport as the leader of the now-celebrity Third Street Saints. While traditional open-world crime games often lean into gritty realism, this title is unapologetically over-the-top—delivering wild set pieces, explosive missions, and a playful narrative packed with satirical humor.

The story centers on the Saints defending their turf against rival gangs after a high-profile heist lands them in conflict with the city’s criminal elite and a shadowy organization known as The Syndicate. The campaign never loses momentum, blending outrageous action sequences and witty dialogue with outlandish plot twists. The satirical tone runs through every cutscene and mission, poking fun at pop culture and genre conventions.

Customization and Progression

Players are given an impressive degree of freedom for customization. The character creator is one of the most robust in the genre, allowing nearly every aspect of your leader’s appearance, wardrobe, and voice to be tweaked—often to absurd extremes. Vehicles and gang members can also be tailored to your liking, adding a personal touch to your criminal empire.

Cash and Respect, earned through completing missions, side activities, and causing havoc, unlock a suite of upgrades. These range from new abilities to weapon enhancements and outlandish gadgets like the infamous “Penetrator” bat. There’s a constant sense of reward and progression, reinforcing the game’s playful spirit.

Combat and Driving

Action is the beating heart of Saints Row: The Third. Firefights are fast-paced, arcade-like affairs, with access to a diverse arsenal—standard firearms sit alongside rocket launchers, sonic blast guns, and more experimental tools. There’s no stealth layer here; every encounter is designed for maximum chaos.

Vehicle handling is satisfyingly responsive, and each class of car, bike, or even aircraft offers distinct performance. Drifting through traffic or launching vehicles off ramps is both intuitive and entertaining. The driving system supports custom upgrades, but the true star is how easily players can use vehicles as tools for carnage.

Mission Variety and Modes

Mission design is a highlight, frequently subverting expectations with absurd tasks: robbing banks in mascot costumes, wrestling luchadores, or fending off zombies. Activities scattered across Steelport, such as Professor Genki’s survival game show or insurance fraud, offer chaotic diversions outside the main story.

Beyond single-player, cooperative play lets friends join for the campaign or special co-op missions, amplifying the irreverent fun. There is no traditional versus multiplayer mode, but the included “Whored Mode” challenges players to survive outrageous enemy waves.

Visuals and Performance

While not aiming for realistic visuals, the game boasts a vibrant art style that matches its energetic tone. Character animations and over-the-top effects contribute to the mayhem, though occasional camera issues and control overlap can cause frustration during hectic moments.

Downloadable Content and Replay Value

A broad array of downloadable content extends the campaign with new missions, vehicles, costumes, and weapons, keeping the city feeling fresh long after the main story wraps. The base game’s playful design and depth of customization provide plenty of replayability, encouraging multiple playthroughs with different builds and choices.