Saint's Row Story

[Ritter315]

With the trailer for Saints Row 3 on the escapist and one or two developers commentary on the gameplay video I had a very thoughts about the marketing around the game so far.

The Saints Row series story really doesnt get the credit it should. The player character is one of the most likeable characters I've ever seen, even with him/her being very customizable. If you look at the character throughout the series, from his silence in the first game to the way he acts to Julius in the second, the pieces fit. Hes silent because he doesnt have any power in the first game, and he's angry and homocidal because he finally has the entire gang on his fingertips.
Plus, every gang leader and lieutenent in both the other gangs have well defined characters. To the people who played the games, tell me you dont remember the Lopez brothers or Mr. Sunshine. Its the same for the Saints as well, even if some of the lieutenents never really get to show their potential ala Lin, Carlos and Pierce (Here's hoping he gets less of a bum rap in Saints Row 3)

Now, I say this because I'm a little concerned on the way they're actually SELLING Saints Row 3 as an over the top "guilty pleasure" due to the weapons and actions without focusing much on the characters or story (Especially since the characters this time around look AMAZING)
Mabye that will be a focus in later development trailers but I'd like the SR team to remember that what made the games such great games was just as much, if not more so, the characters holding the guns and driving the fancy cars than the guns and cars themselves.
What do you guys think?

 

[StBishop]

Agreed. I picked up SR2 for like $10 from the bargain bin for buggering around in when I felt like mindless fun and ended up dedicating all of my gaming time to it because it was SO FUCKING GOOD!

I haven't played 1, and probably won't unfortunately because I don't like going backward in game series, it seems less fun playing prequels that are missing features. I know this isn't always the case (In fact often the sequel is lesser than it's predecessor), but from all I hear, 1 doesn't live up to 2 if you didn't play it first.

I am looking forward to SR the 3rd a fuck load. I just hope they don't make the NPC's shitty.

 

[Joshica Huracane]

I don't think your desire to see Pierce's potential reached will be met in Saints Row the Third. Apparently he holds the fort in Stillwater.. What that says to me is that he won't be present for most of the day. i hope I'm wrong, coz Pierce was damn funny.

Just quickly, everyone looks reeeealo different. I didn't recognize anyone the first time I saw the "Power" trailer..

 

[Mr Thin]

I know what you mean. I never played the first game, only the second, but as I've mentioned in some other thread, my Saints Row 2 character is one of, if not my favourite, of all the characters I've ever had; and that's in no small part due to the epicness of the cutscenes and story.

I mean, I'm all for a game that takes the serious route, and I loved the story of GTA IV. But I think Saints Row 2 has a much better understanding of the kind of people who play sandbox games.

Having said all that, the first trailer I saw, with the enemy gang busting into the Saints HQ, seemed like it had the right idea.

 

[mjc0961]

To the people who played the games, tell me you dont remember the Lopez brothers

Vaguely. To be fair though, they didn't really do much compared to the dude and his uncle (although I can't even remember their names right now) and Benjamin King. Holy crap, King was awesome. The part where you, King, and Johnny "hang out" with Stefan is probably the funniest part of that game.

This probably means I need to replay Saints Row soon though. I really don't remember much at all about Los Carnales except for Dex having an aneurysm every time someone said "the Los Carnales".

 

[OutcastBOS]

The Saint's Row series is one of my favorite out there, and I am looking forward to the new one, like A LOT. And I highly doubt they'll forget about the story, because it's their baby, and the last one in an epic trilogy.

EDIT: And I wonder if they'll still go with their habit of killing off a Saint lieutenant in the game. I fear for Gat's awesome life... 3:

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

I love my SR character, I hope all my important moral decisions carry over. And by that I mean the suit I'm wearing.

 

[Saelune]

The main character is very likable!? Never have I hated my own character more! I actually hope the game end with my character dead. They are a terrible person. You may be the protagonist, but you are also the villian. The first game you were made to seem more like an anti hero, but 2 changed that, and 3 seems to only build on making you more terrible than 2 did.

