Saints Row: The Third

 PlayStation 3
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 460 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 324 out of 460
  2. Mixed: 93 out of 460
  3. Negative: 43 out of 460
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  1. Rosco
    Jan 27, 2012
    7
    I'm not going to lie I was genuinely excited about the prospect of this game because for me Saints Row 2 was and remains one of the most under-rated games on PS3. Unfortunately, THQ's latest installment Saints Row franchise descends into an over-the-top ludicrously immature, albeit fun, game. Don't get me wrong SR3 is fun, its insanely fun but the balance just isn't right for me. The storyI'm not going to lie I was genuinely excited about the prospect of this game because for me Saints Row 2 was and remains one of the most under-rated games on PS3. Unfortunately, THQ's latest installment Saints Row franchise descends into an over-the-top ludicrously immature, albeit fun, game. Don't get me wrong SR3 is fun, its insanely fun but the balance just isn't right for me. The story picks up from it's predecessor the Third Street Saints have assumed total control of Stilwater and have been enjoying a celebrity lifestyle after expanding into everything and everything however when they end up in Steelport local gang The Syndicate set about bringing an end to the Saints dominance. In terms of gameplay I had no doubts THQ would deliver the goods and they have. The beauty of SR3 is how simple it is to come to terms with, any newcomers will automatically think they had been playing the game for years. The driving has been slightly altered, I preferred SR2's but it's not a fundamental flaw by any means and it's easy to get a grip off. THQ have borrowed some moves from their sister game WWE 12 as i'm sure i've seen a few trademark WWE maneuvers in here. Weapons have always been awesome and that remains the same. There is a whole bunch of various weapons to choose from some of which require DLC to unlock. Infact there's even a d*ldo. that's how far-fetched and mad SR3 gets. The missions in the previous outing were pretty great. They had the perfect mix of combining a story you could get your teeth into, with fun and ofcourse mind-blowing action. Saints Row The Third follows the same format although the story is not as good as the first game. The missions do offer a different variety of things again like SR2 but they also become repetitive and the side-missions are not any where near as good as the it's predecessor as they felt as though they served a purpose for the game. The balance just isn't quite right because as much fun as you will have, which is quite a lot i'd guarantee it's just to immature and has gone way over the top for me. Graphically SR has never been like an Uncharted but the change of setting from Stilwater to Steelport gives the game an element of freshness it's not ground-breaking bu they are up-to-date and sharp. Multiplayer provides you with plenty to do on top of the campaign including co-op and more madness to fulfill your time. All in all Saints Row The Third is all about the fun. If you buy a game just for the fun then you can't go wrong but as a huge fan of the franchise I was left wanting more. THQ have put there attention into providing no more than a fun experience which is all well but it becomes to immature and just descends into a game of pure insanity that can't be taken all that seriously, that doesn't mean its bad because it's not! It's enjoyable and you'll have a ball but I wanted more from this, i'll have my fingers crossed THQ deliver with SR4.… Expand
  2. mrflip
    Nov 23, 2011
    7
    Not a bad game and truly caters to the Saints Row fanbase. I can see how the game can get repetitive fast but if you're looking for a dumb beat 'em up type of game and don't mind the stupidity, then definitely pick this game up. I can say that it is a satisfying filler for the upcoming GTA V.
  3. sidekickly
    Dec 6, 2011
    7
    Saints Row: The Third is a blast to play and does not take itself as serious as other open world action games. I love the customization options that the game gives you where you can play as male or female with multiple fully voiced options. This game is not as graphically impressive as gta 4, but it has taken it a step further from Saints Row 2. The missions are nicely varied and keeps theSaints Row: The Third is a blast to play and does not take itself as serious as other open world action games. I love the customization options that the game gives you where you can play as male or female with multiple fully voiced options. This game is not as graphically impressive as gta 4, but it has taken it a step further from Saints Row 2. The missions are nicely varied and keeps the fun factor at ten. Playing this game cooperatively is very fun as having a friend along to create bedlam never gets dull. One sour point is that the game is sort of short for an open world game clocking in at about 20-50 hours depending on whether you want to complete all the side missions and collectables. The $20 dlc season pass for three scenarios and some costumes in my opinion is a rip-off. I thoroughly enjoyed playing this game for the first time, but playing it after completing the game was a bit boring. I did enjoy the fact that the ps3 version had Saints Row 2 downloadable version for free with every new copy of Saints Row: The Third until February 2012. While this game isn't going to wow you in its story or open world environment, it is a very fun distraction until the next gta game.… Expand
