When Saints Row: The Third Remastered dropped onto PS4, Xbox One, PC, and later PS5/Xbox Series X|S, it wasn't just the shiny new lighting effects or the higher-resolution textures that stole the show. For many of us, the real magic began before the first parachute jump—right in the Character Creation menu.
If you’ve never played a Saints Row game, you might think character creators are just about picking a face. But veterans know the truth: The Boss is an extension of your personality. And in the Remastered version? It’s never looked better.
This is the number one complaint regarding Saints Row 3 Remastered character creation. You spend an hour building the perfect anti-hero, then the first cinematic with Pierce or Shaundi hits, and your character looks like a melted action figure.
The Problem: The remaster uses dynamic facial animations (facial rigging) mapped onto your custom geometry. If your character has a very small chin or eyes set too deep, the animation will stretch the skin unnaturally.
The Solution (The "Emote Test"):
Pro Tip: In the remaster, "Neutral" faces look best. The exaggerated cartoon expressions of the original release look broken now because the skin moves too realistically.
The Saints Row 3 Remastered character creation splits control into distinct categories. Here is the breakdown of what actually matters.
Saints Row 3 Remastered didn't reinvent the wheel, but it polished it until it gleamed like a pimp’s cane. The character creator is a chaotic sandbox that prioritizes fun over realism.
Do you want to look like a cyberpunk samurai? A suburban dad lost in a crime spree? A clown with a rocket launcher? The tools are here, and now they look gorgeous doing it.
So go ahead. Spend an hour making the ugliest, coolest, or weirdest Boss you can imagine. Steelport is waiting—and it deserves to be conquered in style.
Ready to create your Boss? Share your craziest character creation screenshots in the comments below!
The character creation in Saints Row: The Third Remastered remains one of the most flexible and celebrated features of the game, providing a robust suite of tools to craft anything from a realistic self-portrait to a surreal, purple-skinned alien.
The remaster, developed by Sperasoft, overhauled the game’s original models and lighting while maintaining the core mechanics of the original 2011 release. Core Customization Features
The character creator is first accessed after the opening mission, "When Good Heists Go Bad". Players can further modify their characters at any time by visiting an Image As Designed plastic surgery clinic or by using the in-game phone.
Body Type Sliders: Instead of rigid presets, the game uses a triangular slider that allows players to find a balance between Fat, Skinny, and Muscular.
The "Sex Appeal" Slider: A signature of the series, this slider adjusts specific anatomical features (groin for males, breast size for females).
Facial Sculpting: There are extensive sliders for every facial feature, including 16 different sliders for the nose alone (bridge depth, nostril width, septum height, etc.) and deep customization for the eyes, ears, and mouth.
Voices and Personality: You can choose from several distinct voices (including the fan-favorite Zombie voice) and select "Compliments" and "Taunts" that determine how your character interacts with others. Remastered vs. Original: What Changed?
The Remastered version brings significant visual upgrades but also introduces some controversial changes to the aesthetic.
Character Customization Reaches a New Dimension The character creation system in Saints Row: The Third Remastered delivers one of the most expressive, irreverent, and visually polished sandboxes in gaming history. Taking the celebrated system from the 2011 original, the remaster introduces completely redone human textures, high-quality skin and iris rendering, and a completely overhauled lighting system.
