I've been meaning to get to a review of this game for a while now, but lacked the time, and energy. Saints Row has come a long way from being the crappy GTA clone it was way back in 2006.

7 years later, it is something much grander, a standalone franchise that you can't truly compare to GTA. It is its own genre, it has its own life. Wherein GTA is an open world game where you are part of the world, and you go through basic criminal jobs, in Saints Row, you ARE the world, and no mission is ever sane.

Having been part of the massive THQ bankruptcy plot of late 2012, early 2013, the Saints Row IP was acquired by Deep Silver. This gave many pause, as Deep Silver has had a less than stellar track record on their own... luckily, Volition was reupped to develop the game. And with no major time constraints, Saints Row IV was a go.

Graphics - 7
There's nothing too impressive about Saints Row IV's graphics, as most things you see are a direct copy of Saints Row the Third with minor touchups. And when I say a direct copy, I mean they literally took the world of the previous game, and installed it into the world of Saints Row IV to be the main hub for your adventure. Despite this, the world does look a touch better, though that might just be because going at super speed makes everything look cooler. What is new to this game are a few character models (most of which are aliens), new clothing options, and whatever they chose for each super power.

Sound - 9
There is a lot to say about the soundtrack of IV. They managed to pull down an impressive 109 licensed songs, as well as developing about 40 tracks of their own. Some of the licensed music is downright terrible (though this is more because of personal taste), and some of it is nostalgic and freaking awesome. Some noteworthy tunes that you'll hear as you zip around Steelport, and jump around like an idiot (because unlike last game, music is no longer limited to just cars, thanks to the nature of the game) are Paula Abdul's "Opposites Attract", Men Without Hats' "The Safety Dance", Haddaway's "What Is Love", Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing", and Biz Markie's "Just A Friend". Those songs listed are all just part of one radio station in the game (it was also the one I listened to most, as you may gather).

But the music isn't the only place this game shines, we get the marvelous voice acting work of Troy Baker as the generic protagonist, or if you are adventurous, and want to have fun (like me) you can go with the voice option "Nolan North" which, believe it or not, is voice by THE Nolan North. Also, JB Blanc does a magnificent job of playing the role of Emperor Zinyak, and pulls off the act very convincingly (for a Saints Row game, which can never be convincing otherwise). Also making an appearance in voice acting are professional wrestlers Christopher Daniels, Rob Van Dam, and Rowdy Roddy Piper (who actually appears as himself). The star power behind this game is incredible, given the budget concerns they had going in.

Addictiveness - 8
Ultimately, one can't take Saints Row seriously if they want to have fun. The story isn't cerebral, the difficulty is so low a toddler could beat it, the jokes are inane and inappropriate, and nothing about the game would normally make you scream blockbuster. But once you turn your brain off, and prepare to just enjoy the experience, it's very rewarding. I had my reservations going into the game, since super powers were a main selling point, and I've never been a fan of super-powered video games. However, all expectations and fears were blown away once I realized just how much fun it was to run at super speed, jump across the map in a single bound, and light random pedestrians on fire, then toss them at tanks. Honestly, super powers and Saints Row are a match made in heaven, and one I can't believe I wasn't excited for.

From beginning to end, the game grips you and makes sure you are entertained from start to finish. My one complaint with the fun factor of the game is the sheer amount of glitches that can ruin the immersion in the game. When I played a while back, the game was plagued by constant audio glitches and terrible freezing bugs every hour of the game. (In one 20 hour stretch, the game froze like 23 times in 20 hours). It hurts the immersion, but doesn't destroy the game. Had the freezes not been a part of the action, I'm sure this game would normally muster a 10. This is a game I would play a lot more of if I had the time.

Depth - 6
I have to knock the game in this regard however, as there simply is not a ton to accomplish outside of the main story line. Gold medals in events are easy to get, and eventually, you get a radar that lets you find all the hidden bobbles in the game. With super powers, it becomes a chore to find everything, a chore that takes no time at all, and isn't at all rewarding. An experience that should be painstaking, and frustrating (like finding all the data clusters) is reduced to finding an hour of free time to zip across the map to the location and pick them up.

Once you've done all that, there's really not a ton to do.

It's a good thing lighting pedestrians on fire never gets old.

Story - 9
I wrestled with what to grade the story. In truth, it's a terrible one that makes absolutely no sense, but on the other hand, that's what I (and many others) cherish about Saints Row. Terrible story or not, this feels like a Saints Row story.

Essentially, the background is this. You stopped STAG in SR3. You and constant running mates Shaundi and Pierce are called in to kill a big enemy from SR3. In what is an incredible 10 minutes, you stop the enemy, and are announced President of the United States (I will not spoil what it is you do however).

While living the life of luxury in the White House, aliens invade. Rather than kill you all, he kidnaps you and everyone in your cabinet (Pierce/Shaundi/Kinzie/etc). Now you are trapped in his simulation (which looks a lot like Steelport). In this simulation, each of you faces your deepest darkest fears. You must not only brave your own fears, but the fears of your companions (because they can't break free themselves for some reason) and rescue all of your pals. Once that is done, you must take the fight to Zinyak, and fight for your freedom.

From start to finish, the plot spirals and never makes much sense. But again, that is why we love it.

Difficulty - 1
This game is hilariously easy, even on the hardest difficulty setting. The controls are simple and intuitive, and if you've played SR3, a lot will feel familiar. The direction is always clear, and missions are always highlighted. There is literally no way to get stuck while playing SR IV.

In battle, you can literally stand still forever, and almost never die as long as you aren't totally braindead.

I'm not sure how much easier a game could be. Even the platinum is easy as hell to get.

GRADING
Graphics - 10% (10% of 7 is .7)
Sound - 10% (10% of 9 is .9)
Addictiveness - 35% (35% of 8 is 2.8)
Depth - 20% (20% of 6 is 1.2)
Story - 25% (25% of 9 is 2.25)
Difficulty - 0% (0% of 1 is 0)
Total - 7.85
Bonus Points will not be awarded, as the game was super glitchy. Without glitches, this game is close to an 8.3-8.5. Fantastic game, but too glitchy.

Overall - 7.9
Overall, this game is one that every Saints Row fan should purchase and enjoy, as it gives us more of what the Saints Row series really is. Those who loved 3 will love 4, although those that liked the first two would probably be more interested in Grand Theft Auto V, which admittedly is a fantastic game itself.

Thre are some pretty big ways the game could get better. More DLC could come out (as it stands, there is at least one DLC that adds a story arc worth checking out), they could fix the freezing issues, and they could have done more graphically. However, as it stands, SRIV was a fantastic experience, although the score may tell you otherwise.

If you have been in the mood for carnage without limits, then look no further. Zinyak awaits.

Fantastic review. Makes me want to get the game, although I'm not to sure since you did say it was pretty glitchy...
Ah, who cares, I'll give it a shot, the glitches might even make me like the game more.