  4. NazTfox
    Nov 21, 2011
    7
    Best of the Saints series so far. It's got a lot packed into it and its all filthy humor but it still lacks something which keeps it from going big. Worth your money if you buy it, but you might be tempted to just rent it instead.
  5. prinny
    Mar 18, 2012
    7
    this game is just mindless fun, really. the story does well enough to push the gameplay segments along, and there are some funny moments, though it can come across forced at times. the minigames are hit and miss, with my favourites being trailblazers and the genki challenges.
  6. Tall_But_Short
    Sep 1, 2012
    7
    I love a game with a solid story and amazing graphics. Saints Row: The Third has none of the above, but what it does have is an amazing sandbox mode and tremendous gameplay. That is where this third installment of the Saints Row franchise prospers, but the problem is, that's the only aspect it prospers in. But is that enough? Yes and no. The humor allows me to get through the cutscenes,I love a game with a solid story and amazing graphics. Saints Row: The Third has none of the above, but what it does have is an amazing sandbox mode and tremendous gameplay. That is where this third installment of the Saints Row franchise prospers, but the problem is, that's the only aspect it prospers in. But is that enough? Yes and no. The humor allows me to get through the cutscenes, but some of them are so ridiculous and sometimes unfunny, that I feel forced to skip through them. But I do this so I can get right back into the game and kill some more gang member or just cause havoc throughout the city. Overall, Saints Row: The Third is just plain mindless fun, and it really works out. Though, it doesn't live up to Saints Row 2, sadly.… Expand
  7. TheSnitchfather
    Sep 9, 2020
    7
    7/10, overall aight.
    This is what started off the over the top and gay ass bullsh*t that we've seen in SRIV and SR Gat out of Hell. I can't believe how they f*cked this franchise up. Saints Row was the best and definitely followed by SR2. F*cking hate how childish the game has become. Absolutely everything about it is childish. The humour is f*cking trash, most weapons are sh*t, STAG    7/10, overall aight.
    This is what started off the over the top and gay ass bullsh*t that we've seen in SRIV and SR Gat out of Hell. I can't believe how they f*cked this franchise up. Saints Row was the best and definitely followed by SR2. F*cking hate how childish the game has become. Absolutely everything about it is childish. The humour is f*cking trash, most weapons are sh*t, STAG soldiers are bullet-sponges, the story is weird and boring and way too short etc
    This made me lose faith in the franchise. And as of September 2020, still nothing from Volition about the next SR, since it's supposedly deep in development. Absolutely zero information, not even a hint if it's gonna go back to it's roots or continue being that gay sh*t that it has been since 2011.    … Expand
  8. R3HAP3R
    Feb 4, 2019
    7
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  9. hector_bcn98
    Nov 9, 2022
    7
    Es tan descerebrada, tan sinsentido. que a veces llega a aburrir ya que no sorprende en ningún momento.
  10. bianweiqu123
    Mar 4, 2023
    7
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  11. LittleSticker
    Aug 26, 2022
    7
    the story in this game is awful but i like everything else
    a lot of memories with this game
    zombie cheat was so fun
  12. Sceptic
    Nov 23, 2011
    6
    SR:TT is a mildy amusing game with an excellent soundtrack and fantastic character customisation.That said,it's also one of the ugliest games I've seen recently and the driving felt terrible.The developers have seemed insanely determined to distance the series from GTA.At least they succeeded in that respect by going in a mindless,juvenile direction instead of bulding on the very goodSR:TT is a mildy amusing game with an excellent soundtrack and fantastic character customisation.That said,it's also one of the ugliest games I've seen recently and the driving felt terrible.The developers have seemed insanely determined to distance the series from GTA.At least they succeeded in that respect by going in a mindless,juvenile direction instead of bulding on the very good original game.While I certainly didn't hate this game,I've thankfully almost forgotten it.… Expand
  13. Schuback
    Feb 26, 2016
    6
    This game is fun but not as awesome as SR2. It's no longer a street gang game and it replaces the serious moments with OTT wacky moments. The rival gangs and npcs are not very interesting. No online mode.

