Saints Row: The Third

An extremely awesome and fun game, very replayable. 10/10

yes, i cheated at story mode. what you are gonna do abt it?

okay, so my goal when i make reviews is to make them totally unbiased, even if the game is a huge part of my childhood.

with that being said,
saints row: the third is one of the most outrageously fun open-world games ever made. it fully embraces chaos, humor, and player freedom in a way that few other games do. the story follows the 3rd street saints, a former street gang turned media empire, as they go to war with the syndicate, a powerful criminal organization that wants a cut of their success. the game is completely self-aware, throwing players into an absurd, action-packed narrative filled with hilarious dialogue, ridiculous scenarios, and some of the most unpredictable moments in gaming. from skydiving into a rival gang’s penthouse to fighting off military tanks in the streets of steelport, every mission feels unique and over-the-top.

one of the biggest strengths of saints row: the third is its insane level of customization. players can create absolutely any kind of protagonist they want, from a muscle-bound action hero to a walking fashion disaster in a hot dog costume. the sheer variety of options, including different voices (even a zombie growl), makes every playthrough feel personal. beyond character customization, the game allows players to modify their gang’s appearance, upgrade vehicles, and even deck out their headquarters in ridiculous ways. this freedom extends into gameplay as well, where players can choose how to approach missions, what weapons to use, and even whether to wreak havoc or take a slightly more strategic approach.

the gameplay itself is fast, fluid, and completely unhinged. the shooting mechanics feel great, and the game provides an arsenal of weapons that range from standard firearms to absurd choices like a giant purple dildo bat. the combat encourages creativity, rewarding players for taking down enemies in ridiculous ways. vehicles are just as diverse, with options ranging from sports cars and motorcycles to tanks and hover jets. the driving is smooth and arcade-like, making high-speed chases and stunt jumps incredibly fun. the game also features some of the most entertaining side activities ever put into an open-world game, including insurance fraud (where players throw themselves into traffic for cash), tank mayhem (where destruction is the goal), and professor genki’s super ethical reality climax (a twisted game show filled with deadly traps).

steelport, the game’s setting, is a vibrant and chaotic playground filled with rival gangs, absurd encounters, and endless opportunities for mayhem. while it may not be the most visually detailed open-world city compared to more recent games, it’s packed with personality. the city truly comes alive when the player starts causing destruction, with police, rival gangs, and even military forces responding to the escalating chaos. the presence of memorable characters adds to the experience, with fan favorites like johnny gat, kinzie kensington, and zimos (a pimp who speaks entirely in auto-tune) delivering hilarious dialogue and helping push the absurd narrative forward.

what really sets saints row: the third apart from other open-world games is its sheer dedication to fun. while many games focus on realism, this one throws realism out the window in favor of ridiculous, over-the-top action. every mission is designed to surprise the player, whether it’s a high-speed cyber heist, a wrestling match against a gang of masked luchadors, or an all-out war against futuristic assassins. the game also supports full co-op multiplayer, making the entire experience even more entertaining when played with a friend. pulling off insane stunts together, causing citywide destruction, or just messing around with the game’s ridiculous mechanics makes for some of the best co-op fun in gaming history.

even years after its original release, saints row: the third remains one of the most enjoyable open-world games ever made. the remastered edition brings improved visuals and performance, making it the best way to experience this classic. while some open-world games have come and gone, few have matched the sheer joy, humor, and insanity that this game offers. with its fantastic customization, explosive gameplay, hilarious writing, and unpredictable missions, saints row: the third is an absolute must-play for anyone looking for a game that prioritizes fun over everything else. it’s a masterpiece of open-world mayhem, and it still stands as one of the greatest sandbox games of all time.

