Saints Row Reboot’s Secret Origin Revealed
The Saints Row series has long been known for its chaotic humor and open-world crime stories. However, the 2022 Saints Row reboot failed to meet fan expectations and was criticized for its distinct style. New information now suggests that the game was not actually intended as a reboot, but rather as a sequel to Saints Row: The Third.
The Origins of the Saints Row Reboot
According to new details, early plans for the game were seen during a visit to Volition studio in 2019. This version was to be called “Saints Row Cinco” and would serve as a direct sequel to Saints Row: The Third. Johnny Gat’s death would even be canceled, and the Saints gang would leave Steelport for a fresh start in Santo Ileso. Beloved characters from the series would return, and elements that fans had been requesting for years would be added to the game.
The planned tone was supposed to be 20% the bombastic nature of Saints Row 3 and 80% the more serious atmosphere of Saints Row 2. It would even be possible to confront and kill Dex during a secret mission. Pierce’s voice actor, Arif S. Kinchen, had even recorded the character’s lines, indicating that the project was progressing seriously.
However, things changed with THQ Nordic’s acquisition of Deep Silver. The publisher rejected the idea of a sequel, forcing the studio to start over. This process included restrictions on dialogue, prohibiting the use of profanity, and emphasizing the concept of a reboot. An alternative version featuring original Saints characters was also proposed, but it too was rejected.
Among the cut features were the return of Ultor, three different skill trees, human shield mechanics, and the Criminal Ventures system, which allowed for functional customization of the city. Players would also have been able to fine-tune their Cribs and establish new laws to control districts. Cheats were even supposed to be unlocked through a hidden “genki pyramid,” and a New Game+ mode was also planned. With all these ideas shelved, the resulting game was released as a reboot, leaving fans deeply disappointed.
