Saints Row has been out of the spotlight for a while. After the Gat out of Hell DLC for Saints Row 4, developer Volition released Agents of Mayhem which did not quite kickstart a new franchise, even though it did take place in the Saints Row continuity. It has already been four years since its last title, so fans were ecstatic to see a new Saints Row was recently announced for a February 25th, 2022 release.
This is not a sequel to Saints Row 4, however, and is instead a reboot of the franchise. The developer has already confirmed a more grounded and fresh approach to the franchise, but hopefully, it borrows some elements from the fourth game. Just because players won't be flying through the air does not mean it cannot retain some DNA from the Saints Row 4.
8 Humor
Not everybody likes the childish humor of Saints Row, but it always contributes to a generally jolly and laid-back vibe even if it does not make people laugh. The reboot needs to similarly capture this atmosphere.
Nobody plays Saints Row for hard-hitting social commentary or deep character drama; they want inappropriate jokes and silly slapstick antics. If it happens to actually be funny, then that is a huge plus. Hopefully, it does not take itself too seriously and mainly just lets players have fun.
7 Cooperative Play Through The Campaign
One of the most disappointing aspects of Agents of Mayhem was the lack of cooperative multiplayer. It made even less sense because the game constantly has AI companions accompanying the player. When it was such a mainstay feature of the Saints Row franchise, it felt like a huge step back for the developer.
Here's hoping Volition does not make the same mistake and lets players go through the campaign and explore the world with at least one other friend. Cooperative play was handled so well when compared to other open-world games with the same feature. The guest levels up and progresses through the story in the same manner as the host, never making them feel like a sidekick.
6 Side Quests
Part of what is so exciting about a Saints Row game is the lack of similar games in the current gaming landscape. Open-world adventures are plentiful, but ones taking place in a modern city and borrowing elements from Grand Theft Auto are rarer.
The side quests and bonus activities in Saints Row 4 were particularly fun, letting players destroy as much as the game could handle. Insurance fraud was also a highlight. They sometimes ended up being zanier than the story missions. In addition to old favorites, hopefully, the developer comes up with some original ideas to give us some new ways to blow things up.
5 Cameos And Celebrity Voice Roles
Saints Row 3 has Reynolds playing himself as the mayor of Steelport. Keith David has a supporting role in every game as Julius Little and there is an eventual cameo in Saints Row 4 by Roddy Piper calling back to the cult classic John Carpenter film They Live.
Where cameos can be obtrusive in other games, they fit right in with the Saints Row universe. Give us some more celebrities playing themselves or at least a caricature of themselves.
4 Pop Culture References
This one is related to cameos but also extends to other parts of the game. Where pop culture references grow tiring or feel like cheap ways to get a laugh, Saints Row generally handles them well.
For one, they are usually references to well-established properties and are not just trying to joke about what is popular at the moment. In this way, the references remain more timeless. Integrating them into the mechanics or story would be even more welcome.
3 Continuing From The Gat Out Of Hell Ending
The new Saints Row is marketed as a reboot. Fans of the series remember how Gat out of Hell ended with the timeline being reset. With this in mind, the new game could very well be set in the new timelines.
Agents of Mayhem had this hook as well, but no one would mind if they retconned that game. Even if it just gets a passing mention, connecting the two would be a great way to tell fans their time in the old series still counts.
2 Character Creator
It has already been confirmed that you will be able to create your own character, as is the standard for the series. Saints Row 4 has a fairly extensive character editor, letting players create someone grounded or completely ridiculous.
The reboot should have a similar range of possibilities. Hopefully, they have several people voicing the protagonist to give a choice of how they sound like as well.
1 Johnny Gat
This is the least likely of all the entries. Daniel Dae Kim has already said that he was not asked to voice the character in the new game. If he is not doing, then fans don't want someone else to take on the role.
However, there is always the possibility that he is lying to us and he did in fact play a part in the new title. If Volition truly wants this to be a fresh reboot for the series, then it makes sense why they would leave such an iconic character behind.