It is almost here. Saints Row IV. The return of pure, unbridled politically incorrect nonsense! Naturally, hordes of die-hard GTA fans are doing their best to put it down and declare the unworthiness of the Saints Row franchise. I bask in their hatred.
On a more philosophical note, I find that Saints Row isn’t just a ridiculously entertaining series, but it also serves to highlight the freedom and creative potential of the video game medium. You want to play as the US President trapped in an extraterrestrial version of The Matrix, using your superpowers to fly around naked and shoot things? Why not? You want to play as a fat, balding blue-skinned gang leader who talks like a zombie whilst smacking people over the head with a massive purple dildo? Go ahead.
Saints Row is a statement. You can do anything in a game, and make it seem relatively legit. The things I mentioned above would never work in cinema for example (maybe Tarantino could pull it off) – the concepts are just too extravagant, too silly for people to simply sit back and watch. However, if they were allowed to take part in the chaos, like they could in this game, it would be an entirely different story.
I hope you’re as excited as I am!
Pixelpub 