TheSaints Rowfranchise has persisted for 15 years by delivering experiences that can seldom be found anywhere else. While the last entry may have gone too off the rails for many, even bySaints Rowstandards, the series is preparing for an ambitious reboot to come out later this year. It’s with this reboot thatSaints Rowwill be able to reinvent itself, and assert its standing against the franchise’s most consistent competitor.
Saints Rowand theGrand Theft Autofranchise share more than a few similarities. Both properties focus on criminal exploits with tongue-in-cheek storytelling that is as entertaining as it is controversial.Saints Rowhas routinely played catch-up toGrand Theft Autoand the franchise’s prestige in the wider industry, but the state ofGTA’s future could giveSaints Rowa serious advantage.GTAfans have been patiently awaiting the release ofGTA 6for years, giving theSaints Rowreboot an opportunity to shine in its absence.
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GTA 5 Fatigue and The Elusive GTA 6
For almost 10 years,GTA 5has been one of the most-played and financially successful games in history, but even with all of its success, there are many gamers who want something new.GTA 5’s story mode hasn’t received any DLC in all of its time on the market, and whileGTA Onlinehas been consistently updated, there’s only so much Rockstar can add to San Andreas to keep it from feeling like the same map. Many players have been expressing feelings of fatigue for some time, a fatigue that could be cured by the long-awaited release ofGTA 6.
The story ofGTA 6is still taking shape, but in just a few years the game has reachedHalf-Life 3levels of intrigue and hype. Rumors have been circulating aboutGTA 6for some time, with even the most generous of predictions putting its release in the far future. A recent Take-Two financial report suggestedGTA 6could come out at soon as March 2024, but that means gamers will have to stick with the same nine-year-old game for another two years at least. Even with all the creativity at Rockstar, there’s only so much that can be added to San Andreas to keep it interesting.
How Saints Row Can Fill GTA 6’s Void
All the fatigue aroundGTA 5givesSaints Rowa unique opportunity to capitalize on. For those who have beenwaiting for newGTA 5story content to no avail,Saints Rowwill be able to deliver a whole new story experience with a fresh setting and game mechanics. Gamers won’t have to drive the same streets they’ve seen for the last nine years, andSaints Rowwould be wise to recognize that.
Saints Rowwill be a fresh start for the franchise’s story, but it could also be a fresh start for the state of the series overall.GTAhas always reigned supremeas the premier open-world criminal empire experience, but with no new competition in sight,Saints Rowcould stand alone as the best current option on the market. Saying the game will absolutely topple the success ofGTA Onlinemay be overstating things, but if the game gets enough people away fromGTA 5it could build a sizable community. Until Rockstar gives more substantial details onGTA 6,Saints Rowwill be the hottest new thing upon releases.
Saints Rowis set to release August 23 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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