Saints Row IV: Game of the Century Edition

Saints Row IV: Game of the Century Edition is an over-the-top, open-world action game set in a sci-fi dystopia where the player, as the President of the United States, is trapped in a virtual simulation by an alien overlord named Zinyak. The game blends absurd humor, superhuman abilities, and sandbox freedom, allowing players to wield supernatural powers, wield outrageous weapons, and explore a satirical, hyper-stylized version of Steelport. Packed with all official DLC, this edition includes a vast array of customization options, wacky missions, and expansive content that amplifies the game’s chaotic, comedic tone.

Saints Row IV: Game of the Century Edition – A Definitive Retrospective

Introduction: The Pinnacle of Absurdity

Saints Row IV: Game of the Century Edition is not just a game—it’s a celebration of unbridled chaos, a love letter to the absurd, and a defiant middle finger to the conventions of open-world design. Released in 2014 as the ultimate compilation of Saints Row IV and its sprawling DLC, this edition encapsulates everything that made the base game a cult classic while refining it into a near-definitive experience. For fans of the series, it represents the apex of Volition’s creative ambition; for newcomers, it’s a crash course in how to blend satire, superpowers, and sheer insanity into a cohesive (if utterly ridiculous) whole.

At its core, Saints Row IV is a game that asks: What if the President of the United States had superpowers and fought aliens in a simulated city? The answer is a masterclass in over-the-top gameplay, where the boundaries of logic are shattered in favor of pure, unadulterated fun. The Game of the Century Edition amplifies this by bundling every piece of post-launch content—from the narrative expansions Enter the Dominatrix and How the Saints Save Christmas to the myriad cosmetic and weapon packs—into a single, sprawling package. It’s a testament to the game’s enduring appeal that, over a decade later, it remains a benchmark for how to do open-world absurdity right.

---

Development History & Context: From Bankruptcy to Brilliance

The story of Saints Row IV is as tumultuous as the game itself. Originally conceived as Saints Row: Part Four, a more grounded sequel to Saints Row: The Third, the project underwent a dramatic transformation when THQ—the series’ original publisher—filed for bankruptcy in 2012. The collapse of THQ left Volition in limbo, but the studio was swiftly acquired by Koch Media (under the Deep Silver label), which saw potential in the Saints Row franchise. This acquisition proved pivotal: freed from THQ’s financial constraints, Volition was able to pivot Saints Row IV into something far more ambitious.

The game’s supernatural and superpower-driven gameplay wasn’t born in a vacuum. It evolved from Enter the Dominatrix, a planned expansion for Saints Row: The Third that was initially announced as an April Fool’s joke before being greenlit as a real project. When THQ’s financial woes forced Volition to cancel Part Four, the team repurposed Enter the Dominatrix into a full-fledged sequel. The result was a game that embraced its sci-fi premise wholeheartedly, trading the street-level crime of its predecessors for a Matrix-meets-Mass Effect narrative where the player-character—now the President of the United States—battles an alien overlord named Zinyak in a simulated version of Steelport.

Technologically, Saints Row IV was constrained by the hardware of its time. Released in 2013 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, the game pushed the limits of seventh-generation consoles while laying the groundwork for the eventual Re-Elected and Game of the Century editions. The latter, released in 2014, was the first iteration to include all DLC and was later ported to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. These ports, handled by High Voltage Software, brought the game to modern hardware but retained the core gameplay loop that made the original so beloved.

The gaming landscape in 2013 was dominated by Grand Theft Auto V, which had just launched to critical and commercial acclaim. Saints Row IV couldn’t compete with GTA V’s scale or polish, nor did it try to. Instead, it carved out its own niche by doubling down on what made Saints Row unique: its irreverent humor, its willingness to break the fourth wall, and its commitment to giving players absurd amounts of power. While GTA V was a serious crime epic, Saints Row IV was a superhero power fantasy with a side of meta-commentary.