    Still an ok game worth trying 'cause of the laughs and the open world sandbox gameplay. 6/10
  14. BlacksitePSU
    Feb 17, 2013
    6
    The third entry of the Saints Row series, while fun, holds the player's hand a bit too much and reduces the majority of missions to simple tutorials and mini-games. Fans of the previous two installments will also be disappointed to find out that Volition really didn't do much to advance the plot. That said, let's hope Saints Row 4 focuses more on the protagonist tracking down Dex.
  15. PurpleNova
    Apr 5, 2012
    6
    To put it bluntly, it's very, meh... Huge let down and I'm really surprised that critics rated it so generously. Gameplay is dull and gets old after an hour. The comedy is immature and just not that funny in general. The graphics are surprisingly bad for a big title like this. Story is bland. Literally no character development whatsoever. If you're really eager to play it, I suggestTo put it bluntly, it's very, meh... Huge let down and I'm really surprised that critics rated it so generously. Gameplay is dull and gets old after an hour. The comedy is immature and just not that funny in general. The graphics are surprisingly bad for a big title like this. Story is bland. Literally no character development whatsoever. If you're really eager to play it, I suggest you rent it to test it out. For some reason some kids think this is a good game so maybe its a preference thing. But to me it wasn't a game that was good but wasn't for everybody, it was just a bad game in every field.… Expand
  16. aspentitan
    Jan 27, 2012
    5
    Why a 5 rating? Simply because they released DLC on day one. I guess that is a slippery slope. From here I can guess i will be able to buy a game of the year edition with the DLC on disc maybe half a year from now or more making this original release a waste of money at full price. When the disc comes out with all the content for a lesser price I will score the game as it deserves. UntilWhy a 5 rating? Simply because they released DLC on day one. I guess that is a slippery slope. From here I can guess i will be able to buy a game of the year edition with the DLC on disc maybe half a year from now or more making this original release a waste of money at full price. When the disc comes out with all the content for a lesser price I will score the game as it deserves. Until then I hold back money buying unfinished product with the intent to milk us gamers.… Expand
  17. Tokyochuchu
    Aug 14, 2012
    5
    Whilst not awful, Saint's Row: The Third just did not capture my attention in any compelling way. It's fun to careen around causing sandbox mayhem but only for the first hour or so. After that, it's negative aspects start to pile up one after the other, eventually outweighing the positives by quite some distance. Examples of these faults would be: surprisingly poor graphics, ultra clumsyWhilst not awful, Saint's Row: The Third just did not capture my attention in any compelling way. It's fun to careen around causing sandbox mayhem but only for the first hour or so. After that, it's negative aspects start to pile up one after the other, eventually outweighing the positives by quite some distance. Examples of these faults would be: surprisingly poor graphics, ultra clumsy driving mechanics that make every car feel the same, an uninspired sandbox city that isn't fun to explore, an uneven difficulty level, a lack of substantial multiplayer,, unrepentantly basic shooting mechanics and an unshakable sense of general mediocrity. This is the type of unpolished game that you would've expected (and excused) from a launch title but certainly not from the end of a console generation. Ultimately, Saint's Row: The Third makes for a pale imitator of GTA: San Andreas and a very poor cousin to this generation's GTA IV.… Expand
  18. the_blueprint
    Dec 18, 2013
    5
    Like all Saint's row games this one begins really funny and entertaining. After a while though it get's really frustrating because of too much chaos and technical flaws. Sidenote: one of the rare games were the sidemissions are actually fun.
  19. hollowfication
    Apr 11, 2012
    5
    this game is short and pointless the only thing was fun bout it was zombies rising even still it was not even game worth playing again and even now they keep adding more ad on for this game to improve the game play still it crap.

