When the Saints Row series first began, many saw it as a mere GTA clone. Those comments weren't completely off-base, but the series quickly proved itself to be more than that. And after a few instalments, it walked out of GTA's shadow and made a name for itself.
Nowadays, it's a respected series in the open-world genre with several great entries. In fact, instead of continually being compared to GTA, other titles are now being compared to Saints Row. And some of them are positive comparisons, as the following games bring a lot of the same qualities to the table that the SR titles do.
Updated August 28, 2022 By Ben Jessey: The Saints Row series is once again back in the spotlight due to the recent release of the 2022 reboot. It's a divisive game, as some love it while others despise it. And there's a bunch in the middle that think the game is serviceable.
If you're a long-time Saints Row fan that was expecting more out of the game, you may still be looking for that true Saints Row-like experience. Thankfully, there are plenty of other titles that can scratch that itch. Some made it onto the previous version of this list, and we've now added more.
13 Yakuza 0
The Saints Row games are all about gang warfare, and the same can be said about Yakuza 0. As the title suggests, the game revolves around the criminal organization known as the Yakuza. Zero serves as a prequel to the series and puts you in the shoes of Kiryu Kazuma and Goro Majima. These two excellent marital artists get involved in an all-out war for a lucrative piece of real estate.
The inclusion of gangs isn't the only similarity between Saints Row and Yakuza 0, though. They also share a similar tone, as Zero combines deep story moments with outright wackiness.
12 Borderlands 2
Two of the best ways to describe Saints Row are colorful and comical. Those words can also describe the Borderlands series. The second instalment is arguably the best as it finds a good balance between enjoyable combat and interesting characters.
The standout character is Handsome Jack, who is actually similar to the Saints Row 2 onwards version of the Boss. After all, they're both witty and charismatic mass murderers. The only difference is that Jack serves as the antagonist in Borderlands 2. This game also has the high-octane action that the SR games contain.
11 Far Cry 6
In Far Cry 6, you play as a regular person who, through grit, determination, and surprisingly good combat skills, drives their people forward. This isn't dissimilar to the Boss's journey in the original Saints Row and the 2022 reboot.
Admittedly, the circumstances are very different as Dani from Far Cry 6 is leading a revolution instead of a street gang. And their goal is to free the people of an entire country. So, the protagonists certainly have differing motives, but the way they go about it is somewhat similar. Another thing that isn't too different between the games is the inclusion of a litany of action-packed, explosive missions.
10 Sleeping Dogs
Saints Row has you at the helm of the world's most lucrative and fastest-growing gang in history, rising from the streets of Stillwater to the White House itself, but Sleeping Dogs is more grounded, fitting in more so with the likes of Grand Theft Auto or the first two Saints Row games.
Take to the streets of Hong Kong as Wei Shen, an undercover cop who is tasked with taking down the triads from the inside. It has similar gameplay, with more emphasis on hand-to-hand combat but there are still plenty of open roads to take speedy cars out for a spin on, toppled with a customization galore to spice up your style. If you like Saints Row, you'll absolutely love Sleeping Dogs.
9 Just Cause 2
If you're itching for more of the chaotic carnage that Saints Row brings, rather than the street-level gang turf wars that are so prevalent in the first two outings, then Just Cause 2 is perfect for you.
There are four to pick from, but the second stands out from the crowd, with its stunning setting and trio of gangs to play ball with. You star in the role of Rico Rodriguez as he embarks on a mission in Panau to find and kill his mentor. You don't have to play the first game to get knee-deep in the Michael Bay explosive extravaganza, and it's got replay value in spades, so it's definitely worth a try.
8 Mad Max
Whilst Mad Max sports a wholly different setting and a significantly more somber and gritty tone, it has its fair share of lighthearted characters and action-packed moments, with a fair few dystopian gangs to take apart on your journey.
In the vast deserts of a post-apocalyptic Australia, you drive your customizable four-wheeler into gun-slinging action and fisticuff charades, with plenty of room for over-the-top action spectacle, whether that's leaping through the air in your automobile or pulling down pillars with your car's grappling hook.
7 Sunset Overdrive
In true Insomniac fashion, the devs behind Ratchet & Clank and Marvel's Spider-Man for the PS4, Sunset Overdrive sports an arsenal of zany, over-the-top weapons, combined with a movement system centered around skateboarding.
It's wacky, entertaining, hilarious, and extreme in all the right ways, not too dissimilar to the latest Saints Row entries, so if the silly humor of Volition's purple-clad franchise was your thing, then Sunset Overdrive will surely elicit a similar response.
6 Grand Theft Auto 5
It's no secret that Grand Theft Auto was a major inspiration for Saints Row, given how similar the franchise used to be to Rockstar's historic works. Nonetheless, they since distanced themselves in design, becoming more unique.
However, there are still similarities between the two series in terms of gameplay. And GTA 5 is still being updated to this day, at least the online portion of it. So, if you wanna build up your fortune in the online sphere or get down and dirty with single-player content, rampaging across the city with the police on your tail, then this will more than satisfy you.
5 Agents of Mayhem
Agents of Mayhem is somewhat of a Saints Row spin-off, but it styles itself as its own experience so most people don't even realize it's in the same series. In the half-sequel to Saints Row 4, Gat Out Of Hell, one of the endings leads to a new Earth, and that's where Agents of Mayhem unfolds, even featuring returning characters such as Oleg and Pierce, albeit with new names and altered pasts.
Johnny Gat himself even makes a comeback in a DLC. In Agents of Mayhem, you play a roster of different characters with different playstyles as you work to free South Korea's Seoul of an evil syndicate - it's pretty different from its predecessors, but packs that same humorous punch and stylistic aesthetic.
4 Crackdown
Saints Row 4 styles you as a superhero in a simulated reality with aliens pulling the strings, so Crackdown, another Xbox exclusive debut, is the perfect pick-me-up for enthusiasts that want something similar.
You're an agent working to take down gangs in the city. You do so by taking out important individuals one by one. As you progress, you'll level up various aspects that beef you up until you're truly an unstoppable killing machine with an arsenal to boot.
3 Watch Dogs 2
The first Watch Dogs was a bit hit and miss, with a promising concept that faltered somewhat in execution, but it wasn't terrible, and the sequel more than lived up to the idea promised with the original.
You're in San Francisco, working for a rebellious team of hackers, and as you traverse the open world, you can mess with the cops in all manners of hilarious ways, from ramming lifts into them to shutting down traffic lights to incite mayhem. Its colorful, vibrant techno aesthetic is fitting for anyone with a thing for Saints Row 3.
2 Mafia 2
There are a fair few Mafia games available. Each one has its positives, but the second might be the best combination of smooth gunplay and strong storytelling.
In the Godfather-styled crime drama, you delve into the 1940s, playing the part of a gangster in the Mafia, set in the dazzling city of New York, climbing the family ladder with promises of bounty to be had. If you were a fan of the first two Saints Rows, then this will be right up your alley.
1 Brutal Legend
Tenacious D and School of Rock fans will treasure Jack Black's headlined game, Brutal Legend, in which you use the power of rock and metal to subdue foes in a grueling hellish landscape.
This dystopian world is filled to the brim with headbangers, guitarists, and evil overlords with demonic designs. You, in the titular role of Eddie Riggs, embark on an adventure of liberation, driving your metalhead car around as you take down hordes of monstrous enemies with your trusty guitar.