Can't open the DX11 version and all my saves are gone also I can't create new ones because it keeps telling me that I don't have enough storage. Don't buy it.

it just shows a blank image making so i can play and does not let me refund

this game is amazing, my first hour playing this i loved it, the UI is pure eye candy, especially the NLM store 🙃
i understand why people might not like it as its been said many times, this is where saints row kinda fell off and died in a hole, but this game is fun, i really enjoyed playing this and 100 percenting it :) ofc theres the average jank to the game but i didnt need a patch for this to work nicely, i did experience a bug where the esc menu didnt appear or disappear which meant i had to restart my game, but that seemingly went away after some time! all in all, this game looks nice and is nice anddd, theres plenty of content especially with this one having achievements compared to SR2.

Go beat black Barbie doll looking creatures on the street with your massive rod on a stick in reminiscence of J Gatty

Look, I MUCH prefer Saints Row 2 to this one, but lets be real here, Saints Row 3 is pretty good still. Sure the city is lifeless, it feels odd, and there's no challenge in the game basically whatsoever, but it's still fine enough.

Rating: 8/10

Overview: Saints Row: The Third, developed by Volition, is a chaotic, over-the-top open-world action-adventure game that pushes the boundaries of the genre with its outlandish humor, absurd combat, and larger-than-life world. Released in 2011, it is the third installment in the Saints Row series, continuing the story of the Saints, a gang that has risen to the top of the criminal underworld and now runs the city of Steelport. The game is known for its wild, exaggerated gameplay and comedic tone, offering a stark contrast to the more serious, gritty nature of other open-world games, such as the Grand Theft Auto series.

Story: The story of Saints Row: The Third picks up after the events of Saints Row 2, with the Third Street Saints now a global brand. The gang has gone mainstream, and the members are living large as pop culture icons. However, when they try to pull off a heist in the city of Steelport, they encounter the Syndicate, a powerful criminal organization led by a group of eccentric and dangerous individuals.

The plot is a fun, ridiculous ride that involves heists, betrayals, and full-on warfare with the Syndicate. Throughout the game, players take on the role of the leader of the Saints as they battle for control of the city. The story is filled with absurdity, goofy characters, and over-the-top moments, making it a refreshing take on the open-world crime genre. It's more about embracing the chaos than presenting a serious narrative, and that’s part of its charm.

Gameplay: Saints Row: The Third delivers an action-packed, chaotic experience with a blend of exploration, combat, and customization. The game takes place in the city of Steelport, a sprawling open-world environment full of missions, side activities, and plenty of mayhem to indulge in.

The core of the gameplay is mission-based, with a mix of driving, shooting, and combat sequences. The game includes a variety of weapons, from traditional guns to absurd weapons like the "Octopus Cannon" and the "Penetrator," a giant dildo used as a melee weapon. The combat system is straightforward, allowing players to engage in intense firefights and beatdowns on foot or in vehicles.

The game encourages complete destruction, offering a range of activities that let players wreak havoc in the city. There are activities like vehicle theft, gang wars, and “Insurance Fraud” (where players throw themselves in front of cars to rack up money for injuries). These activities are both entertaining and serve to improve your abilities, providing an incentive to explore the world and have fun.

Customization is another key feature, as players can customize the protagonist’s appearance, clothing, and even vehicles. The game lets you change nearly every aspect of your character’s look, from their hairstyle to their wardrobe, allowing for a high level of personal expression.

The driving mechanics are fun and arcadey, with a variety of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, tanks, and even aircraft, adding to the variety of gameplay. The game also has a healthy amount of flying and driving missions, but they are often more about fun than precision.

The sheer amount of content in Saints Row: The Third is impressive. Between the main story missions, side activities, and challenges, there’s an abundance of things to do. The game allows for a lot of creative expression and experimentation, which is a big part of what makes it so enjoyable.

Graphics and Performance: For a game released in 2011, Saints Row: The Third holds up well in terms of visuals. The character models are detailed, and the city of Steelport is vibrant and full of life. The game has a distinct art style that complements its over-the-top tone, with exaggerated proportions and colorful environments that add to the fun.

The game’s performance is generally smooth, but some players may experience occasional issues with frame rate drops, especially in areas with a lot of explosions or chaos. However, on modern systems, the game should run well with little to no performance problems.

