Volition and Deep Silver are gearing up to release theSaints Rowreboot this August, and hopefully kick off a new era for this crazy open-world franchise. While a reboot of the franchise is much needed, Deep Silver should also remember the classic games that got the series to this point. While it has honored one of the most popular entries in the franchise withSaints Row: The Third Remastered, that should not be the onlySaints Rowgame to get the remaster treatment.
Saints Row: The Third Remasteredlaunched in 2020 and brought the very popularSaints Row: The Thirdto 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 firstSaints Rowgame to get a full-on remaster, unless fans also count the re-release ofSaints Row 4. That leaves twoSaints Rowgames 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
TheSaints Rowfranchise began back in 2006 with the aptly titledSaints Row. The game was very much aGrand Theft Autolike 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 inSaints 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 theGrand Theft Autofranchise. However, it kickstarted the entire franchise and as such should be honored with a remaster or remake.
Saints Row 2launched two years laterand 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-realisticSaints Rowgame 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
TheSaints Rowfranchise 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 couldplay through the newSaints Row, and then in a couple of years they could check outSaints Row 2 Remasteredwhile 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.
TheseSaints Rowremasters do not have to be full-on remakes likeFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeor theResident Evilremakes. 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 theGrand Theft Auto Trilogyremasters andWarcraft 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 Rowwill usher in a brand-new erafor 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 Thirdgot a remaster two years ago; there is no reason thatSaints RowandSaints Row 2cannot get them as well.
Saints Rowreleases on August 23 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