    saint row 2 is best game so far why did they just crap over third game instalment short mission oh yes 1 day worth of game play, But the only thing i like on it    this game is short and pointless the only thing was fun bout it was zombies rising even still it was not even game worth playing again and even now they keep adding more ad on for this game to improve the game play still it crap.

    saint row 2 is best game so far why did they just crap over third game instalment short mission oh yes 1 day worth of game play, But the only thing i like on it was cars are super fast    … Expand
  20. Midgetnik
    Sep 23, 2013
    5
    I had mixed feelings about this game. The gameplay was kind of fun but it started to get repitive after a while. Most of the mini games are fun. But the humor in this game is terrible. The only thing funny in this was beating people to death with a big purple Other than that it's sex joke after sex joke. And most of the characters are uncool except for some.
  21. AFCA_FLORIS
    Dec 23, 2011
    4
    saints row the third is just so much worse than saints row 2 was when that game came out, the main thing in the saints row-series is customization and that was verry good in SR2, but in SR3, there aren't a lot of clothes and you can't buy houses and pimp them, like in SR2.
  22. Stonerface
    Oct 3, 2013
    4
    The game may have a sandbox full of fun, but the game still doesn't offer a compelling story. The jokes become old and repetitive, the side missions are bland, and the character creation is laughable. Saints Row 2 was a step in the right direction, but this one took a huge right turn...off a cliff.
  23. 1falcone
    Oct 22, 2013
    4
    Starts out promising but gets worse, sandbox games suffer from 3 hours of blandness for 10 mins of fun and this is no different. I would have kept playing if they got the learning curve right but they don't, it makes you realise how brilliant a lot of other games are....
  24. Criz-MiLo
    Dec 26, 2013
    4
    Don't know why but I just couldn't push myself to finish this....stopped playing after 3 hours in,guess I'm just into games that aren't bland. The intro was not bad though
  25. FizzyWM
    Nov 19, 2011
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Let me start off this review by stating that I am a MASSIVE fan of Saints Row 1 & 2. They're two of my all time favourite games. I love the characters, the over-the-top explosive action, the hilarious interactions and the world in general. That being said, I'll get on with my review of Saints Row: The Third.

    Saints Row: the Third starts off the game by killing off everyones favourite character, you characters best friend, Johnny Gat. Everybody I know that's played a Saints game said that Johnny Gat is, hands down, one the best thing about the game. To kill him off so early, AND off screen I might add, is a slap in the face. Why kill him off? I honestly don't understand why the developers thought it would be a good idea.

    The gameplay is still the great gameplay that was present in the previous two games, but with some nifty new updates and upgrades, as you would expect. However, it feels as if there are hardly any weapons in the game. Ones that you'd use, at any rate. (Well, unless you want to pay for some day one DLC to get some extra ridiculous weapons that aren't particularly useful, of course.) You can upgrade the small amount of weapons that you do have, however, and that does add a little bit of an extra something to keep the weapons feeling slightly fresh as you progress.

    Throughout the games development we were given a lot of videos detailing the enemies of the game. Then they throw all that out of the window early on by killing off who we were lead to believe was the main villain and throwing the player into a situation where they think "Well... who am I actually fighting then? What the hell is actually going on?" The storyline feels so fragmented and unstructured that it's very hard to follow. Whereas the first two games had you procedurally eliminating the three rival gangs and building up to a climatic fight with the gangs boss, Saints Row: the Third has you doing everything in a pretty much set order (You can choose which missions you do from your phone, however it's sometimes impossible to tell who you'll be going up against in the mission as there is no indication whatsoever).