Audio Design: The audio design in Saints Row: The Third is just as outlandish as its visuals and gameplay. The game features a diverse soundtrack with a variety of music genres, including rock, hip-hop, and electronic. The radio stations in the cars provide a fun and immersive experience while driving around the city.

The voice acting is one of the game’s highlights. The protagonist’s humorous dialogue and the interactions with the supporting cast are hilarious and add to the game’s lighthearted nature. The villains, like the Syndicate members, are equally memorable with their exaggerated personalities and over-the-top performances.

Sound effects are also well done, with explosions, gunfire, and vehicular carnage filling the soundscape. The audio helps amplify the action and chaos, making every firefight and explosion feel satisfying.

Challenges: Saints Row: The Third is not particularly difficult, with the main challenge coming from the absurd and chaotic nature of the combat and the over-the-top missions. Some players may find the repetitive nature of certain side activities a bit tiring, but the variety in gameplay ensures that the experience remains fresh. The difficulty can be adjusted, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

Some players might also find that the lack of a deep or serious narrative weakens the experience. While the game is undoubtedly fun, the story can sometimes feel like an excuse for the chaos rather than a driving force. However, this is very much by design, as the focus is on the fun, not the seriousness.

Final Thoughts: Saints Row: The Third is a standout in the open-world action genre, offering a chaotic and entertaining experience that embraces fun and absurdity over realism and seriousness. Its mix of action, humor, and customization allows for hours of wild gameplay, whether you're following the main story or simply causing mayhem in the streets. The game’s exaggerated style, creative weapons, and humorous tone make it a joy to play, especially for those looking for a more lighthearted, action-packed experience.

Pros:

Highly entertaining and absurd gameplay
Tons of customization options for your character and vehicles
Fun and engaging combat with a variety of weapons
A large, open world with plenty of activities and side missions
Humorous story with memorable characters and villains
Fun, arcade-style driving mechanics
Cons:

Some repetitive side activities
Lack of a serious narrative may be off-putting for some
Occasional performance issues, especially in chaotic moments
Saints Row: The Third is an absolute blast for players who want an open-world game filled with over-the-top action, humor, and chaotic fun. It’s not a game that takes itself seriously, and that’s exactly what makes it so enjoyable. If you're looking for a wild ride with plenty of laughs, this is definitely a game worth picking up.

Good ole gem, had a lovely time with the homie. Feels like its gotten even buggier over the years.

Was fun on PS, and still fun to replay on Steam!

Game good. This version is barely playable in 2025 on a modern PC.

Fun game to play with a friend in a co-op

Awesome game but Co-op is currently unplayable.

If you wanna play with a friend buy the remaster instead, otherwise stick with the OG.

I came back to this store page over a decade after its release and when I played it just to say that after finishing the remaster, this is the one to buy. Remaster is bug ridden dog shit, this one not so much.

I like this better than the second one, maybe because I played it in childhood. It's GTA with more goofy shit, it's really different than the second one, and there's a co-op mode. It's a goat.

buying this to get a free Payday 2 suit

Played through the entire thing with a friend, and I gotta say, after all these years of playing it, this was still amazing. The story of Walter White (My Friend) and his Demon Friend (Me) was something.

Saints Row: The Third takes players back into the outrageous and chaotic world of the Saints, a once-feared street gang turned global celebrity. Set in the fictional city of Steelport, the story follows the Saints as they attempt to maintain their newfound fame while facing off against a powerful criminal syndicate known as the Morningstar. The gang must navigate a series of wild, over-the-top challenges involving rival gangs, corrupt officials, and bizarre encounters as they try to reclaim their turf and establish their dominance once again. With its trademark irreverent humour and eccentric gameplay, this instalment serves as a continuation of the franchise's legacy, albeit with a distinct shift in tone and style.