Whether you want to build a serious street gangster, recreate your favorite celebrity, or run around as a neon-tinted superhero, the customization tools give you complete artistic freedom. 🎨 Master the Basics of Character Creation
Your journey as the Boss of the Third Street Saints starts immediately after completing the introductory mission, "When Good Heists Go Bad," and right before you drop into "I'm Free - Free Falling". If you want to change your look later, you can simply visit any Image As Designed clinic across Steelport to completely remake your character for a small fee. 1. Build and Body Shape
Saints Row departs from standard body weight sliders by utilizing a build triangle. You can freely pull the slider between three distinct poles:
The character creation in Saints Row: The Third Remastered one of the game's strongest selling points, offering a "generous" and "fairly limitless" level of customization that holds up well even years after its original release
[13, 31]. While the core systems are identical to the 2011 original, the remaster significantly enhances the visual fidelity of your creations. Key Improvements in the Remaster Visual Overhaul
: Character models have been reworked from the ground up, featuring noticeably better skin texturing, detailed veins, and more realistic eyes [22, 25]. Enhanced Materials
: Clothing textures—particularly leather and denim—look much more authentic, with creases and material properties that react to the new lighting engine [17, 22]. New Physical Details
: The remaster adds physics to hair and jewelry, along with additional customization options like nail color and more varied makeup [26]. Instant Access to DLC
: Because the remaster includes all original DLC, you have access to a massive library of "completely impractical but very amusing" costumes from the very start of the game [24]. Strengths & Features Total Creative Freedom
: You can create anything from "washed-up celebrities to maskless ninja pirates" [36]. Dynamic Changes
: Players can visit "Image as Designed" plastic surgery clinics at any time to completely change their gender, race, or build—or even use the in-game phone to swap appearances on the fly [28]. Diverse Voices
: The creator includes multiple voice options (including the fan-favorite "Zombie" voice) that change how your character interacts during the story's many cutscenes [13, 26]. Common Criticisms The "Creepy" Factor
: Some reviewers noted that the high-resolution textures can make certain faces look "off-putting" or "creepy" under specific lighting conditions [12, 17]. Legacy Limitations : Compared to Saints Row 2
, some find the "Body Morph" slider less nuanced, as it primarily makes characters bulkier rather than changing specific proportions [26, 27]. Technical Issues
: While visual quality is up, some players reported stiff lip-syncing and occasional mouth-movement glitches in cutscenes where teeth appeared too large for the mouth [22, 31]. saints row 3 remastered character creation
Are you looking to recreate a specific character or celebrity, or do you want tips on how to use the "Image as Designed" clinic?
From Steelport with Style: The Art of Character Creation in Saints Row: The Third Remastered
In the landscape of open-world gaming, few franchises have embraced the philosophy of "player expression" quite as fervently as Saints Row. While the Remastered edition of Saints Row: The Third is celebrated for its visual overhaul—bringing lighting, textures, and effects up to modern standards—the true heart of the experience remains the Boss. The character creation suite in Saints Row: The Third Remastered is not merely a utility; it is a cornerstone of the game’s identity, serving as the primary vehicle through which players engage with the game’s themes of excess, absurdity, and total ownership.
The first aspect that distinguishes the character creation in Saints Row: The Third is its revolutionary approach to gender. Unlike many of its contemporaries, which force players into strictly binary male or female archetypes with rigid animations, Saints Row introduced a slider mechanic. By allowing players to blend masculine and feminine features, the game offered a level of androgyny and fluidity that was years ahead of its time. In the Remastered version, this feature retains its power, allowing for the creation of a Boss that defies traditional categorization. This mechanic aligns perfectly with the game’s narrative: the Boss is whoever the player wants them to be, unrestricted by societal norms or developer-imposed limitations.
Furthermore, the depth of customization feeds directly into the game’s overarching theme of power fantasy. The suite offers granular control over almost every aspect of the avatar's physiology. Players can adjust muscle definition, body fat, and the aging of the skin with precise sliders. This attention to detail ensures that the Boss feels unique. Whether the player wishes to create a grizzled veteran, an overweight psychopath, or a supermodel-turned-criminal-mastermind, the tools are readily available. The Remastered edition enhances this by improving the fidelity of skin textures and lighting, making these physical choices pop on the screen with a level of realism that the original 2011 release could not achieve.
However, the true brilliance of the system lies in its embrace of the absurd. Saints Row: The Third is a game that acknowledges its own ridiculousness, and the character creator encourages players to participate in the joke. The ability to customize "sex appeal" via a slider—humorously adjusting the size of breasts or genitals—is a prime example of the game’s tongue-in-cheek tone. It invites players to create caricatures rather than realistic avatars. This freedom extends to the selection of voices, which include distinct options ranging from a smooth Latino accent to the zombie-like growls of a horror movie extra. By allowing the player to pair a serious, menacing voice with a comically disproportionate body, the game establishes its satirical tone before the first mission even begins.