---

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive: Satire, Superpowers, and Self-Awareness

Saints Row IV’s plot is a delightful mess of sci-fi tropes, pop culture references, and self-deprecating humor. The game picks up five years after the events of Saints Row: The Third, with the player-character—now the President of the United States—leading the 3rd Street Saints from the White House. The opening mission, a Mission: Impossible-style infiltration of a terrorist base, sets the tone: it’s a high-octane, over-the-top spectacle that culminates in the player stopping a nuclear missile from hitting Washington, D.C. This act of heroism catapults them into the presidency, complete with a cabinet staffed by Saints allies like Pierce, Shaundi, and Johnny Gat (who, in a twist, is revealed to have been secretly alive all along).

The narrative takes a sharp turn when the Zin Empire, led by the sadistic Zinyak, invades Earth. The Saints are captured and placed in a virtual simulation of Steelport, where they must fight to escape while uncovering Zinyak’s plans. The game’s plot is structured around rescuing the Saints’ allies from their personal hells—simulated nightmares that reflect their deepest traumas. For example, Shaundi is trapped in a Black Mirror-esque dystopia where she’s forced to relive her past mistakes, while Pierce is stuck in a Street Fighter-inspired fighting tournament.

What makes Saints Row IV’s storytelling so compelling is its self-awareness. The game constantly winks at the player, acknowledging its own absurdity while still delivering genuine emotional beats. The writing is sharp, with dialogue that ranges from hilarious one-liners to surprisingly poignant moments. The character of Kinzie Kensington, the Saints’ hacker, stands out as a particularly well-written figure—her sarcastic wit and technological prowess make her a fan favorite, and her personal mission (which involves confronting a simulated version of Cyrus Temple, a villain from Saints Row: The Third) is one of the game’s highlights.

Themes of identity, power, and resistance run throughout the narrative. The player-character’s journey from street gang leader to President to intergalactic freedom fighter is a power fantasy taken to its logical extreme. The game also explores the idea of simulation and reality, with the Steelport simulation serving as a metaphor for the artificiality of open-world games themselves. By giving the player superpowers—telekinesis, super speed, the ability to leap over buildings—Saints Row IV subverts the traditional open-world formula, turning the genre’s conventions on their head.

---

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems: Superpowers and Sandbox Anarchy

At its heart, Saints Row IV is a sandbox game that prioritizes player freedom above all else. The core gameplay loop revolves around using superpowers to traverse the city, complete missions, and wreak havoc on the alien occupiers. The game’s superpowers are divided into several categories:

• Super Sprint & Super Jump: These abilities allow the player to traverse Steelport at breakneck speeds, leaping over buildings and outrunning vehicles. The sense of speed and verticality is intoxicating, making traditional vehicles feel almost obsolete.
• Telekinesis: The ability to lift and throw objects (or enemies) with the power of the mind. This power is endlessly versatile, allowing for creative combat strategies and environmental puzzles.
• Fire & Ice Blasts: Elemental attacks that can freeze enemies in place or set them ablaze. These powers are particularly useful in crowd control scenarios.
• Stomp: A ground pound attack that creates a shockwave, knocking enemies off their feet. It’s satisfying to use and essential for dealing with groups of foes.

The game’s combat is a chaotic ballet of superpowers and conventional weaponry. The arsenal includes everything from standard firearms to absurd alien tech like the Dubstep Gun (which kills enemies with bass drops) and the Inflato-Ray (which inflates enemies until they explode). The weapon customization system is robust, allowing players to tweak everything from damage output to firing effects.

Character progression is handled through a skill tree system, where players spend “data clusters” (scattered throughout the world) to upgrade their powers and unlock new abilities. The upgrades are meaningful, with later tiers introducing game-changing perks like infinite sprint or the ability to throw cars with telekinesis.

The game’s side activities are a mixed bag but generally entertaining. Classics like Insurance Fraud (where the player throws themselves into traffic for cash) and Mayhem (a destruction derby-style mode) return, alongside new superpower-based challenges like Super Sprint races and Telekinetic Toss competitions. The open world is packed with collectibles, from data clusters to audio logs that expand the lore.

