Rumor: Saints Row 2022 Was Originally Planned as a Direct Sequel to The Third

New Details Emerge About Saints Row 2022's Original Vision

Recent information circulating online suggests that the 2022 Saints Row reboot initially began development as a direct sequel to Saints Row: The Third. According to YouTube blogger mrsaintsgodzilla21, the project was internally codenamed Saints Row Cinco and aimed to deliver a very different experience than what players ultimately received.

For long-time fans of the series, these revelations might be tough to read, painting a picture of a potentially beloved entry that never saw the light of day. It seems we could have received another interesting and high-quality Saints Row title.

What the Sequel Envisioned

To bring this vision to life, the developers planned to retcon the events of Saints Row IV and undo Johnny Gat's death from the third installment. Instead of an alien invasion, players, alongside The Boss and the entire Saints crew, would have left Steelport to establish themselves in Santo Ileso. The planned atmosphere would follow a “20/80 rule”: twenty percent in the over-the-top style of Saints Row: The Third, and eighty percent closer to the darker, more grounded tone of Saints Row 2.

Fans could have also expected several pleasant surprises, including a secret mission to find and eliminate Dex, and the full return of all original gang members. Rumors suggest that the actor who voiced Pierce had already recorded some lines for this early version of the project.

Features That Never Made It

Volition reportedly intended to pack the game with fan service. The proposed sequel would have included:

• The return of the Ultor Corporation instead of Marshals.
• A Proclamation System, allowing players to introduce laws in controlled districts, ranging from dress codes to settling conflicts through shootouts.
• A Criminal Ventures system where players could completely reshape the city, choosing which businesses appeared on the streets.
• The return of hideouts and customization for homes and the church, with the ability to buy furniture and arrange items as desired.
• A skill tree divided into three branches: Wealth, Fame, and Power.
• The return of the 'human shield' mechanic. This idea was reportedly rejected by Deep Silver, the publisher, who deemed it “too violent.”

Additionally, the game intended to bring back cheats, though they would only become accessible in the endgame after finding and activating a massive secret Genki pyramid. A New Game+ mode was also planned.

Why Everything Changed

The situation allegedly shifted after Deep Silver became part of THQ Nordic. The new owner reportedly rejected the idea of a direct sequel and mandated that Volition create a reboot instead. Developers were forbidden from using expletives, and many original concepts were deemed unsuitable. The studio even proposed an intermediate solution – a new story with old characters – but this option was also rejected.

It's important to note that these details are not officially confirmed, so they should be treated as rumors for now.

As a result, the full reboot, featuring new characters and a different tone, launched in 2022, leading to significant dissatisfaction among long-time fans. The Saints Row reboot sold poorly, with only 1.7 million copies sold within a year and a half of its release. In 2023, developer Volition announced its closure, a sad end for a studio with a long history of creative games. This news offers a glimpse into a potential alternate future for the franchise that many fans might wish had come to pass.