 

[Thunderhorse31]

I agree with pretty much everything TC, I've been a much bigger fan of the story in Saints Row - a supposedly dumber and shallower tale - than the latest iterations of Grand Theft Auto. Hell, I was even more emotional...

<spoiler=SR2 & GTA4 Spoilers>...when Carlos/Aisha died than when Roman/Kate died. The SR2 characters were far more likeable, and died more horribly. Even the way Julius went was pretty intense, the way it was done. Gripping stuff in SR2, whereas in GTA you're actually kinda glad to never be called to a titty bar again...

Anyway, I do love the characters in SR as well, as they are truly more colorful and memorable. Even the dialogue and setpieces are more entertaining. For example:

<spoiler=Ronin storyline concluding scenes><youtube=M_R1t-SXHLg>

So yeah, I too hope they keep up the charm in The Third.

 

[WolfThomas]

I don't know if the main character is "likeable", he/she's pretty much a sociopath. But I will agree they are a delight to watch though, especially the british voice.

 

[unicron44]

Saints Row is the only series I've played all of and actually am a fan of. It's really the only reason I play video games.

EDIT: I've beaten the first one at least five times and the second one at least three times.

 

[PureIrony]

I agree. Saint's Row actually had a decent plot, and got a surprising number of game narrative tropes right.

I also just love how wonderfully and unabashedly sociopathic my cockney-accented, spiky-haired brit was. Even had the purple pin-striped suit going on.

 

[PsychedelicDiamond]

Nah... Saints Rows Story and characters are pretty generic. I mean, i do enjoy having a protagonist who's the biggest asshole of the whole game but i don't think any of the characters are particulary complex or well written. Most are actually pretty stereotypical and none are that likeable. I'd even say the most likeable character of SR2 was Dane Vogel and he was the antagonist. I did enjoy some of those moments where the game tried to make the player feel bad for what he's done and i hope they keep those in the sequel.

 

[StormShaun]

I love my Saints Row character, he has a damn great likeable...well everything.

Also Pierce stop turning the f*cking station over to classic!!

I want my cockney accent back!

 

[Ritter315]

To everyone that says that the SR protagonist was basically a dbag: This is just my opinion and I can totally see where you're coming from just to say, he kills indiscriminately etc. But I thought the character was likable because he's understandable. He's a younger guy/gal(at least in continuity, you can make him look ery old I know) who just came into potentially massive amounts of power. Even the way he treats Julius at the end, it felt like the reason he was so angry is because he previously had no power before. (Remember the line: "I'm not just a little ***** who just keeps quiet and does what he's told." Thats what thats all about.)
Even the way the treats the other saints, like Carlos and Gat shows hes got a softer side. (Tell me Carlos doesnt prove that) And to those who he works for (especially in the side missions) he treats them with respect.
I'd liked to see the boss mellow out a LITTLE bit, become a little more mature and content before being forced back into the badass mold after everything goes bang in Stillwater.

Also, for Pierce; I know he gets left behind in Stillwater and that MIGHT be one of the jokes, if its not I doubt we'll forget about Pierce. I have a feeling hes going to be part of something big either at the end of the game, or a constant presence throughout.

 

[Stall]

I think they are going to keep the charm. I remember in one of the trailers, Johnny Gatt goes to take a bullet for The Boss, and The Boss doesn't wait a second to help him up. I have enough faith that Volition is going to keep the likability of the main cast.

Nah... Saints Rows Story and characters are pretty generic. I mean, i do enjoy having a protagonist who's the biggest asshole of the whole game but i don't think any of the characters are particulary complex or well written.

You do know that a character doesn't have to be "well written" to be likable? SR assembles a cast of likable and fun characters. Sure, they aren't fucking Hamlet, and are somewhat one-note and flat, but that doesn't mean they aren't enjoyable characters.