Guest Post - Saints Row: The Third Review

Guest post by Zalgo Cometh

Gameplay - 10/10

Storyline - 10/10

Graphics - 8/10

Game Score - 28/30

Well another day, another blog post; November has been one busy month, trying to keep up with all these epic games and getting them out there to you guys to decide what you wanna try out. Today we will be taking a look at the somewhat over the top open world action-adventure game Saint's Row: The Third. Saints Row: The Third (also known as Saints Row 3) is an open world action-adventure video game developed by Volition, Inc. and published by THQ. It was released on November 15th, 2011 in Australia and North America, and was released on November 18th, 2011 in Europe for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It is the third title in the Saints Row series after the release of Saints Row 2 in 2008. As in Saints Row 2, the player controls the leader of the Third Street Saints.

So seeing as this is the third installment in the franchise one would imagine there is a bit of a back-story to this game. Having defeated all their rivals in Stilwater at the end of Saints Row 2, the Saints have turned their street gang into a media empire after merging with the Ultor Corporation. They have since become icons across the world, with their own energy drink, a large fanbase, and a movie deal in the works. The game starts off in a bank robbery scenario where we get introduced to some of the major protagonists in the game. When things take a turn for the worst, the cinematic cut-scene ends and the player jumps in to experience the awesomeness that is Saints Row: The Third.

Saints Row: The Third retains the blend of third-person action and driving sequences in open world, urban warfare format that is traditional in the Saints Row series. The player can explore the city of Steelport performing main missions that progress the game's story as well as side missions. The side missions boast a wide variety of missions that will keep even the most determined player busy. Successful completion of missions can earn the player rewards such as money, weapons, cars, and gang respect. The Third uses respect as experience points for their character leveling system which the player can then spend to improve thier overall character playthrough experience. The player can gain various attributes or 'perks' each time the player character is leveled-up. Money can be used to purchase clothing items, weapons and cars, or may be used to upgrade weapons and cars with unique features. Money is of a major importance in this game and can also used to purchase shops and other properties within Steelport. This in turn will become a steady stream of income for the gang over time. In addition to the single-player mode, the game can be played co-operatively with one other player. Previously in Saints Row 2, the second player could participate in all missions and activities, earning credit for their completion. Certain activities provide different rules when a second player is present; for example, in the Tiger Escort activity, the second player will have to control the tiger in the backseat while the first player drives. Due to their focus on the single player and co-operative experience, Volition has removed competitive multiplayer from the title. 

The level of customization in this game is astounding and refreshing, really giving you the feeling of being in an open world environment. I should also make mention of the QTE (Quick Time Events) that occur from time to time coupled with the branching story arcs that take place really provide a high replay-ability factor for this game. I have said so much and so little all at the same time but the above video gives you a pretty solid run through of just how great this game is. It will most definitely fill the void that GTA IV has left us with while tiding us over as well till we get our hands on GTA V. Fun does not even remotely begin to express what you will experience playing this game; it has certainly perfected the art of open world gaming in its own right. You can clearly see there is a lot to get done in this game so you should get started playing as soon as you can. Feel free to check out our usual bit of game-play footage to help persuade you further into giving this game your well deserved time and effort.

Guest post by Zalgo Cometh