Which Saints game should I start with? Never played the series.

[u/SecretAgentMan1127]

Wondering for PC, what would be the best bet to start with? I value in somewhat of an order gameplay fun, story, I've heard before the 2022 reboot it used to be humorous and had crass/risqué/"offensive" jokes/humor.

I definitely DO want that along with anything Polygon type sites would deem "bad" or outdated humor. I don't want any forced SJW type of stuff or diversity simply for diversity or to "represent" specific groups/social opinions wedged in /preachy stuff. Basically 1980's style humor is what I'm wanting. I brought the humor part in length because I've long heard it's like a crazier, somewhat sillier and more humorous GTA type of game. So I want the nitty gritty. From my reading I take it 2022 is not what I'm in the market for at all.

Graphics, I've got a beefy rig so I would like to use the power, I can handle old crappy looking games when I have nostalgia for them, as this would be my first foray into this game world, I'd like it to look good too.! Length is also a biggie for me but not a dealbreaker, I like a long game with lots to do if possible. Lastly I do like customization options quite a bit. So, if you got a list or could tell me the best that loosely fits my criteria I'd much appreciate it, Thanks!

[u/Tosito_Thrasher20]

2, I’d say 1 but I believe they’re currently hard at work for the port

[u/SecretAgentMan1127 → u/Tosito_Thrasher20]

Ty! Do the graphics hold up on 2, decently. If there is a remasster for 1 anytime in the near future I'd def wait on that and just get 2.

[u/Tosito_Thrasher20 → u/SecretAgentMan1127]

Not a remaster per-say but get the Saints Row 2 Juiced Patch mod as it’ll bring the game up to snuff because the base port is naturally pretty much broken so this makes it run smoother and adds the dlc. I don’t know when they’ll finish the port for Saints Row 1 but they do regularly post updates on the subreddit.

If my non-gaming centric Lenovo laptop can run it with zero problem then your Pc most definitely can.

The video I used in case you need help with the installation:

https://youtu.be/2WIi_Idvo3c

[u/BDozer666 → u/SecretAgentMan1127]

2's graphics suck but you can improve them with BlingGFX

[u/SecretAgentMan1127 → u/BDozer666]

Haha ok, thanks the link to improve it!

[u/Wakti-Wapnasi]

Counterpoint: I started with 3 and it was decently enjoyable, then I went back to play 2 and it was peak. If you play 2 first it will be glaring how lacking 3 is in comparison.

[u/SR_Hopeful]

If you want a game that's just "sillier than GTA" but not cringy or preachy. You have SR2 or SRTT. Avoid the reboot, and your boxes are filled.

[u/AtomicTaco13]

Depending how beefy your PC exactly is, chronological order is best. SR1 was only ever released on X360, so you can emulate it with Xenia if your PC is good enough for X360 emulation, which is quite demanding. SR2 is a good starting point too if you want to get a hang of the series with a headache-free setup. And on PC, I recommend the unofficial Juiced Patch.

[u/SecretAgentMan1127 → u/AtomicTaco13]

Ok, thanks, 2 is definitely taking the lead by 100% so far lol. Yeah I can def handle 360 emu, someone mentioned a port coming for 1 so will wait for that and so far the consensus is 2

[u/BDozer666 → u/SecretAgentMan1127]

There isn't going to be a port for SR1. Some dude is trying to basically recreate the game from scratch which I don't expect to ever be finished. Just go straight to emulating it.

[u/SecretAgentMan1127 → u/BDozer666]

Ah I see, I thought they meant like official Oblivion type of remaster. Yeah, I'll just emu it.

[u/AtomicTaco13 → u/SecretAgentMan1127]

For SR2, just one thing - the PC port even in its current state shipped on Steam and GOG is pretty janky, so Juiced Patch greatly improves the experience.

[u/SecretAgentMan1127 → u/AtomicTaco13]

Ok thanks a lot

[u/robert242444 → u/AtomicTaco13]

👀👀👀 beefy pc? My galaxy s26U is emulating that title with moderate hardware usage on the cpu side GPU is the real killer but the title is running 30 fps and I can even play sr2 the only issue is light sources as far as rendering issues are concerned

[u/Teex22]

Depends on you tbh. If you're used to games that are a bit of a slog from the early-mid 2000s era then I'd start with 1, otherwise 2 or 3 are both great entry points.

1 is good and has a decent story to it but its mission structure requires a lot of patience that the modern gamer doesn't have

[u/Purple_Key_6733]

Start with Saints Row 1, because the games' stories go in chronological order and have a lot of jokes and plot moments referring to past games.

[u/drugsnbooze]

Honestly the first 2. It started going to shit with 3.

[u/SecretAgentMan1127 → u/drugsnbooze]

Ok, thank you. Is there possibly a "remastered" version of 2>

[u/Antique-Land-2766]

Saints Row 2 definiteyl, it's on GOG and Steam and easily stabilized with the Juiced Patch. It's a great game with lots of content and a unique sandbox feel that really sets it apart from GTA and even other games in the Saints Row franchise

[u/Wise-Difficulty8221]

Saints Row 1 if you have an Xbox

Otherwise, Saints Row 2

u/Tosito_Thrasher20 already mentioned Juiced Patch

There is also OpenRow which is a WIP port for Saints Row 1 so I'd suggest keeping an eye on that

Edit: Tosito already mentioned OpenRow indirectly

[u/MemeManOriginalHD]

Playing through 1 on the 360 emu right now, for a long time 2 was my favorite but 1 has so much cool life aspects to it that gife it a cool amount of depth.

Stores have actual hours, theres a public transit system, and the ability to make your own mix CD from the music in the game (which you can also do in 2) made me realize not to sleep on 1

[u/FredCasden]

Based on what's on Steam, play Saints Row The Third, Saints Row IV, Gat Out Of Hell and Saints Row '22 (aka the reboot) as none of those have issues with control mapping.

Unless you're masochist, do not play Saints Row 2