Games Can Learn From Saints Row’s Customization

I’ve been a big fan of the Saints Row franchise for a while. I like the tongue-in-cheek style, I like the outlandish action, and I like that the franchise is just plain fun. It gives me the freedom and criminal exploits of a GTA game, while also being less serious and more on the silly side. However, something occurred to me that I think more games (regardless of genre) could learn from, namely in terms of customization.

I understand the call for more conservative clothing options in regard to female characters. Lara Croft spent most of her early years in a crop top and booty shorts so that characters like Aloy could hunt machines in sensible clothing. However, sometimes I just wanna dress up my character in something pretty, sexy, wild, or silly, regardless of gender. Maybe I want my female Boss in the new Saints Row to run around in a Tutu and Pasties.

Alternately, maybe I want my male Boss to run around in no shirt, an open jacket, and a thong or speedo, with high-heeled boots on. You don’t have to show up in jeans and a T-shirt to run a criminal empire, this YMCA has all sorts of village people in it. Most modern games with character customization want you to be serious about it, and I’m okay with that.

However, I do think there is room in the industry for more wild and silly choices. Does it really harm anyone’s experience in a single-player game if I choose to dress up my characters in weird, wild, socially unacceptable ways? No, not really. Granted, modding can sometimes help with this, but you always open yourself up to odd bugs and issues with mods. Not only that, but most console games don’t have modded access.

This isn’t really a revolutionary idea. In fact, I think more games could benefit from the idea of just putting things in for fun, rather than focusing on realism or the serious option. Yes, there are places for serious concepts and narratives. Yet, even in serious games, there should be moments of laughter and fun, otherwise, it can just be a rough slog.

A good example is Dead by Daylight, where survivors and killers sometimes get silly or goofy skins. Sometimes it is just fun to be able to customize your characters in ways that aren’t always realistic. Personally, I’m a fan of the sexy type of cosmetics on male characters because who doesn’t like eye candy. Regardless though, there’s just more room in the industry for fun customization.

This also can extend to mechanics outside of customization. There was a large span of time where games just had elements in them that didn’t serve a practical purpose but were fun. Animal Crossing had entire arcade cabinets where you could play classic Nintendo games, for example. Bayonetta had a random dance scene after the credits, just so you could watch Bayonetta dance for a few minutes after you finished the game.

Contrary to what I might say, it isn’t all about objectifying male characters the way women have been objectified for decades (or centuries really). It is about bringing back fun elements that aren’t meant to serve a purpose beyond entertainment. The Yakuza games are full of Mini Games, most of which aren’t necessary to finish the game. This is what I’m talking about. What are your favorite “just for fun” elements? Let us know in the comments.