Video Game Review: ‘Saint’s Row 4’ Has Sideways Appeal

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CHICAGO – Somewhere between getting abducted by aliens, dropped into a ’50s TV sitcom, leaping off a space platform in the buff in a direct reference to “Mass Effect 2”, and flying through space in a “Return Of The Jedi”-esque escape, “Saints Row 4” snagged me with both hands, and I forgave it for past transgressions. I forgave it for a third game that threw any sort of relationship with reality out the window in favor of dildo bats and angry mutant enemies. I forgave it for failing to implement the geo-mod engine. I forgave it for not being what my idea of a good sandbox game should be, and instead embraced it for its willingness to throw anything and everything at the wall in an attempt to entertain its players.

HollywoodChicago.com Video Game Rating: 3.5/5.0
Video Game Rating: 3.5/5.0

And entertain it does. With the inclusion of aliens, a “Matrix”-esque aesthetic, the ability to gain superpowers, and a lot of winking and nudging along the way, it’s a little easier to accept the more over-the-top elements of “Saints Row” this time around. But more importantly, these inclusions turn “Saints Row” from a “GTA” clone to a spiritual “Crackdown” sequel - all the way down to floating orb…erm, data cluster collection to upgrade powers. As a result the typical tenants of this franchise - car thievery, gangster life, and faction warfare, are tossed out the window in favor of a totally bizarre super-powered war between aliens and The Saints in a game that barely resembles the one that started the franchise over half a decade ago.

Saints Row IV
Saints Row IV
Photo credit: Deep Silver

…which is probably the best way to ensure this game isn’t swallowed completely whole by the looming release of “Grand Theft Auto V”. The first “Saints Row” had the advantage of being the first GTA-style game on next gen consoles, and “Saints Row 2” had the advantage of being an excellent palate cleanser to “GTA IV”’s understated nature, but let’s face it, considering how close they are in release date, there’s no way “Saints Row 4” was going to beat “GTA V” at its own game unless it came at this thing sideways.

Saints Row IV
Saints Row IV
Photo credit: Deep Silver

So it did. “Saints Row 4”’s setup is…insane. Essentially The Saints and The Boss (your character) come to power in Washington DC, and totally spruce up the place. The White House is renamed to the White Crib with renovations including stripper poles, living tigers, and easily accessible semi-automatic rifles in case you get in a pinch. Of course, every Presidency has its problems, and no sooner do we get a taste of the ghetto fabulous presidential lifestyle than aliens invade and screw it up for everyone. Eventually The Boss, his cohorts, and all of humanity are enslaved and forced into a Matrix-style simulation, and it’s up to you to break out, and fight back in the name of humanity.

The story is decently written and genuinely funny in parts, and tosses in satirical references to text adventures, old school platformers, “Tanks”, Mass Effect, Nolan North, and about 73 other sources of inspiration. There are also some moderately profound moments, including a ‘red pill / blue pill’ sequence that is more thoughtful and provocative than it has any right being. What’s important is that while a complete farce, the characters featured in “Saints Row 4” take things just seriously enough to make the audience care about their stories and in-game actions.

Actions that run the gambit from building a robot, hacking nodes, riding Tron light cycles, killing aliens, pulling off wrestling moves on civilians to regain health, racing around the city using super speed, upgrading your dubstep gun to have explosive wub wubs, and those freaking super powers. They work out pretty well too. While certainly a gimmick and a desperate gimmick at that, “Saints Row 4” does a great job of making them core to the experience and fun to use - especially in boss battles against super-powered “Doomsday” looking Wardens that tend to pop up after completing important missions and engage you in harrowing - and strategic - battles. Zipping around between rooftops, attempting to freeze one of those dudes long enough to get a few rounds off, then jumping out of the way of a laser blast is one of the more exciting things I’ve done in recent gaming history.

Saints Row IV
Saints Row IV
Photo credit: Deep Silver

But “Saints Row 4” isn’t perfect. The superpowers are great, but every time you run into an unbreakable fence, or a building ledge that can’t be jumped over, some of the magic gets lost. The textures are low-res, vehicles handle like peddle cars, and every time the camera wonks out, or an enemy you need to kill gets stuck in a wall, the shine comes off the apple a little bit more.

Of course then you have to kill a murderous toilet bowl, or dance to a Paula Abdul song, or jump on a rocket to Aerosmith’s “I don’t wanna miss a thing”, and suddenly you’re dialed right back into the action. Thus, “Saints Row 4” takes a quantity over quality approach, and it works splendidly. While you can still steal and customize cars, rob businesses, and will engage in various mainstay side missions like “Mayhem” and “Insurance Fraud” the joy comes from the limitless gameplay options. An activity for every mood, as the folks at Bungie would say.

Completely derivative and content to be overpacked with mediocre content, much of it stupid and sophomoric, but sometimes charming and very often witty, it appears “Saints Row 4” has managed to capture the spirit of an Adam Sandler film - namely being more fun than it is good. Purchase accordingly.

“Saint’s Row IV” was released on August 20, 2013 by Deep Silver. The game was reviewed for the Xbox 360 but is also available for the PS3 and PC.

HollywoodChicago.com video game critic Paul Meekin

By PAUL MEEKIN
Video Game Critic
HollywoodChicago.com

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