Much has been said about the upcoming Saints Row reboot, especially when it comes to which classic characters should return in this new title. Developer Volition recently put a spotlight on the main characters of the new Saints Row, which features four new larger-than-life characters, none of whom appear to be returning from the classic series.
It's possible that some of the characters Saints Row fans have asked to see in the reboot will have their roles usurped by the new cast, but for the most part, it seems that these new characters are a bit more grounded than the previous cast. The new game will have players recruit real, relatable criminals for a new gang rather than join an existing gang, which means getting to know the new kids and what brings them to the Boss's attention.
The new cast features attention-grabbing ex-Idol Kevin, business mastermind Eli, and Neenah, the best getaway driver in the business. Neenah adores cars and wants out of the criminal life, thrill-seeking Kevin is introduced as a member of the Idols and gets lured away by the Boss, and Eli is a driven, ruthless entrepreneur whose start-up happens to be a criminal empire. As of writing, it appears the new Saints Row will not feature fan-favorite Johnny Gat, as he isn't mentioned in the summary--and the Boss appears to be taking their role as the ultimate murder machine, though it could be argued the Boss was always battling for that title.
Fitting for a getaway driver, Neenah has a deep and abiding love for cars and a knack for getting her hands dirty. Kevin is introduced as an Idol DJ and all-around people-pleaser--he definitely knows a guy who knows a guy. Both Kevin and Neenah are loyal people who will sacrifice a lot for their crew or friends respectively. Eli seems to be significantly less friendly than the others and potentially less loyal, too, since his character profile specifically notes that making money is more important to him than morality. As the game continues and the new Saints rise to the top, these three will start taking on a more familiar look while the Saints Row reboot takes the series back to its roots.
The developers also note that all four main characters, including the Boss, will begin with a police record, gang affiliation, or aspirations to a life of crime, but the Boss will still have to be the one who pulls the Saints together. Hopefully, this ragtag bunch of law-breaking misfits can fill the shoes of their over-the-top predecessors. It remains to be seen what lessons Saints Row 4 will carry over to the reboot.
Saints Row releases February 25 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Saints Row