Saints Row: The Third Preview

This Saints Row: The Third preview gives a quick look at what can be expected from Volition Inc’s upcoming sandbox-style action-adventure video game.

Saints Row: The Third is due for release on November 15th (US) and November 18th (EU) 2011 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and OnLive! It will be the third title in the series.

Saints Row: The Third takes place a few years after the events of Saints Row 2.

With the Sons of Samedi, the Ronin, and the Brotherhood of Stilwater dispersed, both Dane Vogel and Julius Little dead, and Dex gone, the 3rd Street Saints have gone from a small-time gang to a household brand name in Stilwater. Furthermore, with Dane Vogel dead, the 3rd Street Saints have partnered with their former nemesis, the Ultor Corporation, now that Eric Gryphon has replaced him.

When a plan goes awry, the Protagonist, Shaundi, and Johnny Gat find themselves tied up and incapacitated on a plane, and must straighten out the mess they have found themselves in!

Check out this interview with lead designer Scott Phillips in which he talks about what we can expect from Saints Row: The Third!

This developer diary covers the open-world gameplay.

In this video, lead writer Steve Jaros talks about the “power” trailer and gives us all a little back story.

Check out the gameplay footage presented at Comic-Con.

In this video, Sasha Grey talks about her role in Saints Row: The Third.

And IGN get a special interview with the legend of wrestling – Hulk Hogan – who lends his one-of-a-kind voice the game!

Key Features of Saints Row: The Third

Here is a list of key elements that will be available in Volition Inc’s Saints Row: The Third based on news and announcements made so far.

Mission Structure
In The Third, the storylines between the three gangs are interconnected, and decisions that the player makes in dealing with one faction may alter the behavior of the others. The developers have focused on developing an open-ended storyline; the majority of story-based missions can be completed in different ways, and the decisions that the player makes will ultimately affect the ending overall.

Respect
The Third uses respect as experience points which the player can then spend to improve specific attributes of their character, such as melee combat or firearms skills. Every time the player character has leveled up, players can select new attributes, or ‘perks’.

The Return of Co-op Gameplay
As in Saints Row 2, players will be able to team up with another player in single-player. The second player can participate in all missions and activities, earning credit for completion. Certain activities provide different rules, too, when a second player is present; for example, in the Guardian Angel activity, the second player will have to control the tiger in the backseat while the first player drives.

Novelty Weapons
Novelty weapons will be introduced alongside the traditional arsenal of handguns and automatic weapons. Players will gain the ability to call down airstrikes on encamped enemies, or use a remote control electric bug to control vehicles.

Removal of Competitive Multiplayer
Because of the main focus being the single player and co-operative experience, Volition has decided to remove competitive multiplayer from Saints Row: The Third.

Awesome Button
Nearly all actions in the game can be sped up by holding down a second controller button, dubbed by Volition as the “awesome button”; for example, when carjacking, hold down this button and it will cause the player character to missile-kick a driver out of the seat.

Check out the cinematic trailer!

Excited for the third Saints Row installment? Don’t forget to leave a comment and share your opinion.

Be sure to check out our Saints Row: The Third Screenshots Gallery!