Pepsi or Coke? Ford or Chevy? Elvis or The Beatles? Grand Theft Auto or Saints Row? Every great has a counterpart. In terms of open-world sandbox games focusing on criminal enterprises, it's hard to argue that GTA is at the top of that hill. But that's never stopped Saints Row from garnering an audience thanks to its offbeat take on the genre. While it may not be the most original series, that doesn't make it any less fun. So let's run through Saints Row's history and see where it flopped or soared.
The Best Saints Row Games - Ranked
5) Saints Row
Saints Row is where it all started back in 2006. Players took control of a mostly silent protagonist and worked with the Third Street Saints to take over the fictional city of Stilwater. It was highly anticipated and was well-received thanks to its gameplay and introduction of series staples like online multiplayer, an in-game phone, GPS, and extensive customization.
4) Saints Row IV
Released in 2014, Saints Row IV was the proverbial "stone too far." It jumped the shark and then some. Stuck in an alien simulation of Steelport, the leader of the Saints (now President of the United States) must break free of the simulation and save all humanity. The addition of superpowers rendered vehicles and weapons a moot point, making the game feel very out of place with the rest of the series.
Related: Best Perks in Saints Row
3) Saints Row 2
Released in 2008, but set five years after the original, Saints Row 2 largely follows the same beat as the first game. After awakening from a coma, the player character discovers that the Third Street Saints have fallen from grace. Yet again, the boss must put the Saints back at the top of the food chain by edging out the competition and taking out the Ultor Corporation. It made improvements on the first and largely kept its comedy in check.
2) Saints Row Reboot
The Saints Row reboot ditches Johnny Gat and the Third Street Saints in favor of an untested group of friends. Taking place in the American Southwest, they must (you guessed it) work their way up from the bottom and squeeze out rival gangs in their hometown of Santo Ileso. While it doesn't do much to innovate, it's a return to form after the absurdity of Saints Row IV.
1) Saints Row: The Third
Saints Row: The Third is where the series peaked. Leaning heavily into its profane comedy, the third entry has the Saints in Stilwater's sister city of Steelport. With multiple choices in story progression, different endings, and a dildo bat to see you through, Saints Row: The Third wasn't ashamed of who it was. Though it and its remaster feel extremely dated now, one can't deny the amount of fun to be had when playing through it for the first time.
For more Saints Row goodies, check out Best Weapons in Saints Row on Pro Game Guides.
Christian has been playing games since he could hold a controller in the late 80s. He's been writing about them for nearly 15 years for both personal and professional outlets. Now he calls Pro Game Guides home where he worships at the altar of Destiny 2.