Saints Row: The Third

The complete realization of everything this franchise has set out to do. Yes it's ludicrous and lewd, but it's also a joy to play, a streamlined sandbox that hooks the fun directly into your veins.

An experience unlike any other. It never takes itself too seriously, it remembers that games should be fun and they should entertain. It's not that any particular part stands out above the other, rather, on the whole, everything is just downright awesome. The character creator alone warrants multiple playthroughs and the story is literally only half the game.

Saints Row: The Third is a game that takes everything that's fun about gaming and turns it up to eleven.

Feels like a game whose designers have found the note-perfect tone for the series while also wielding their own talents with razor-sharp precision. It's the game Volition - a studio whose successes go back 15 years to the original Descent - was born to make.

Saints Row: The Third is the ultimate sandbox, and Volition has given gamers a massive playground and the biggest and best set of toys possible to carve their own unique destiny in Steelport, both in the engaging single player story and the limitless fun waiting to be shared in the co-op game.

Volition has fully released grips on this one, letting the player do literally whatever they want as they complete missions and wreak havoc in the city. The presentation is the best yet for the series, and though the lack of competitive multiplayer may be a turn off for some, the inclusion of Whored Mode, Survival waves and co-op more than makes up for its omission. This is one of the wildest gaming experiences you'll have this year.

An incredibly fun experience that fans of the series will have a blast with. The new diversions and ridiculousness like Professor Genki's stuff just appeals to the crowd. Never once will you take this game seriously, and you shouldn't, but when it grabs you it never lets go until you are simply done having fun. I was never frustrated at the game. If I failed a mission I simply went back in and did something more bizarre, which is the beauty of Saints Row. As long as you know that going in, you will have a blast. I can't recommend this game enough, though. It simply defines what it means to have fun playing games.

It's a soothing respite from GTA's pompous self-seriousness and subtle social commentary, because it never takes itself seriously. Sarcasm aside, SRTT is remarkably adept at balancing Naked Gun-style zaniness with a joyriding celebration of gory headshots, radiant explosions, and consequence-free carjacking.

Saints Row: The Third doesn't give a crap about precious modern design with its storyworlds, complex strategy-based gameplay systems, and magniloquent commentaries on the state of humanity. All it cares about is showing you a good time-how you want it, when you want it, and where you want it. It's instant gratification for days on end. I don't know about you, but I'm already sold on Saints Row: The Fourth.

SR3 contains a lot off the wall violence that'll satiate your need for random video game fun for a number of hours. It's bookended by great opening and closing moments, and topped off by a competent co-op mode. You'll devote more time to the game than just the story fueled segments, and SR3 will certainly keep you interested past the end credits scroll.

The game may not be a technical marvel nor does it masterfully tells a compelling story but as a fun action game, it excels. If you are looking for a fun diversion and are not easily offended, I highly recommend that you check out Saints Row: The Third.

The Third is probably the funniest sandbox of this generation. It required three games, but finally Saints Row shows its true face.

THQ and Volition didn't just "press out" another sequel. It could have been very easy to mix in just a few new things to validate a new purchase for Saints or sandbox fans. Instead, they took the initiative, and have finally created a game that they have wanted to do since 2006 with the first one: push "open world" to the next level.

On the surface Saint Row: The Third is another open world GTA clone, but scratch that surface and you are introduced to a game that does everything it can not to take itself seriously and is the perfect partner to the more straight faced games that are out there

Saints Row: The Third doesn't play like recent THQ efforts have -- all bark and no bite -- but instead feels like a labor of love. It feels like the developers had fun, and they wanted you to feel it too. And I promise, you will.

A glorious example of how much fun there is to be had when you let rip with both barrels. Screw reality - ridiculous overblown madness like this is exactly why video games are so great. Thanks for justifying our pastime, Volition.

Saints Row keeps getting better with age, or should I say, with the element of "crazy." More intense, more chaotic, more bizarre; Saints Row: The Third offers up a sandbox of celebrity driven gangsters caught in the ultimate gang war.

There were some issues to be found here and there, but most of these unscripted bits of broken action make the game better and funnier - even if they are bugs - and make the whole thing an intensely amusing, high-octane action game that makes it seem like the whole engine's barely holding up, but it's generally doing just fine.

Steelport is a glorious sandbox with fun around every corner and the well-written story and easy-to-use design make Saints Row 3 a fantastic package.

As much as the game made me laugh, it wouldn't deserve such high praise without solid gameplay at its core. It may be easy to get distracted by the nonsense occurring onscreen, but Saints Row: The Third is thrilling as an action game. Missions vary wildly, and they're almost all bombastic, popcorn-movie affairs.

On the surface Saints Row: The Third may seem just like a violent, over the top video game without any substance, but that is far from the truth. I quickly found the game is not only extremely violent and insanely fun, but it also carries an interesting and fairly compelling story.

