SPOILERS AHEADSaints Row has a strong opening: it comes as no surprise that the Saints would climb to the top of the criminal corporate ladder in Santo Ileso but to see the new Boss buried at the start of their new game is a strong attention-getter. As players find themselves facing off with the various gangs of Saints Row, there's a constant question of who puts the new Boss in the ground. Unfortunately, many of the characters and gangs of the new title simply are not interesting, but this plot twist is something that could, perhaps, keep some fans engaged.
Indeed, it's such a strong opening that many may have stuck it out with Saints Row's shortcomings just to see who gets to their Boss and to see how they react. Unfortunately, not only is it incredibly anti-climactic, but the character who does this has perhaps the oddest reasoning in the franchise: The Nahualli.
Saints Row: Someone Give The Nahualli a Hug
The Nahualli appears in Saints Rows' first mission, where players end up arresting them. Bringing him back for the plot twist (and the ongoing story before that) makes sense; it would bring the story full circle. So, it makes sense for the Saints to bust him out of prison, to try to build some trust with him, and pull off an amazing heist alongside him. This heist propels the Saints to power, but it's not the power, it's not revenge, and it's not that surprising what leads Nahualli to bury the boss and kidnap his friends. It doesn't really come full circle. The Nahualli wants the Boss' life, but specifically, he wants the Boss' friends. That's it.
The similarities between the new Saints Row Boss and the Nahualli is something the game makes very clear: they're both murdering machines. They both build a powerful network, and they both have natural leadership skills. The one thing the Nahualli doesn't have is friends and perhaps even the capability to be as vulnerable and to trust to even be a friend. But, seeing what the Boss has in this tight-knit crew leads the Nahualli to want it for himself. And instead of joining them, as he could've, or instead of setting out to find his own, he kidnaps the new characters.
Perhaps, if the new Saints Row characters were likable, this would make the rescue mission more emotional. It's got its moment in terms of combat and stupid fun, but it easily leaves players scratching their heads more than anything.
Saints Row is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.