Those hoping to get something truly revolutionary from the storyline will struggle to find anything genuinely surprising.
Aside from utterly unthreatening car chases during repetitive business venture missions, you’ll see them approximately four times during your 25-hour story playthrough. Marshall is a glorified, tech-driven security company–standard fare. The Idols, led by their TV helmet-wearing, six-strong “Collective”, stand for anti-capitalism, but it’s not really clear how. This poor early storytelling continues to be a running theme throughout the game.ĭespite wonderfully weird back stories and characters from past groups like the Luchadores, Ronin, Deckers, and Sons of Samedi, Saints Row’s gangs overwhelmingly lack identity. Instead, this trio is only respectively known for gunslinging, a love for their car, and the ability to cook good food.
You never actually find out how you became such a badass, or why Neenah or Kev is so awesome (or how they’re active) in their Panteros or Icons crews, or how you all met, or why they forgive you for mass-murdering their friends on a day-to-day basis. You’re personally contracted to security company Marshall, completing the game’s initial, bombastic missions with style. Your four-strong gang of misfits have strong acting talent, but very little character depth.