One of the game’s most innovative (and divisive) features is its lack of traditional vehicle combat. While cars, tanks, and alien ships are still present, the superpowers make them feel unnecessary. This design choice was intentional—Volition wanted players to feel like superheroes, not just gangsters with guns. The result is a game that feels distinctly different from its predecessors, for better or worse.

---

World-Building, Art & Sound: A Neon-Drenched Playground

Steelport, the game’s primary setting, is a lovingly crafted parody of open-world cities. It’s a sprawling metropolis filled with neon signs, towering skyscrapers, and alien occupation forces. The art direction is bold and stylized, with a color palette that leans heavily into purples, blues, and neon greens. The city feels alive, even if its inhabitants are mostly alien drones or simulated civilians.

The sound design is equally impressive. The game’s soundtrack features a mix of licensed tracks and original compositions, with radio stations that play everything from classic rock to dubstep. The voice acting is top-notch, with standout performances from Troy Baker (as the male voice of the Boss), Laura Bailey (female voice), and Natalie Lander (Kinzie Kensington). The game’s humor is amplified by its sound design, with exaggerated sound effects for superpowers and over-the-top voice lines that emphasize the absurdity of the situation.

The game’s atmosphere is one of controlled chaos. Steelport is a city under siege, but it’s also a playground for the player. The alien occupation forces add a layer of tension, but the superpowers make the player feel invincible. This dichotomy—between the oppressive setting and the player’s godlike abilities—is what makes Saints Row IV so compelling.

---

Reception & Legacy: A Cult Classic’s Evolution

Saints Row IV was met with critical acclaim upon release, with praise directed at its humor, gameplay innovations, and sheer audacity. Critics lauded the game’s willingness to embrace its absurdity, with many comparing it favorably to Grand Theft Auto V for its lighter tone and more creative gameplay. The Game of the Century Edition, in particular, was praised for its value, bundling all the DLC into a single package.

However, the game was not without its detractors. Some critics argued that the superpowers made the game too easy, removing the challenge that defined earlier entries in the series. Others felt that the shift away from traditional vehicle combat was a misstep, robbing the game of some of its sandbox appeal. Despite these criticisms, Saints Row IV sold over a million copies in its first week, cementing its status as a commercial success.

The game’s legacy is complex. On one hand, it’s remembered as the high-water mark for the Saints Row series, a game that pushed the boundaries of what an open-world title could be. On the other, it’s seen as the point where the series lost its way, abandoning the street-level crime drama of its early entries in favor of outright parody. The 2022 reboot attempted to course-correct, returning to a more grounded (if still humorous) tone, but it lacked the charm and creativity of Saints Row IV.

---

Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Madness

Saints Row IV: Game of the Century Edition is a game that defies categorization. It’s a superhero simulator, a sci-fi epic, a comedy, and a sandbox all rolled into one. Its strengths—its humor, its gameplay innovations, its sheer audacity—far outweigh its weaknesses. While it may not be a “perfect” game in the traditional sense, it’s a perfect example of what happens when a developer embraces creativity over convention.

For fans of open-world games, Saints Row IV is a must-play. For those who prefer their games serious and grounded, it’s a hard sell. But for anyone who’s ever wanted to leap over a skyscraper, throw a car with their mind, or fight aliens with a dubstep gun, it’s an absolute revelation. The Game of the Century Edition is the definitive way to experience this modern classic, bundling all the DLC into a single, sprawling package that offers hundreds of hours of entertainment.

In the end, Saints Row IV is more than just a game—it’s a statement. A statement that games don’t have to take themselves seriously to be great. A statement that sometimes, the best way to innovate is to throw out the rulebook and see what happens. And a statement that, in a world of increasingly serious open-world epics, there’s still room for a game that’s just plain fun.

Final Verdict: 9.5/10 – A triumph of absurdity and innovation.