Sunday, 8 Dec 2024

Agents of Mayhem

I had the chance to get hands-on with Agents of Mayhem at E3, and it’s safe to say that this game is a worthy evolution of the beloved Saint’s Row series. While the initial reveals left me uncertain, my time playing the game reassured me that it captures the essence of Saint’s Row while offering a fresh experience.

A New Adventure in the Saint’s Row Universe

Volition, the studio behind the game, describes Agents of Mayhem as “G.I. Joe versus Cobra 2020,” a concept inspired by a focus tester’s feedback. The game takes place in an alternate universe with ties to the world of Saint’s Row. As a member of Mayhem, a group led by Persephone, your goal is to take down the dastardly Legion and its assortment of boss characters.

Dynamic Gameplay and Engaging Characters

In Agents of Mayhem, you play as a character named Hollywood, accompanied by Fortune and Hardback. The game allows you to switch seamlessly between these three agents, even during dialogue, with each character offering unique conversations. This feature provides a glimpse into how each agent would react to various situations.

The game also introduces a specialized car that can be summoned instantly, eliminating the need to steal random cars. Additionally, your character possesses a triple jump and a range of specialized powers. During my demo, I experienced the thrill of using powerful abilities such as launching a giant rolling ball to bowl over enemies or trapping them in a floating ball, stunning them.

Diverse Stories and Familiar Tone

Agents of Mayhem offers both cooperative gameplay missions and dedicated story missions for individual agents. I had the opportunity to play as Oni, a John Wick-inspired former Yakuza member, in one of these solo missions. Oni’s story was more serious, highlighting the game’s ability to create diverse and engaging narratives. Other characters, like a German soccer hooligan, added a touch of goofiness and humor that fans of the Saint’s Row universe will appreciate.

Conclusion

Agents of Mayhem succeeds in providing an enjoyable open-world single-player experience. While I initially questioned why Volition didn’t simply create a new Saint’s Row game, my time with Agents of Mayhem has left me excited to explore this new world with its fresh characters, while still enjoying the familiar gameplay and tone that made Saint’s Row so beloved.

FAQs

  • Q: Is Agents of Mayhem a multiplayer game?

    • A: No, it is primarily a single-player experience focused on open-world gameplay.
  • Q: Do I need to play the previous Saint’s Row games to enjoy Agents of Mayhem?

    • A: While Agents of Mayhem is set in the same universe, it offers a standalone story that can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of the Saint’s Row series.