After a lengthy hiatus, fans of the Saints Row franchise finally have reason to rejoice with the release of the new reboot. Returning the series to its open-world roots, the newest entry in the series is another in a long line of great action adventure games.
From established classics like Bully, there are plenty of excellent open-world style games to enjoy after finishing Saints Row. Though many have tried, only the best titles offer the same exciting spirit as the new game.
L.A. Noire (2011)
Shifting from lawlessness to the hallowed halls of justice, L.A. Noire was the rare open-world action game that cast the as a police officer instead of a criminal. Exploring the art deco locales of 1940s Los Angeles, the attempts to solve a series of crimes on the city's seedy streets.
Praised for its state-of-the-art motion-capture performances and gripping story, the game's world was a treat to explore. Though fans of Saints Row may prefer a bit more action, L.A. Noire is still a riveting experience that offered a variety of different challenges outside the usual running and gunning of most titles.
Bully (2006)
Most ed as one of Rockstar's most ambitious title up to that point. Sent to a forbidding boarding school, the player must navigate the cruel world of the school's social hierarchy in order to be the coolest kid on campus.
Immediately controversial because of its reputation as GTA with kids, the game was nevertheless a standout example of an open-world title from the early '00s. The usual action of Saints Row is subverted into different objectives, and yet the game never strays to far from its action/adventure roots.
The Godfather (2006)
Though most tie-ins are awful. the best movie tie-in games of all time. Set during the events of the film of the same name, the takes control of a member of the Corleone gang who works his way up through the ranks while trying to find his father's killer.
The story deftly weaves through the events of the film, and the game is a treat for diehard Godfather fans. However, the game is still appealing to non-film fans for its open-world style and unique time period setting. Both games deal with organized crime, and the stories being told in The Godfather are echoed in the modern day by Saints Row.
True Crime: New York City (2005)
Released as the second and final title in the short-lived True Crime series, True Crime: New York City spared no expense in bringing the open-world concept to new heights. On his first night as a detective, an ex-gang member hits the streets of New York City to catch the person who killed his mentor.
Recreating NYC with GPS accuracy, the game's huge world is enough of an attraction to keep gamers fascinated for hours. Outside of that, the fluid gameplay and clear objectives make for an addictive gameplay style that has kept the game popular since '05. Though it may seem outdated by Saints Row standards, True Crime: New York City walked so that the newer game could run.
Mafia II (2010)
Years after the successful release of the first game in the series, Mafia II improved on its predecessor in nearly every way. The story follows a young mobster named Vito who finds himself caught in a massive power struggle between the various criminal elements of his city.
Praised for its scintillating action and fast-paced nature, it is a rare open-world game that would have benefited from not being open-world. The story does get somewhat lost in its massive scope, but it is still an enjoyable game throughout. Fans of Saints Row will enjoy the organized crime elements of the game, and it's 1940s and '50s setting is a refreshing change of pace.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
Taking things back to the days of the Wild West, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an open-world crime game that fits nicely within the western genre. Outlaw Arthur Morgan must navigate the declining days of the Old West while avoiding rival gangs and government agents that want him dead.
The forbidding landscape of the Wild West adds another layer of challenge to the game, and unlike Saints Row, there is a survival aspect added. If Saints Row is an organized crime story, Red Dead 2 is decidedly more disorganized but still fun. The open-world of the game is massive, and there is beauty to be found in its extremely detailed design.
Grand Theft Auto IV (2008)
Generally considered the best game in the franchise, GTA IV is also the entry that closest resembles Saints Row. The game follows Niko Bellic as he attempts to make a life for himself in the U.S. while doing various jobs for an organized crime syndicate.
Ironically, the GTA franchise is what helped lead to games like Saints Row, and the influences between the two series are obvious. Like most other GTA titles, the fourth installment's open world is a blast to explore, and the storyline helps to add intrigue to the overall gameplay. Though it is getting up there in years, few games have come close to topping GTA IV in quality and replay value.
Sleeping Dogs (2012)
Though Sleeping Dogs isn't an official title in the True Crime series, it was developed as a spiritual successor to the other games. The takes control of a martial arts wielding undercover police officer as he attempts to infiltrate one of Hong Kong's biggest criminal organizations.
Open-world by nature, the game deflected the combat focus from exclusively being about guns to involving a fair amount of hand-to-hand combat. Parkour is also a large part of navigating the city which adds another layer of challenge to help set it apart. Saints Row is more traditional in its approach, but Sleeping Dogs features enough similarities in themes and setting to appeal to fans of the aforementioned game.
Yakuza 0 (2015)
Helping bring the franchise to relevance in the West, Yakuza 0 was a prequel to the series but offered a great starting point for many new gamers. Set during the late-'80s boom period of Japan's economy, the game follows two young gang as they find themselves caught in the crossfire of a turf dispute.
Alternating between two main characters gives the gameplay variety, and the free exploration of the city is rewarded with additional XP that can be used later. The over-the-top style of the Yakuza series is familiar to long-time fans of Saints Row, and there is a fair amount of crossover between the two titles.
Watch Dogs (2014)
Unlike the brute force of games like Saints Row, Watch Dogs came up with a novel way to spice up its gameplay. The takes control of a hacker who explores a fictionalized version of Chicago in order to get revenge against the criminals that murdered his niece.
The hacking is the main mechanic of the game, and it plays out like a complex puzzle to be solved. The action sequences are fluid and rewarding, and there is a lot to explore outside the game's main storyline. Like most open-world games, the player's reputation can make the game easier or harder, and choices matter in the end.