Saints Row is an action game with adventure elements, released in 2022 by Deep Silver. It is the fifth instalment of the popular Saints Row series developed by Volition. This part is somewhat treated as a soft reboot of the series.
The game takes us to events taking place before the first instalment of the series, to the fictional metropolis of Santo Ileso (loosely based on Las Vegas).
In the game, we play as a “budding” criminal with one goal — to build his own evil empire. Unfortunately, the path to a criminal career is not as simple as it might seem, especially since he will have to face many opponents along with his companions.
Criteria of Selection
Saints Row is primarily a large dose of humour filled with grotesque. Besides laughter, the game offers players a huge open world that can be traversed on foot or with countless vehicles.
The gameplay is observed from a third-person perspective, and the weapons available in the game are as quirky as the humour.
The loose atmosphere, interesting story missions, and numerous side missions are just a few elements that attracted players to Saints Row. Encouraged by good reviews, we decided to create a list of games that could be its alternative. When creating it, we considered the atmosphere, genre, and, of course, sense of humour. Curious about what games we chose? You are welcome to read on!
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | |
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 | Yakuza 0 | 2018-08-01 | Adventure | Ryu ga Gotoku Studios |
 | Borderlands 2 Goty | 2012-09-20 | Action & Shooter | Gearbox Software |
 | Far Cry 6 | 2021-10-07 | Shooter | Ubisoft Toronto |
 | Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition | 2014-10-08 | Adventure | United Front Games |
 | Just Cause 2 | 2010-03-23 | Adventure | Avalanche Studios |
 | Mad Max | 2015-09-01 | Adventure | Avalanche Studios |
 | Sunset Overdrive | 2014-10-28 | Action & Shooter | Insomniac Games |
 | Grand Theft Auto V | 2015-04-14 | Adventure | Rockstar North |
 | Agents Of Mayhem | 2017-08-15 | Action & Shooter | Volition |
 | Crackdown 3 | 2019-02-15 | Adventure | Sumo Digital |
 | Watch Dogs 2 | 2016-11-29 | Adventure | Ubisoft Montreal |
 | Mafia II Definitive Edition | 2020-05-19 | Action | D3T Limited |
 | Brutal Legend | 2013-02-26 | Adventure | Double Fine Productions |
 | Dead Rising 2 Off The Record | 2011-10-11 | Adventure | Capcom Game Studio Vancouver, Inc. |
Yakuza 0
| Release date: | 2018-08-01 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Ryu ga Gotoku Studios |
Yakuza 0 is the sixth (main) part of the Yakuza series, started in 2006, also known as “Like a Dragon.” Interestingly, this instalment is a prequel to the entire series.
The action of Yakuza 0 takes place at the end of 1988, 7 years before the events of the first part. The story presents us with the fate of Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, who are drawn into a struggle between various Yakuza clans for control over one of the city’s districts.
Yakuza 0, like Saints Row, is an action game with adventure elements. In this title, we take on the roles of both protagonists (alternately), and their actions, similar to SR, are observed from a third-person perspective. Although Yakuza does not offer us the fanciful weapons known from Saints Row, the shoot-outs in it are equally dynamic.
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Watch Dogs 2
| Release date: | 2016-11-29 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Ubisoft Montreal |
Watch Dogs 2 is an adventure action game developed by Ubisoft Montreal, a sequel to the 2014 game Watch Dogs. The game was released in 2016 by Ubisoft.
In Watch Dogs 2, we move to San Francisco. Our protagonist is Marcus Holloway, a brilliant young hacker who joins DedSec, a hacker organization aiming to destroy the ctOS operating system.
The creators of Watch Dogs approached the second instalment with more ease, resulting in entertainment with a large dose of humour (though perhaps not as crazy as in SR). Like in Saints Row, we have at our disposal various fanciful gadgets and a range of vehicles that we can hack.
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Borderlands series
| Release date: | 2020-04 |
| Genre: | Action RPG |
| Developer: | Gearbox Software |
Borderlands is a series of first-person shooters released from 2009 to 2022. The series has gained enormous popularity among players and critics and achieved incredible commercial success, making it one of the best-selling video game series of all time.
Each instalment tells a slightly different story, but all are connected by Vaults hiding mysterious artefacts and powers, and the Vault Hunters (playable characters) searching for them. The heroes must do everything to prevent the Vaults (containing cosmic technology and priceless riches) from falling into the hands of large and dangerous corporations.
Borderlands, like Saints Row, offers its fans not only great fun but also a massive arsenal of unusual weapons and surprising, sometimes even absurd humour. This series simply had to be on our list.