Positives

• Funny Story: The narrative is packed with hilarious moments, absurd situations, and over-the-top characters that keep players entertained throughout the game. It blends humour with action perfectly, offering a light-hearted experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
  
• Nice Character Customisation: One of the standout features is the extensive character customisation options. Players can create their own unique Saints, adjusting everything from physical appearance to clothing and even voice. This level of personalization allows players to immerse themselves in the game and truly feel like part of the Saints.
  
• Great Weapon Variety: The game boasts an impressive arsenal of weapons, ranging from traditional firearms to outlandish options like the 'Penetrator' (a giant dildo bat). This variety keeps combat fresh and entertaining, encouraging players to experiment with different styles of play.
  
• Addictive Mini Games: Saints Row: The Third includes a plethora of engaging mini-games that provide a fun diversion from the main storyline. Whether it's racing, hacking, or engaging in bizarre activities like insurance fraud, these mini-games add depth and replayability to the overall experience.
  

Negatives

• Departure from the Series' Roots: One of the most significant drawbacks is the shift away from the core themes of the Saints Row series. The franchise originally offered a blend of humour and the gritty realities of gang life, but this instalment leans heavily into a wacky, outlandish tone that feels disconnected from the franchise’s origins.
  
• Loss of Character Depth: The characters, once portrayed as funny yet tragic figures, have transformed into mere goofballs. This change diminishes the emotional weight of the story and strips away the complexity that made the characters relatable and engaging in previous titles.
  
• Abandonment of Interesting Plot Points: The narrative feels like a soft reboot, moving away from the intriguing plot developments of earlier games. The story lacks the depth and engagement that fans had come to expect, leaving many plot threads unresolved or ignored altogether.
  
[*]Overall Tone Shift: The attempt to capture the chaotic spirit of the previous games results in a loss of the genuine gang lifestyle portrayal. This tonal shift may alienate long-time fans who appreciated the balance of humour and seriousness in the earlier instalments.

Conclusion

Horribly Optimized. Looks fun but stutters make it unplayable

Pretty goated game, cool missions. I grew attached to the "STAG" faction because of their sick equipment and vehicles. But its sad the downfall of this series started here.

its a good game but its a little too wacky compared to what came before it since the devs were tired of being called a gta clone, and it feels a little too over the top to me even in the first 40 mins, also the framerate is kinda all over the place like one second it goes from 120 to 80fps or so randomly while driving, if you can get past all the minor issues in this game then it seems to be pretty alright, just not my thing

This game is too classic not to play multiple times. I've played through the entire game at least three times back in the Xbox 360 days. While dated, I would give this game a 10/10 even in 2025.

oh yeah, "Saints Row" is my absolute favorite series, which in my opinion deserves much more attention than it gets. I know, some people claim it being just a cheeky GTA-Clone, but I can't entirely agree with that. Yes, the gameplay is very similar, but while "GTA" is a satire about modern society, "Saints Row" is a satire about the entire pop culture. That somehow makes it to something bigger in mind, even with a smaller world. In addition it offers charakter editing including males and females, a more fluent gameplay and really funny and trashy humour. And "Saints Row: The Third" to me is the perfection of all that and always will be. the biggest surprise to me however is how smoothly it plays on Steam Deck! From that point I would call it the best version I've ever played. And I must say that I still prefer this original version to the remastered one, because not everything became better than before. Especially Shaundi in my opinion has a much more beautiful look here, and the character modells on the editing screen don't look as creepy as in the remaster. But that's just my personal opinion. The game itself still is the same, thank god, and it doesn't matter which one You choose! I for my part am committed to The SaintsRow-series and support it with all possibilities.

How does this game even sometimes? like what?



Psychological torture the video game, play with a friend to activate extra hard mode

This game is a lost cause. I was able to get it to launch once, and then the game immediately froze on the main menu and will not launch again despite hours of troubleshooting.

I often describe this series as insane, and it is. In a good way though.

Saints Row 1 & 2 are often compared to Grand Theft Auto due to the style of game, but the series really fits into its own niche. The first two games of the series were closer to GTA, but even they never took themselves too seriously.

