The Saints Row series primarily progresses in a chronological order, allowing players to follow the escalating adventures of the Third Street Saints from their humble beginnings to galactic fame, before a recent reboot established a new timeline.
To experience the narrative evolution of the franchise, the recommended play order generally follows their release dates:
Main Story Progression
The core Saints Row saga follows a continuous storyline, building upon the events and characters introduced in previous titles.
| Game Title | Release Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saints Row | 2006 | The original game introduces the protagonist as a new recruit to the 3rd Street Saints gang in the city of Stilwater, fighting for control against rival factions. |
| Saints Row 2 | 2008 | Picking up after the first game, the Boss emerges from a coma to find the Saints disbanded and Stilwater taken over by new gangs and corporations. This entry solidifies the series' over-the-top humor and deep customization. |
| Saints Row: The Third | 2011 | The Saints have become media moguls and global celebrities, but their expansion into Steelport pits them against the powerful Syndicate. This game elevates the absurdity and introduces iconic moments. |
| Saints Row IV | 2013 | After becoming President of the United States, the Boss and the Saints must defend Earth from an alien invasion led by Zinyak, primarily fighting within a virtual simulation that grants them superpowers. |
Spin-offs and Reboots
While part of the franchise, these titles offer different experiences, either expanding on the existing lore or starting fresh.
| Game Title | Release Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell | 2015 | A standalone expansion set immediately after Saints Row IV. Johnny Gat and Kinzie Kensington travel to hell to rescue the Boss from Satan, experiencing a unique, non-canonical adventure that further embraces the series' zaniness. |
| Saints Row (2022) | 2022 | This game serves as a complete reboot of the franchise, introducing a new cast of characters in the fictional city of Santo Ileso. It offers a fresh start for the Saints, focusing on their origins as a new criminal enterprise. |
Recommended Play Order
For the most coherent experience of the Saints Row narrative and its evolution:
- Saints Row
- Saints Row 2
- Saints Row: The Third
- Saints Row IV
- Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell (Best played after Saints Row IV due to direct story connections)
- Saints Row (2022) (Can be played independently at any time as it's a reboot and requires no prior knowledge of the series)
This order allows players to fully appreciate the character development, recurring jokes, and escalating absurdity that defines the Saints Row universe.