The game makes you feel like a badass from the word go, and it just gets even more out of control as things progress. Sure, there are some hiccups graphically, and sometimes things can be a little clunky mechanically, but there is no doubt that Saints Row The Third is crazy fun from start to finish.

With the industry taking itself more and more seriously, Volition thumbs its nose at convention and gives you one hell of a ride. Expect that to escalate once you grab a buddy and hit co-op - just take my advice and keep friendly fire off, even if you're a masochist.

Saints Row: The Third maintains the collaborative efforts of Volition Inc. and THQ while moving way beyond the foundation of the first two Saints Row titles.

Excessive, vulgar, absurd, ultra-violent, embarassing: Saints Row: The Third's charme resides in its uniquely ironic and ill-mannered style, but supported by strong structure and gameplay.

Like Saints Row II, but bigger. The game concentrates on giving you fun, which helps mask some of the flaws. Saints Row: The Third may not have a huge improvement in terms of mechanics over its predecessors, but it is far more fun.

It is not a revolution for sandbox games, but it makes the most of their possibilities to make crazy and fun things, in an open world full of cool and bizarre features. Those who are looking for a compelling story should consider other games, but Saints Row: The Third is the best in providing crazy fun.

The Third keeps everything that made the first two Saint's Row funny games, and twists it even more to achieve the best game in the series.

For all of its crude and juvenile content, it's a hell of a lot of fun - albeit shameful fun. Sometimes we tend to take videogames a bit too seriously and, although this game probably goes too far in the other direction, you can't discredit Volition for letting loose.

Saints Row: The Third goes back to the roots of gaming. It is pure fun and doesn't take itself too serious. If you want a cool game that does not involve complex storylines, then Saints Row: The Third is a must have.

The Jersey Shore of videogames: fake, stupid, garish and endlessly amusing in a terrible and compulsive way. You'll hate yourself for loving it, but it won't stop you from coming back for more.

Despite its flaws, Saints Row: The Third succeeds because of its mandate to focus on fun. The story may not be epic and the graphics may not be mind blowing, but when all is said and done, Saints Row: The Third probably has more "holy sh*t!" moments than any other game currently on the market. Combine this with a twisted sense of humor, and you have a recipe for success.

With the holiday calendar chock full of titles, Saints Row: The Third stands out as a holiday retreat, to be sampled again and again whenever a healthy dose of stress relief is required.

All in all, Saints Row: The Third is a ridiculously fun game, giving you a good 30 hours of main story activity for a run through.

Saints Row: The Third does deliver what players are looking for when they purchase the title. It can be said that the developers poured over the game design and completely removed anything that would be considered boring or tedious, and replaced it with pure amoral mayhem.

Saints Row The Third is a tremendous amount of fun.

As interesting as it was Saints Row 2, but fueled with a new hilarious storyline and a few additions that makes it bigger, better and funnier than its predecessors.

Fantastic missions, outrageous weapons, and awesome vehicles make the open-world mayhem of Saints Row: The Third an absolute blast.

Saints Row: The Third gives the people what they want and drops us into an open world adult theme park where we can treat ourselves to delightful acts of bloodshed and perversion. It doesn't take itself too seriously and only asks that you don't, either.

Volition gets many things right in Saints Row: The Third in what is no doubt a fine sequel, but it's very much a case of sequelitis for the THQ franchise. The zany and over-the-top nature, well-written script and whole host of sandbox toys are held back ever so slightly by the oddly paced and repetitive proceedings of the game's main story.

Volition shows that you can still have a great deal of enjoyment from an arcade-style romp that relies more on giving players the tools to create a good time than it does on recreating the world we all currently live in.

Part parody of open world sandbox games and part political satire, Saints Row: The Third is easily the craziest, most over-the-top action game of the year. The game is constantly throwing original ideas at you, all while you're unearthing a timely story about the government's overreaction to gang violence. The non-stop weirdness does get tiring at times, but that won't keep you from having a great time playing THQ's newest action game!

Lackluster side-content notwithstanding, Saints Row: The Third is so crazy and over-the-top that you can't go wrong with this game -- provided that you're the sort that would appreciate the game's knowingly juvenile sense of humor.

Despite my gripes with the multiplayer options, the 10-to-12-hour campaign's still very much worth the price of admission, and it needs to be seen to be believed-trust me, this game's done more than enough to earn its "M" rating from the ESRB.

The third installment of the Saints Row series is totally without rhyme or reason. The gags are good but the shooting and the AI are bad. The Anarchy-Action is nevertheless a game with the most iconic weapons and vehicles.

Saints Row: The Third is the best sandbox game I've played in a long while. There's no realism, no seriousness whatsoever, just completely mental and over-the-top fun. If that's not your thing then this game is definitely not for you. If you like outlandish fun however, give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

Saints Row: The Third is a consistently thrilling and addictive streak through the sandbox genre's most popular avenues, even if it is as shallow as the 'GTL' lifestyle it strives to promote.

