We might already know plenty about the upcoming Saints Row reboot, but this morning we got a more in-depth look at the game’s customisation tools.
Applicable to just about anything in the game—the player, his or her guns, cars, and even headquarters—the ability to shake things up and craft a truly unique identity for your experience in Santo Ileso might be the most robust we’ve ever seen.
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Here’s what we learned in Volition’s deep dive into just how self-made Saints Row can be.
TWO-FACE
In a first for the series, Saints Row offers asymmetrical face customisation meaning you can literally create the Batman villain Two-Face if you wanted to.
Being able to make your character’s look tell two tales, you’re able to create some really unique, unhinged looks. Lip-stick smeared off one half of the mouth, uneven eyes, it’s never been easier to look like one of Picasso’s masterworks.
HEY, YOUR EPIDERMIS IS SHOWING!
There’s a surprising amount of customisation available for your character’s skin, of all things. And I’m not referring to race, that’s a given.
Do you want to look like Colossus from X-Men? Well, you can. You’re not only able to opt for a smooth metallic look, but you can also create a skin tone that looks like outer space. It’s seriously off the wall.
BRUTALITY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP
The cool skin options aren’t limited to the player either, there’s obviously an insane amount of customisation available to any of the game’s many, many weapons.
Changing the skin and material of every minor piece of the gun, from the stock to the cross-hair, is only half of the battle here. For certain weapons, you’re able to conceal the weapon entirely.
You’re able to convert your rocket launcher into a guitar case just so you can blow away the next dude who requests “Wonderwall”.
I just hope they don’t blow the chance to hide a sawn-off inside a box of roses.
SIZE MATTERS
This new Saints Row might be a little more conservative when it comes to arming players with dildos, they’re not shying away from the things that matter.
For the ultimate wish fulfilment, your character’s groin is at the mercy of a size slider.
LOTS OF WHEELS AND DOORS
One of the things we learned throughout the deep-dive is that Saints Row is expected to feature at least eighty cars.
Unsurprisingly, they’re all customisable to the finest detail. Body kits, the paint job, engine tuning. There are even upgrade kits that’ll help any ride purr like a lion.
All you’ve got to do is roll down to Jim Rob’s, he’ll have what you need.
EJECTO SEATO, CUZ!
For those concerned that Saints Row might be playing it a little straight then fear not, signature abilities are a driver’s best friend in trying to evade the authorities.
Crab steering lets you literally strafe through traffic, there’s a spammable boost for those quick escapes, an actual wrecking ball, and, for when driving just isn’t an option anymore, an ejector seat.
That’ll have your boss airborne and wing-suiting to safety lickity-split.
60 HOURS IN SANTO ILESO
In explaining the importance of offering this extensive customisation tool, one of the developers noted that he expected players would spend somewhere in the range of sixty hours with Saints Row.
That’s a pretty encouraging number for a big open world, I feel.
THE PRESETS
If you’re not keen on sinking hours and hours into shaping every granular detail of your boss, that’s totally fine. A shame, but fine.
The game will have eight character presets to choose from, allowing a quick launch into a life of crime if that’s what you’re after.
LAYER UP
Picking out the right fit can be a tricky task, fashion is forever evolving and God knows it’s not something I’m remotely across.
But Saints Row offers such granular choice over what you wear that you’re at least not bound to get caught wearing the same thing as a stablemate. With the ability to layer up, piling a coat over a hoodie over a shirt is as simple as it sounds.
Plus, once you’ve found an outfit that works for you, it can be saved within your Style App so that you’re able to change it on the fly.
THE CARPET CAN MATCH THE DRAPES
Although I’m sure it’s true of the adult equivalent that your mind no doubt lept to, I’m referring to the fact you’re able to customise your Saints HQ as well.
Located in the centre of a church, you’re able to play about with the decor to ensure that you’re lovin’ where you’re livin’.
FEELING NAUTICAL
There’s a car called the Frying Dutchman that’s literally a boat. So, that’s neat.
TOWTAL DESTRUCTION
Keeping in line with the game’s signature abilities, you’re also able to equip vehicles with a towing cable.
This, above all other things I’ve seen of Saints Row so far, looks like the most genuinely fun means of wrecking shit in Santo Ileso. Being able to actually leave a mess in your wake is going to be fuel for belly laughs.
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
Volition also confirmed that the team will release the tools required to tinker with the game’s robust customisation engine pre-launch.
Whether it’s browser-based or via an app, not unlike Need for Speed: Heat’s ride-pimping app, players will be free to create their boss before taking him or her to the mean streets.
Saints Row is set to release for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC on August 23, 2022.