SR3 takes itself even less seriously than those first couple though. At times SR3 arguably takes it too far and borders on whacky, but it remains fun throughout. It's kind of like the Fast & Furious movie franchise where each subsequent movie just gets more and more over the top. SR3 mostly finds a nice balance between the completely random and whacky scenarios while still paying homage to the more "gangster" origins of the first couple of games.

The story is actually pretty interesting to follow, especially some of the side characters. Lots of fun little mini games to occupy your time too.

Just a very fun experience.

Game will not startup and despite countless time spent trying to troubleshoot the issue, I only got the game to launch the intro and then an instant crash. From what I have read on other threads, some people manage to get past this issue but for me it hasn't worked so I would keep this in mind if you are considering buying this game. - 0/10 would not recommend!

Old, but gold. Kind of a knock-off GTA, but it has this ''in your face'' action non-stop. It's not as developed as GTA at all, but a nice game for sure

Game has a lot of issues but it is still one of a kind and still better than SR4.

The Steam Clown Award is an absolutely stupid concept. It serves no real purpose other than to belittle and shame people, offering no constructive value whatsoever. Instead of encouraging positive feedback or meaningful critique, it just reinforces a culture of mockery and pointless trolling. The whole idea is absurd—it’s not even a genuine award, just a ridiculous label meant to humiliate. The fact that it’s even taken seriously by some people is baffling, as it contributes nothing but negativity. In a space where feedback and improvement should be prioritized, the Steam Clown Award is just a senseless, juvenile distraction that serves no beneficial function.

Anyways... best saints row IMO, better than the second one... its GTA if your playing while on crack and acid

Better than any game I've played in the last 10 years but very unstable to the point it crashes every hour. Running max settings at 120fps and randomly drops to 10fps and freezes for several seconds every 10 minutes.

The game broke the rules of the GTA world in terms of madness and funny stupidity. It's an enjoyable, beautiful, and very funny game, especially when you play with your friends.

aints Row 3 cranks up the fun with over-the-top action and outrageous humor. The vibrant world and wild missions create a unique and unforgettable gaming experience!

Man. I wish companies still made games this big, this silly, and this tongue-in-cheek.
However, I will settle for people making games under 10 gb that are this big.

Will no longer launch unfortunately :(

When you find out that you’ll have to use DirectX 9 to get the game going (and other possible tweaks), you will have the time of your life.

Once upon a time, games were consistently like this where you can tell the developers had fun and poured loads of creativity into a game to keep the player engaged. I find myself constantly getting sidetracked from the main story as there are loads of side missions that will gain you cash and respect that you can use for your upgrades. Most missions are different and will often offer different challenges and environments to keep you guessing. The missions are never long, and the game is easy to pop in and out of.

You can customize your character, gang, weapons, vehicles, and abilities for those of you who find enjoyment in an easy grind for upgrades. I just recommend the damn game.

An absolute masterpiece of a game!


Developers, testers, designers, artists, writers, composers have come together to create a product, that I am proud to call not just a product, but a True Game in every sense of the word. This is how a game made out of love looks and feels!

There's already much more complex reviews out there than mine, in video or text format, which underline every aspect of the game, ranging from the development process to deep analyses on story and gameplay, however I cannot but mention some opinions of my own.

The humour is completely over the top, in the most positive way possible, and the absurdity of the events portrayed is simply hilarious, plenty of times managing to get chuckles out of the player. Of course that these are characteristics that define the entire franchise, but the third installment took it into a more unrealistic approach and I think it was the best of choices, this is exactly what the series needed, a breath of fresh air and relaxation; but I can totally understand the people who would've wanted the series to move in a more realistic direction too, all the while keeping the exaggeration, and I do think that is what the sequel should have done, transition progressively and combine both depictions. Because what is too much after all is, indeed, too much and that is why this series ends with this game for me.

I also found the writing to be pretty good and the gameplay satisfying. And it is surprisingly stable as well, so thorough testing has been performed, for which I am proud of, but of course, nothing is perfect...