Pubertal and over the top sandbox gaming that is just a lot of fun to play.

A superb "playground" for adults, that takes the gameplay from previous entries in the franchise and lifts it to new heights.

Saints Row: The Third is a love letter to gamers who enjoy crazy, over-the-top, and downright absurd action.

The Beavis & Butt-Head, Jackass and Jersey Shore of video games is back, and it's just as crazy and tasteless as ever. And in a good way too. Only minor problems with controls and somewhat dated graphics prevents higher grades.

Saints Row revises its structure and reduces its sandbox angle in favor of a more coherent and polished world and gameplay experience. The campaign missions are packed with fun, surprises, and new stuff, and worthy of praise on their own. Even though one will feel a little less free and overwhelmed with stuff to do than with the previous episode, the trade-off is worthwhile.

Perhaps doesn't feel quite as fresh as its predecessor in certain ways, but in others it kicks everything up a notch. It's certainly a better game, just for those of us who played the last game to death, there's not quite as much here to wow us. But the campaign is by far the best of the three, and even with the reused Activities and slightly familiar feel, Saints Row remains one of gaming's best, most enjoyable and most ludicrous playgrounds. It's not big, it's not clever, but it sure is a huge amount of fun.

Ceaselessly crass and juvenile it may be, but then Saints Row: The Third has no higher purpose than to entertain you in the most ridiculous way possible - though that in itself is a lofty ambition. Its surprisingly clever and thoughtful design ensures that it succeeds – and then some. It is, as I said before, very smart at being stupid.

Technically the best game in the series so far, but not as refreshing as Saints Row 2 due to a slight shortage of new ideas. Remains a fun alternative to GTA, though. [Issue#78, p.67]

With all of these things in mind, I respect that Saints Row: The Third might not be a game for everyone. Specifically, those who do not find joy in the act of inflicting terrible, fiery, dildo-y pain on whatever innocent polygonal creature happens to wander too close to their personal blast zone will probably not get much out of Saints Row's unrelenting dedication to preposterous anarchy. It is a game specifically designed for annihilation junkies, those who can embrace the idea of an infantile playground of seemingly infinite obliterative pleasures. For those who prefer their games a tad less absurdly--perhaps needlessly--violent, any number of other games this fall will likely suit your fancy just fine.

It's juvenile, it occasionally objectionable (I'm sorry, I just don't like blasting away at bikini models, even if they are trying to kill me too) and sometimes after playing I feel like I should go take a shower. But I can't remember a game I've played recently that was so dedicated to letting the gamer have as much fun as possible any way they want to. And when it comes to having fun, Saints Row: The Third is like a big party that you don't want to see stop.

The big issue I have with Saints Row: The Third is that it doesn't feel like its content, varied though it may be, has much of a purpose outside of the main campaign. The open world really seems to exist more as a way to prolong the experience by forcing a player to travel to the origin point for the next mission rather than simply having it begin outright.

Shining novelties fueled by base guffaws quickly devolve into gimmicks. No one is expecting War and Peace to play out in the streets of Stilwater. What you should reasonably expect, and what Saints Row: The Third fails to deliver, is a clever Mad Magazine parody, something more than a middle school mentality expressed with a high budget. What you get is a sandbox game that's fun for a spell, but one that you'll outgrow pretty fast.

When all has been blown up and collected, Saints Row: The Third is a fun romp that doesn't take itself too seriously, made up with memorable extrusions of pop-culture.

Some amazing moments, some truly abysmal. Saints Row is wildly imaginative but the lack of technical polish and the weak combat mar the creativity. [Feb 2012, p.100]

It's certainly not high-art then, but Saints Row: The Third is a welcome distraction. [Christmas 2011, p.112]

Saints Row: The Third has both highs and lows. The freedom, entertaining sillyness and some good ideas are held back by what too often is a tasteless, repetitive and mindless game. While the flawed controls and lack of technical polish frustrates further, there is certainly a lot of fun to be had with the over the top action, not least in the online co-op mode.

The pacing does slow at points, undermining the constant destructive anarchy that the game strives to achieve to some extent, but there's loads to see and do. If you think you can handle, or enjoy, the crass tone and humour, then you'll have a blast with this; if not, best avoid it.

There are traces of that excess here, but they arrive too late and change the formula too little to really make a meaningful difference. It's still a cynical slice of dirty fun, but the most damning aspect of Saints Row: The Third is that where the all-important lulz are concerned, there's precious little here that you couldn't already do in Saints Row 2.

Some amazing moments... and some truly abysmal ones. Saints Row: The Third is wildly imaginative and frequently entertaining, but a lack of technical polish and weak combat overshadow its achievements.

A game that aimed to be the most outrageous chapter of the series has ended up, if anything, as the least remarkable.

Saint's Row: The Third sets out with a great ambition of giving the player freedom and an arsenal of fun elements to play with. Unfortunately, though, the game still falls a bit short with a somewhat childish sense of humour and quirky game mechanics.