    The game feels incredibly short compared to the previous two, as well. You seemingly destroy the enemy gangs within just a couple of missions against each. I hardly had any time to get to know the gangs, so it felt as if I was just shooting cardboard cut-outs the whole game. Throughout the game, the STAG refers to something called the Daedalus, which is a flying airbase (not that you'd know that if you had just played the games; the only reason I know is because it was featured in some videos that were released before the game) however it never actually shows up during the course of the game. Was it cut out to be released as DLC? Or was it my in game choices that caused it to never appear? Another thing that truly gets on my nerves is the day one DLC for this game. What was it, three-four piece of DLC?

    When all's said and done, this game was a huge disappointment for me. I had no doubts in my mind that this game would blow me away, and be one best games I've ever bought. I can't honestly say that's true, and that is a real shame.    … Expand
  26. ReaIistiC
    Oct 15, 2012
    3
    This is such a bad game, I loved Saints row 1, and 2 but this game is just so stupid. The shooting, graphics and storyline is just a complete disgrace. Got this game and traded it in a week later.
  27. WJR1986
    Nov 29, 2012
    3
    The most mediocre sandbox game ever. I hate this game so much. I played Saints Row 1 and 2 and loved them both but I cannot explain how disappointed I was with this game. Why so much SCI-FI rubbish? The linear levels you get thrown into too are just awful; visually and gameplay wise. Riding around stroking a tiger in the back seat of a car? seriously, this game is garbage.
  28. ccrogers15
    Jan 5, 2012
    1
    Many freezes, crashes, bugs and problems make this title a bad thing to get for $60. This game also has DLC, however, the DLC is already on disk. Also the bugs can cause major problems to your system. Stay clear and wait for the bargan bin. Dont get me wrong, its good, but not that good. I loved SR1 and 2 but this is NOT good. Also the stuff you may see on the case such as the man a pultMany freezes, crashes, bugs and problems make this title a bad thing to get for $60. This game also has DLC, however, the DLC is already on disk. Also the bugs can cause major problems to your system. Stay clear and wait for the bargan bin. Dont get me wrong, its good, but not that good. I loved SR1 and 2 but this is NOT good. Also the stuff you may see on the case such as the man a pult car is not in the game, its for pre order people.… Expand
  29. TooGoods
    Nov 19, 2011
    0
    The game is far too short and the DLC pack is a rip off for $20, it's worth is at least $5. It's best to buy this game when the price gets low to avoid disappointment. Would make a good bargain game for later instead of wasting your money now. Get Skyrim instead if money is tight, HOURS OF FUN!.
  30. chipe
    Nov 20, 2011
    0
    Holy Cod this is a horrible game. GTA with training wheels. No challenge or suspense whatsoever. Just a goofy and carelessly programmed sandbox game. However, there is one caveat: if you have the brain of a 6 year old, this game will provide almost limitless entertainment. Lots of colors and wacky stuff and "humor" geared towards hateful/depressed people and bigots in general.
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Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best PS3 Game of 2011
20
#20 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2011
63
#63 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 50 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 50
  3. Negative: 0 out of 50
  1. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Mar 6, 2012
    90
    So over the top it makes Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay look restrained. This is an absolute laugh riot throughout. [Dec 2011, p66]
  2. Worth Playing
    Jan 18, 2012
    90
    Saints Row: The Third is a video game, and it revels in that fact. Along with providing one of the best story modes of this hardware generation (complete with co-op), it comes with near-limitless ways for players to make their own fun when that story is exhausted, or when they want a break from the rollercoaster. These days, most video games do not live up to their original asking price. Saints Row: The Third does, and then some.
    Read full review
  3. Gamer.nl
    Jan 10, 2012
    80
    Saints Row is a playground for adults, a not so subtle satire of modern culture and entertainment. It's also the opposite of Grand Theft Auto. It's very rough around the edges, unfortunately, and isn't that much different from its predecessor. Still, it's proper fun.
    Read full review
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