Saints Row: The Third Remastered launched in 2020 and brought the very popular Saints Row: The Third to modern machines. The graphics were updated to bring the title more in-line with current open-world video games, while the core zany gameplay was kept the same. This title was the first Saints Row game to get a full-on remaster, unless fans also count the re-release of Saints Row 4. That leaves two Saints Row games that have yet to receive any sort of update or remaster, and Deep Silver should be willing to change that.
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Saints Row and Saints Row 2 Need Remasters
The Saints Row franchise began back in 2006 with the aptly titled Saints Row. The game was very much a Grand Theft Auto like game, with the added ability to create the player character. It told the story of the early days of the 3rd Street Saints, long before they got abducted by aliens in Saints Row 4. It introduced the city of Stilwater and various staples of the franchise like clearing rival gangs out of territory. Compared to later entries in the franchise, this game felt nothing like what came after and felt way more in-line with the Grand Theft Auto franchise. However, it kickstarted the entire franchise and as such should be honored with a remaster or remake.
Saints Row 2 launched two years later and improved everything about the original title. It was the beginning of the comedic tone that the franchise would take going forward and introduced a bunch of wild mini-games that would become a big part of the series. The player was in charge of rebuilding the 3rd Street Saints after the events of the first game, and they had to take back Stilwater from the other gangs. A lot of fans of the franchise will cite this game as being the best that the series has to offer, yet Deep Silver has not chosen to remaster it in any way. This title was the last semi-realistic Saints Row game before the series went off the rails, and it would look great with today’s graphics and mechanics.
A Remaster Can Work Alongside the Reboot
The Saints Row franchise is headed for a reboot, but that does not mean that it needs to leave these original titles in the dust. The reboot will most likely kick off a new series for the franchise, as long as it sells well. However, it takes time to make video games, and remasters of older titles could help fill the gap between releases. Players could play through the new Saints Row, and then in a couple of years they could check out Saints Row 2 Remastered while they wait for the second entry in the reboot. This would keep the franchise in the minds of the players while also honoring the early days of the franchise.
These Saints Row remasters do not have to be full-on remakes like Final Fantasy 7 Remake or the Resident Evil remakes. Volition simply needs to give it a facelift through some prettier graphics, make the game run smoother, and maybe clean up some bugs too. Deep Silver would have to tread carefully so that it avoids the same fate as the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy remasters and Warcraft 3: Reforged. If it can deliver a quality upgrade alongside the rebooted series, then it can blaze a new trail while also honoring the franchise that fans have come to love.
Saints Row will usher in a brand-new era for the franchise and may just be what the series needs right now, yet, there is also a series of games with a very long history and large fanbase that deserve remasters. Saints Row The Third got a remaster two years ago; there is no reason that Saints Row and Saints Row 2 cannot get them as well.
Saints Row releases on August 23 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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