This is our inaugural review here at the dojo, so what better coop game to start with than 2013's Saints' Row 4. Saints Row has long been one of our favorite series. Though something of a Grand Theft Auto rip-off, the game actually leapfrogged over GTA with it's online cooperative mode that has been part of the series since Saints' Row 2. Two characters can both explore the full world and the entire storyline (though one character is ignored in cutscene cinematics, Halo-style). Even more fun, you can fully customize your protagonist in appearance and (to a certain extent) voice. We've played through as Walter White, Killface, Stubbs the Zombie, and Louie CK.

The game itself places your (again entirely customizable) hero in the White House during an alien invasion. The aliens win very quickly and you're consigned to a virtual reality which looks an awful lot like Stillwater. However, not unlike Neo, you are able to perform some superhero tricks while in the simulation and these tricks help you escape the Stillwater simulation and return to your ship. Meanwhile, flying, telekinesis, and fire throwing all become part of regular play. Getting around with enormous high jumps rather than stealing a car was a welcome change and tossing fireballs and lightning bolts is much more fun that finding ammunition for shotguns and pistols. The superhero power were a bold choice for the game and they make this game something special.

Saints' Row has a long history by now though, we have to confess, we were did not catch many of the references to previous games, enemies, and backstories. This didn't matter, though, as usually the reason things are happening is not nearly as important as the audacity of what is happening, and Saints' Row has some audacious moments. Plot does eventually fall away and leaves the final acts feeling bare and then ending very abruptly. Then again, this is an action sandbox game and it provides a lot of hours of fun gameplay. Leave the dramatic storylines for GTA, Saints Row is all about having fun.

GRAPHICS: Graphically, Saints Row is great but not perfect. Some of this is by design; as you're in a simulation most of the time, objects popping in and out seems fitting. Some glitches, though, reflect graphical limitations and falling into negative space or freezing (requiring a hard restart) happened a few times over the course of the game. Further, most of the game is played in a dreary virtual reality and it's only near the end of the game that Saints' Row finally lets you play with a starry sky (and not just a murky cloudiness). Graphics: 80

GAMEPLAY: Game play is a blast. Charged with super powers, your character bounces across town, tossing enemies with telekinesis or blasting them with fire. Your near-godlike powers are handled well, and returning to guns during some stages is something of a let-down after the excitement of playing as a superhero. Even the regular guns are fun also, the Dubstep Gun, the Blackhole Gun, the Abduction Gun, and the 'Merica (combination a rocket launcher, flamethrower, and machine gun) were some of our favorites. Gameplay: 90

REPLAYABILITY: Saints Row games are always open for replay. There's no particular reason to play again, but gameplay is breezy and fun so you and a coop compadre can always return to it to blow of some steam. So, no reason to play again, but no reason not to either. Replayability: 85

OVERALL: 85

Gotta play it. Give Saints Row a chance, you'll enjoy it.