Territory Control

Lore & Background

For the 3rd Street Saints, territory is central to their rise from a small-time crew to a criminal empire. In Saints Row, the player character is arrested and, while being transported to prison, the convoy is ambushed by the Saints, who rescue the protagonist. After joining the Saints, the player helps take back the Saint's Row district from their rivals. From there, the player's goal is to take over the entire city by weakening the gangs that control each district. The player does so by completing both main and side missions related to each enemy faction, which can be carried out solo or with the help of fellow gang members. In Saints Row 2, set roughly five years later, the 3rd Street Saints have fallen from grace, allowing three new gangs—the Ronin, the Brotherhood, and the Sons of Samedi—to take over the Saints' former territories. After recruiting new and old allies, the Boss works to restore the Saints to power, this time as the gang's leader, with missions structured similarly to the first game. Notably, the Saint's Row district is now controlled by the Ronin, though Ultor later gentrifies the district as part of the game's story.

In Their Own Story

The neon sign above the bodega flickered out as the last rival gang member slumped against the brick wall. A moment later, the graffiti on the alleyway seemed to pulse with a new, vibrant blue hue, signaling the shift in power. The Saints had arrived. Within minutes, the street was no longer a contested zone of fear but a revenue-generating asset for the 3rd Street Saints, another piece of the city claimed under their banner.

Reader's Guide

This mechanic matters because it drives the progression of the game. In Saints Row, the player must complete both main and side missions related to each enemy faction to weaken them and take over their districts. In Saints Row 2, the story is structured similarly, with players undertaking missions related to each gang they must defeat, as well as the Ultor Corporation later in the storyline. These missions are mostly independent from each other and require the player to gain respect by completing side activities first. Without sufficient territory, the player cannot progress the narrative, as the game's structure requires taking over the entire city in the name of the Saints.

Did You Know?

• In Saints Row, the player's goal is to take over the entire city of Stilwater by weakening the gangs that control each district.
• Saints Row 2 is set roughly five years after the first game, with three new gangs—the Ronin, the Brotherhood, and the Sons of Samedi—having taken over the Saints' former territories.
• In Saints Row 2, the Saint's Row district is initially controlled by the Ronin, but Ultor later gentrifies the district as part of the story.
• Missions in Saints Row 2 do not require respect to unlock; respect is instead used for upgrades and purchasing cribs.