Saints Row Reboot: 10 New Changes

From a different cast, gameplay, and even to the way that crime is played out, here are the exciting new changes in Saints Row!

Nine years after the release of Saints Row 4, we’re getting a new game in the franchise. Instead of going with a sequel, developers at Volition are going with a reboot. Of course, a reboot means a new cast, new weapons, and new settings, all the while keeping the original charm of the game. Here are most of the major new changes in the Saints Row Reboot!

Key Takeaways

New Changes:

  1. City Control: Three teams vie for control of Saint Ileso.
  2. Extensive Character Customization: The game offers robust character customization options.
  3. Customization Beyond: Customize various items, including cars and weapons.
  4. Story Premise: Players aim to eliminate rivals, establish a criminal cartel, and dominate the underworld.
  5. Shift in Crime Style: The reboot transitions from gangsta style to organized crime.
  6. Vehicle Collection Challenge: Secure tanks and APCs in crib garages scattered across the city.
  7. Fast Travel: A new system allows fast travel via pictures of locations.
  8. Realistic Weapons: Weapons in the game are more realistic.
  9. Criminal Business: Players can establish and manage their own businesses for profit.
  10. Silly Side Activities: Engage in humorous side activities, a trademark of the Saints Row series.

YouTube video

1. The Cast

The Saints Row Reboot introduces a new and transformed cast to navigate the city of Saint Ileso, now controlled by three distinct gangs. Los Panteros, known for their impressive cars, feature Nina, a skilled driver. The Idols rule the night, while Martial Defense Industries employs high-tech weaponry.

Among the characters, there’s Kevin, a former DJ turned heist mastermind, and Eli, an entrepreneur managing finances in the criminal world. Each member has their quirks, but they all share the psychopathic tendencies required to thrive in the Saints Row universe.

2. Character Customization

Saints Row Reboot New Changes
Saint Row – Customization

The one thing that has NOT changed with the new Saints Reboot is the character customization. Every Saints game has blown us away with the insane character customization engine.

And it seems like we’re in for a ride once again with some newer options. With asymmetrical face customization and several different voice profiles, players can create their own Boss using the free boss factory tool.

And if you feel really proud of your work, you can use the share code to share it away with the rest of the world.

3. Customize It All

Of course, the Saints just didn’t stop there with their customization. In the reboot, you can customize a wide variety of things, from vehicles to weapons to the Saint’s HQ and your crew member outfits.

The city will take on different colors depending on the gangs’ influence. All in all, making sure every player experiences the game in their own unique way.

4. The Premise

Like always, the Boss is the star this time as well. However, his rise to the top takes a different road this time. Instead of being the leader of the gang or performing his duties as President during an alien attack, you’ll find them working in martial defense industries.

It’s here that they meet members of other gangs and decide to make the criminal streets their own. Their goals are to take out the competition, build a criminal empire, and of course, rule the underworld. If you want to cehck out another game with an interesting premise, consider reading: Sons of the Forest: Everything We Know!

5. Change In Crime

Changes in the New Saints Row Reboot
Saints Row – Organized Crime

Perhaps the biggest change with the reboot is that we’re heading from gangsta style to a more organized crime style, and that has a lot of people excited. We’ve already seen the hood style in the first two games, and so the developers choosing to take the reboot in this new direction is a breath of fresh air.

Of course, there are mixed opinions. While some appreciate the change in crime, others would prefer to stick to the hood style. So, we’ll have to wait for the actual game to see how the public opinion fairs then.

6. Vehicle Collection Will Be Harder

Collecting vehicles in the new Saints Row reboot has become more challenging compared to previous games. In the past, cribs with garages made it easy to store vehicles, even with high police notoriety. You could also customize cars at Rim Jobs once notoriety was gone.

However, the reboot differs significantly. There are just two cribs available, and if enemies are nearby, you can’t store your vehicle, even with no notoriety. Additionally, there are no Semi Broken or pre-built car customization services. If you’re pursued, you must first shake off the pursuers and then travel to a distant mechanic or crib for customization.

If you want a game without all the crazy vehicles, then consider checking out the upcoming Skate. It has a lot of parkour, tricks and a lot more! Learn more here: Skate 4: Everything We Know So Far!

7. Fast Travel

Fast Travel Using Pictures
Saints Row – Fast Travel Through Pictures

In the new Saints Row, a fresh fast travel system has been introduced. You can unlock fast travel locations by snapping pictures of nearby spots, and once you have the picture, you can quickly move to that spot whenever needed.

This addition is likely due to the game’s new setting, Santo Ileso, which is their largest location to date. Fast Travel helps players move swiftly across the map, eliminating the need for long drives and speeding up missions.

8. Combat

Saints Row Combat
Saints Row – Combat

Third-person shooting and melee combat are still at the heart of the new reboot. However, the weapons this time around are more realistic. There are also new mechanics like flow and perks.

As you complete actions, you’ll rake up flow points. And once you have enough, you’ll be able to unlock different abilities like attaching a grenade to an enemy and throwing them in an enemy crowd.

As for perks, they fall into three categories: Basic, Advanced, and Ultimate. You can keep five on you at a time. Then there are also takedowns that let you have a health refill. They come with a meter that you need to build over time with kills.

If you want to know more about an upcoming game with unique combat and interesting world, consider reading: Callisto Protocol: Trailer, Gameplay, & Release Date!

9. The Criminal Life

Businesses in the game
Saints Row – Possibility of Owning a Medical Clinic

For the first time in the series, you get a chance to build your very own business. You could create a medical clinic as a front for your more nefarious activities. In that case, maybe you could cause injuries to yourself and earn some quick cash.

You could also build a disposal facility and dump illegal chemicals. All in all, the sky’s the limit. Maybe this is your chance to finally live out your dream profession! Speaking of the criminal life, here’s an upcoming game that you’ll love to know more about: GTA 6: Release Date, Trailer, Story & Leaks

10. Side Activities

In addition to gang conflicts and running your fake business, Saints Row offers a variety of entertaining side activities. Known for their absurdity, these activities include classics like UFO Mech Suit Mayhem and Professor Genki’s Mind over Murder, alongside some fresh additions.

Returning favorites like Mayhem, where you create havoc within a time limit, and Drug Trafficking, now called Riding Shotgun, make a comeback. Players are hopeful for improved AI tracking in Riding Shotgun and eager for the return of the Septic Avenger.

With that we wrap up our list of all the new changes in the Saints Row Reboot. There are a lot of new things for you to check out and spend hours exploring. 

Up Next: Suicide Squad Kill The Justice League: Characters We Want

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Atik Younas is a Junior Guides Writer on eXputer with decent experience writing about games. He’s an avid 3D designer and a coding wizard who gets fascinated by the technical aspects of the latest games. He’s got a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and loves enjoying well-written stories and combat mechanics in games. Atik has been playing games for more than 10+ years now. Most notably he has spent 1,000+ hours on GTA V Online and Minecraft! Feel free to get in touch with Atik on his gaming profile at Xbox and PSN. Experience: 2+ Years || Education: Bachelor's in Computer Science || Written 200+ Guides || Mainly Covers Game Strategy Guides on eXputer

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