Saints Row reset is a willing dice roll

Made official at Gamescom Opening Night Live, Volition is rebooting the Saints Row franchise. And because this is a new starting point for the series, the developer has dropped their numbering scheme and instead just calls this new entry Saints Row. We got a chance to see what the future of The Saints looks like at a preview event last week.

The will has taken The Saints almost everywhere. From a small-time gang in Stilwater to a public-facing crime family that takes over Steelport and runs the United States of America before inhabiting a simulation of Earth and venturing out into the galaxy after the planet explodes. Even heaven and hell could not escape the influence of Johnny Gat and his compatriots. The will had carried the previous saints as far as they could. It was time for a new group of saints to come to power.

Four young delinquents form the core of this new version of The Saints. Once again known as The Boss, your custom character is joined by Eli, the planner; Neenah, the driver; and Kevin, the thrill seeker. Each chose to free themselves from the personal problems that have stifled them or put them in a position where they decide to take fate into their own hands and create a criminal empire, all while having fun, of course. When asked if any former Saints members would show up, Volition told us not to expect any connection to them outside of the little Easter eggs.

The studio set out to bring Saints Row back to the contemporary crime genre in which it grew up and thrived. The team wanted to create modern, relatable characters who face obstacles similar to today’s young adults, such as overwhelming student loan debt or being denied work in their desired field. Each character has their reason for joining The Saints, and you will learn everything about them throughout the game. Though rooted in the character’s motivations in the realities of modern existence, Saints Row will remain a lighthearted adventure filled with the show’s signature humor.

His playing field is Santo Ileso, a fictional amalgamation of the American Southwest, and the setting where The Saints seek to find fortune and infamy. Volition described it to us as “the strange west.” It has everything you would expect to see when looking at photographs of areas in Nevada. One area will be filled with bright lights and casinos, while another is an upscale area filled with chic shopping attractions and spas for the wealthy to enjoy. Expect to see tons of iconic images like color-lit Las Vegas streets, giant cowboy boots, cliffs, tables, and lots of cacti. Volition wants to create a diverse playing field for players to explore, whether it’s in the desert or by jumping off a tall building and flying in a wingsuit.

Within these districts, The Saints engage in turf wars with rival gangs, engage in classic scams like the return of the Insurance Fraud minigame. Players can set up criminal companies around the city; Volition is introducing a new activity with Saints Row that allows it to create a legitimate-looking business front for more murky purposes. These businesses generate new missions and play opportunities while allowing players to make their Saints Unharmed different from anyone else’s. Of course, there are plenty of weapons and other wacky weapons, but we still didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

Driving is a review. A new driving model focuses on automobile combat in which the vehicle itself is a weapon rather than firing weapons out the window. The team released movies like Baby driver, Hobbs and Shaw, and John wick as inspiration for the kind of action you’re looking for with this new version of Saints Row.

Two players can team up for the entire game in an untethered online cooperative experience. The two of you can explore the world at your leisure or take part in story missions together. According to Volition, everything can be completed together. The development team also mentioned being able to joke around with each other, though how it will play out remains to be seen. Adding more fun activities to do with friends is always a plus in my book.

Saints Row will bring its rebooted criminal hijinx brand to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X / S in 2022. Head to the news hub for more important announcements and reveals from Gamescom and Opening Night Live!