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Sleeping Dogs
| Release date: | 2014-10-08 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | United Front Games |
Sleeping Dogs is an explosive mix of genres such as action, RPG, shooter, and… racing. The original plan was to release the game as the third instalment of the True Crime series, but minor legal issues forced the creators to abandon this idea, though the game concept remained the same.
The action takes place in Hong Kong. Our hero, detective Wei Shen, is tasked with infiltrating the dangerous Sun On Yee organization. To do this, he must undergo tests by performing tasks for the triad and climbing the criminal career ladder.
Gangs and fast cars are undoubtedly two features that connect Sleeping Dogs and Saints Row. If these two aspects appealed to you in SR, this alternative is for you!
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Mad Max
| Release date: | 2015-09-01 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Avalanche Studios |
Mad Max is a post-apocalyptic shooter released by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in 2015. Although the game is not strictly tied to any of George Miller’s films, it is no secret that it was created based on the “Mad Max” film series.
The game takes us to the post-apocalyptic wastelands of Australia. Max Rockatansky’s greatest enemy, Scrotus, steals his most prized possession — the unique V8 Interceptor car. Max is forced to travel through the desert terrain searching for parts to build a new super machine — the Magnum Opus.
Although Mad Max is much more brutal than Saints Row, we are also in for equally spectacular actions and, of course, amazing cars adapted for fighting in difficult terrain.
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Just Cause 3
| Release date: | 2015-11-30 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Avalanche Studios |
Just Cause 3 is a sandbox action game released in 2015 by Square Enix. It is the third instalment of the popular Just Cause series, which premiered in 2006.
The action takes place 6 years after the events of the previous instalment on the fictional island of Medici. Our hero, Rico Rodriguez, joins the rebels to overthrow the rule of General Di Ravello.
Although Just Cause 3 differs in atmosphere from Saints Row, it offers an open world, spectacular actions, a rich arsenal, and unusual gadgets, all of which captivated many players in SR.
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Sunset Overdrive
| Release date: | 2014-10-28 |
| Genre: | Action & Shooter |
| Developer: | Insomniac Games |
Sunset Overdrive is an adventure shooter released in 2014 by Microsoft Studios. The game received positive feedback from both players and critics and was chosen by IGN as the Best Xbox Game in 2014.
The action takes us somewhere in 2077, to the titular city of Sunset. During the inauguration party of a new energy drink by the Frizzco corporation, unexpected events occur. Everyone who tasted the new concoction turns into mindless mutants. Our hero, who was one of the few to avoid the tasting, stands up to fight the mindless Overcharge Drinkers.
If what attracted you to Saints Row was the unconventional humour, crazy and overly exaggerated weapons, and spectacular action, then Sunset Overdrive should definitely be the next game on your shelf.
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Grand Theft Auto 5
| Release date: | 2015-04-14 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Rockstar North |
Grand Theft Auto 5 is another instalment of the Grand Theft Auto series, which started in 1997. Despite the time that has passed since its release, the game still enjoys immense popularity. Well… being listed seven times in the Guinness Book of World Records obliges ;).
In GTA 5, we play not one but three protagonists: Michael, a retired robber, his former partner Trevor, and a young gangster with bigger ambitions, Franklin. When fate plays a trick on them, the trio sets out to conquer Los Santos in pursuit of dirty money.
Grand Theft Auto 5 is a definite return to the brutal side of the criminal world, so it’s not a title for everyone. The crazy humour and overall vibe present in the game led us to include GTA 5 on the list of games similar to Saints Row.
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Mafia series
| Release date: | 2020-09-25 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Hangar 13 |
Mafia is a series of third-person action games released from 2002 to 2020. Although the creators faced some difficulties (e.g., due to age restrictions), they managed to sell millions of games worldwide and achieve tremendous commercial success.
Each subsequent instalment is practically a new story. In the game, we immerse ourselves in the criminal world of North America in the 30s, 50s, and the late 60s/early 70s. Each newly introduced protagonist gradually climbs the ladder of the Mafia’s criminal career.
In both cases, we get an invitation to the gangster world. Although the one presented in Mafia is for people with strong nerves.
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Summary
Although initially, Saints Row was called a GTA clone, players quickly realized how unfair that judgment was. Saints Row is a one-of-a-kind fun in the gangster underworld, filled with crazy humour and equally crazy actions. Finding its counterpart was not an easy task. Did we succeed? Well… we leave that to your opinion!