The 2022 reboot's linear narrative (Virtuos/Deep Silver)

Lore & Background

In the 2022 reboot, the player steps into the role of a new Boss assembling a crew of misfits in a fictional metropolis that has fallen under the grip of entrenched criminal syndicates. The narrative is structured as a rising campaign: early acts establish the gang's identity and small-scale turf wars, while later acts escalate into full-scale assaults on rival strongholds, vehicle-based sieges, and a final confrontation that tests the cohesion of the entire crew. The tone blends the franchise's signature irreverent humor with a more grounded, character-driven throughline than the earlier entries.

The linear format means every major beat is authored as a sequence—there is no 'go do this side mission' detour. The city serves as a stage for these set pieces rather than a playground for optional content. This gives the story a pace closer to a heist film or a gang epic: each act raises the stakes, introduces new faction leaders, and forces the player to rely on their crew's specific roles. The co-op mode is not an afterthought; the narrative is written so that four players can experience the same scripted events together, with the AI filling in absent teammates.

The 'freedom-to-be-anything' philosophy runs beneath the linear structure. While the story path is fixed, the player's identity—gender, appearance, name, and personal style—is entirely self-determined from the character-creation screen onward. The game never prescribes who the Boss is beyond their role as gang leader, preserving the franchise's long-standing commitment to player self-expression even within a tightly scripted frame.

Reader's Guide

The 2022 Saints Row is built around a linear, act-based campaign. You progress through authored sequences—gunfights in narrow streets, vehicle chases through the city, large-scale assaults on rival compound—without the open-world mission board of The Third or IV. Each act introduces new objectives, new faction leaders, and set-piece moments that feel directed rather than sandboxed. The pacing is faster and more cinematic, trading exploration for momentum.

The co-op system is central, not optional. Up to four players can play the full narrative together; if a slot is empty, AI teammates fill in. This means the 'gang' identity is baked into every mission. You are not a lone hero clearing objectives—you are a crew executing a plan, with each member covering a different angle or role. The game's scripting assumes multiple players and rewards coordination.

The freedom-to-be-anything philosophy persists beneath the linear frame. Character creation lets you define the Boss's gender, appearance, and style with no narrative penalty. The story never overrides your identity; it simply places you in the leader's chair. The result is a game that feels like a heist film starring you and your friends, where the script is tight but the faces in the cast are yours to choose.

Did You Know?

• The 2022 reboot was developed by Virtuos, a studio known for porting and service work, marking a significant shift from the series' earlier in-house development at Volition.
• The linear, act-based structure was a deliberate departure from the open-world design of Saints Row: The Third (2011) and Saints Row IV (2013), prioritizing authored set-pieces over sandbox exploration.
• The 'freedom-to-be-anything' character-creation philosophy, a hallmark of the franchise since its early entries, was retained in the reboot despite the tighter narrative structure.