Game Informer’s dropped off the first concrete details on THQ’s hotly anticipated crime ‘em up, Saints Row: The Third.
As revealed last week, the gangster sequel puts you in control of the Third Street Saints, who in recent years have established themselves as a household name. However, they’ve since become embroiled in an on-going war with rivals The Syndicate.
GI notes (via NeoGAF) that the third game puts you in control of the series’ staple custom-made hero, though this time around developer Volition’s included a “San Andreas-style” levelling system. Apparently, this feature will feed various attributes including your combat skill and even determine how fat or thin your character will be.
The publication further notes that the franchise’s trademark humour will pop up again, with players able to kit out their hero in an array of crazy clobber including space suites, cowboy outfits and cheerleader costumes.
In terms of weapons, gamers will be able to upgrade guns with various trinkets including sniper scopes and grenade launchers. In particular, an upgrade for the Shotgun augments an already meaty weapon with a third barrel, turning it into what’s known as the “Gravedigger.”
Cars have also benefited from a pimp-my-ride style upgrade system, with various aesthetical and performance poking and prodding at your disposal.
Meanwhile, missions can be approached in a variety of different manners, with the magazine outlining one example where players must assault an enemy tower. Here, you’ll be able to take the structure for yourself by force, or simply blow it sky high. The former, however, will net you additional dough for your troubles.
Also new to the table is the RC Gun, which launches electronic bugs that attach to vehicles allowing you to manipulate them remotely. GI notes that this weapon is upgradeable, meaning you’ll be able to snag bigger motors later on in the game. Airstrikes are also on the cards too, apparently.
Finally, it’s been confirmed that Saints Row: The Third has ditched multiplayer completely, with the online component instead focusing on co-op play.
The game’s out in fall 2011 for PlayStation 3, PC and Xbox 360.