Five Things I Love About Saints Row The Third

After not being able to put down Saints Row The Third and getting the games completion rating to 99%, I felt compelled to write down a few things that I love about the game. I truly enjoyed Saints Row 2 and am glad to see that there were improvements made in this new release, especially that the best aspects from the second game have been carried over.

1. Dialogue

You know when you’re watching a TV show and somebody says something that really isn’t funny, then the laugh track plays and it isn’t convincing you either? The first time this happens, maybe even the second time, you just let is slide and give a little chuckle to keep from feeling awkward. You then begin to wonder why the stupid show keeps doing this.  The forced laugh track is how the humor felt in Saints Row 2.

Don’t get me wrong, playing Saints Row 2 wasn’t that bad, but there were certain incidents when the characters would say something that was supposed to be funny, but it just wasn’t quite there. In Saints Row 3, however, the dialogue seems much more fluid.  I’m glad to report that the humor thusly flows more naturally and the jokes aren’t stupid. Also, if you pay attention to your surroundings you can catch some chuckle worthy bits (the broken shalalie for example). (What is a Shalalie? Don’t reference things without defining them.)

2. So much to do, so little time

Aside from the game’s story section there are a host of other things to do. Side missions, assassinations, car jackings, challenges, stunt jumps, and that’s only mentioning a few of the game’s extras. I just kept on playing and finding different things to do.

These missions didn’t seem forced or boring and are much more than a silly addition to increase game time. No, side missions go beyond the usual “fetch quests” and locating the overdone collectable knickknacks developers often put into games. I actually enjoyed doing these tasks and, playing with a fried via the well done co-op, they were even more fun.

There are also a ton of customizable character options allowing you to alter your character in an amazing number of ways. This lets you put your own mark on the game and customize exactly how you want your character to look. Add vehicle and weapon options and all that money you make during missions actually has a purpose in Saints Row The Third.

3. A game full of Awesome

Have you ever watched a movie, played a game, or maybe read a book and thought, “wow, wouldn’t it be awesome if _______?” While Playing Grand Theft Auto with friends over the years I’ve come up with all kinds of different ideas for missions and other side quests. I know that GTA, being a more realistic/serious game, is never going to get too wacky, and that is why Saints Row the Third is there to satisfy those desires.  I couldn’t help but have a big smile on my face the entire time. I kept thinking, “They’re really letting me do this?”

Many of the wildest parts of my favorite movies (or crazy things I’d always thought someone should be able to do in a game) have been included in Saints Row The Third. I don’t want to ruin it for anyone who hasn’t played the game yet, but there are countless awesome things to discover that will delight your senses. Add in the undeniable sense of humor already mentioned -  imagine driving with a tiger in your back seat and your buddy punching it every time it tries to maul you – and you get the idea. (Yes, this Hangover homage really is a mission in Saints Row The Third.) Lastly,  the game also allows you to wield a huge purple dildo and beat random strangers with it. These are only two examples of things the game lets you do that got a laugh out of me and there are tons more.

4. Whored Mode

I’m a big fan of survival modes in any game. I play them endlessly and can never get enough of them. Saint’s Row The Third’s Whored mode is no exception and is a clever parody of survival modes in other games. Shooting, bombing or bashing mascots and prostitutes is fairly entertaining and they give you plenty of ways to do it.

5. Positive Potrayal of Women

I know what you’re thinking; a game that lets you adjust how big your characters breasts are and is chock full of strippers simply can’t possibly portray women in a positive light. In reality, the game’s gender biases are kept on a relatively even keel (at least from my admittedly male perspective). Every way you are  able to customize a female character has a male equivalent.

Yes, There’s female strippers, there are male ones as well. For those of you that have played the game, I reference the BDSM club mission. If you choose to play as a female character you become the leader of a big powerful gang. You’re the one calling the shots and your entire gang is looking at you for direction. No one doubts your female character or analyzes her wardrobe choice, instead the game focuses strictly on the issues at hand immediately affecting the Saints.

Then look at the character Shaundi; she’s a tough, bad ass female who can hold her own and isn’t afraid to show it. Then there is the DeWynter twins who run prostitution and human trafficking in the city (impressive achievements for sure). Kinzie Kensington, a former FBI agent, although a definite geek, takes care of everything technical and does some seriously impressive stuff over the course of the game.

Then there’s the female senator that raises hell after you blow up her husbands bridge and makes all kinds of trouble for you. It may be hard to believe, but Saint’s Row The Third is full of powerful, prominent female characters, a welcome breath of fresh air in the male dominated hardcore gaming world.

Saints Row The Third is a marvelous, lighthearted affair full of humor, action, and endless fun.

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