It is also one of my childhood games, I was 9 when I first played Saints Row 3 at launch, and I must admit that some scenes made no sense to me as a child and so it was both funny and nostalgic to get through this game and actually finish it this time.

Thank you for reading!


An absolute masterpiece of a game!

Better in 2025 than any decade-plus-year old game this mindless has any right to be.

I really love this game, but i do not like how it got dumber and dumber......like Saints Row 3 was already like, on the edge of extreme stupid, i love it still, but then the DLC's and Saints IV really went balls deep.....maybe thats personal but suit yourself.

---{ Graphics }---
☐ You forget what reality is
☐ Beautiful
☐ Good
☑ Decent
☐ Bad
☐ Don‘t look too long at it
☐ MS-DOS

---{ Gameplay }---
☐ Very good
☐ Good
☑ It's just gameplay
☐ Mehh
☐ Watch paint dry instead
☐ Just don't

---{ Audio }---
☐ Eargasm
☐ Very good
☑ Good
☐ Not too bad
☐ Bad
☐ I'm now deaf

---{ Audience }---
☐ Kids
☑ Teens
☑ Adults
☐ Grandma

---{ PC Requirements }---
☐ Check if you can run paint
☐ Potato
☑ Decent (has some lag spikes)
☐ Fast
☐ Rich boi
☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer

---{ Game Size }---
☐ Floppy Disk
☐ Old Fashioned
☑ Workable
☐ Big
☐ Will eat 10% of your 1TB hard drive
☐ You will want an entire hard drive to hold it
☐ You will need to invest in a black hole to hold all the data

---{ Difficulty }---
☐ Just press 'W'
☑ Easy
☐ Easy to learn / Hard to master
☐ Significant brain usage
☐ Difficult
☐ Dark Souls

---{ Grind }---
☐ Nothing to grind
☐ Only if u care about leaderboards/ranks
☑ Isn't necessary to progress
☐ Average grind level
☐ Too much grind
☐ You'll need a second life for grinding

---{ Story }---
☐ No Story
☑ Some lore
☐ Average
☐ Good
☐ Lovely
☐ It'll replace your life

---{ Game Time }---
☐ Long enough for a cup of coffee
☐ Short
☑ Average
☐ Long
☐ To infinity and beyond

---{ Price }---
☐ It's free!
☐ Worth the price
☑ If it's on sale
☐ If u have some spare money left
☐ Not recommended
☐ You could also just burn your money

---{ Bugs }---
☐ Never heard of
☐ Minor bugs
☑ Can get annoying
☐ ARK: Survival Evolved
☐ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs

---{ ? / 10 }---
☐ 1
☐ 2
☐ 3
☐ 4
☐ 5
☐ 6
☐ 7
☐ 8
☑ 9
☐ 10

Horrible optimization like the rest of the saints row games. Do not buy this if you're not willing to get a headache from trying to run this.

Banger game, has its issues (bugs, especially in co-op) but the charm is greater than the issues presented

This is a really fun game that makes me think of Grand Theft Auto. Its use of firearms and gang rivalries creates a stimulating dynamic. Also, the plot is captivating and keeps you interested!

Saints Row such an underrated franchise of a game bruh. I've played this game in both PC and Console and i can never get tired of this game. i kept on coming back playing The first Saints row to Saints row Gat out of hell although Saints Row The Third and Saints Row 2 are my favourite. It's very GTA but unique in its own way and the story & quest are fun!

Highly recommend people to play it!

I love this game but it literally just stopped working for me. Played for 2 hours and tried to come back about a month later and now it just wont launch at all. I cant recommend anybody buy this in its current state.

A really good game! If you like GTA games, im sure you'll like this game aswell.

it plays fine until i close the game than wont start again without crashing its annoying

great silly fun! however definitely avoid the remastered version, it runs and looks like crap

This game is old but good, There are some bugs but are minor and not consistent through the game.

крутая игра! можно с ноги влететь женщине в лицо, рекомендую!