Finally, the integration of this creation tool into the gameplay loop is seamless. In many RPGs, character creation is a one-time event. In Saints Row: The Third Remastered, the Boss is a fluid entity. The player can visit a plastic surgeon at any time to completely overhaul their appearance. This reinforces the narrative of the Third Street Saints as a brand rather than just a gang. The Boss is a celebrity, capable of reinventing themselves at a moment's notice. This mechanic keeps the gameplay fresh and allows the player to match their avatar to their current mood or the specific chaos they plan to unleash upon Steelport.
In conclusion, the character creation in Saints Row: The Third Remastered is a triumph of design that transcends simple aesthetics. By removing the rigidity of gender binaries, offering immense physical depth, and wholeheartedly embracing the absurd, the system empowers the player to become a true co-author of the experience. It is a perfect mirror for the game itself: loud, unrestrained, and unapologetically fun. The Remastered graphics may provide the polish, but the player’s imagination provides the soul of the Boss.
The character creation system in Saints Row: The Third Remastered is a modernized version of the original 2011 classic. It maintains the series' "anything goes" philosophy while benefiting from significantly upgraded lighting, high-definition textures, and revamped character models. 🎨 Core Customization Features
The remaster retains the original's deep mechanics, allowing for extreme creativity or absurdity.
Triangle Body Slider: Unlike standard sliders, this uses a triangular grid to balance three attributes: Fat, Skinny, and Muscular.
Sex Appeal: A dedicated slider that adjusts specific physical proportions (breast size for women, bulge size for men).
Complete Flexibility: You can change your gender, voice, and appearance at any point during the game by visiting an Image as Design clinic.
Voices: Six distinct personality voices (3 male, 3 female), each with unique dialogue and "Zombie" vocal options.
Taunts and Compliments: Players can choose specific animations for their character's personality. ✨ Remastered Enhancements
While the gameplay mechanics remain the same, the visual fidelity is the primary draw of the Remastered version on Steam.
Model Fidelity: Characters feature much higher polygon counts, resulting in smoother features and more realistic skin textures.
Lighting Engine: A new lighting system drastically changes how skin, hair, and clothing react to environmental light, correcting the "plastic" look often cited in the original.
Visual Parity: User discussions on Reddit confirm that while the options are identical to the 2011 release, the "Electricia" showcase and other fan creations look significantly more detailed. 🛠️ Step-by-Step Character Setup
Customization begins after the first mission, "When Good Heists Go Bad." Archetype Selection: Choose a base model to start with.
Physical Features: Adjust skin tone, age, and the body triangle.
Facial Sculpting: Fine-tune individual features (eyes, nose, mouth) using dozens of detailed sliders.
Hair and Makeup: Select styles and use a full color wheel for highlights and primary colors.
Tattoos: Apply art to various body segments (arms, legs, chest, back).
Clothing: Visit stores like Planet Saints or Leather & Lace to layer outfits. 🎭 Community Reception
The system is widely considered a high point for the genre. Reviewers and players on Reddit's r/gaming frequently rank Saints Row as having one of the most flexible character creators, often comparing it favorably to GTA Online for its lack of restrictions and ease of use.
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18;write_to_target_document1a;_HwDuadj_IInfwN4PvdGv-AM_20;56; 0;2172;0;13ad; The character creation system in Saints Row: The Third Remastered
0;807;0;982; represents a perfect marriage of legacy sandbox freedom and modernized visual fidelity. When developer Volition originally released the title, it was lauded for its uncompromising, boundary-free approach to player identity. The remastered edition preserves this core philosophy while leveraging upgraded skin texturing, realistic lighting, and advanced material rendering to bring those player-created avatars into the modern era. 0;16;
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The hallmark of the Saints Row franchise has always been its rejection of rigid constraints, and the character creator in the third entry is the peak realization of this ethos. 0;16; 0;3b8;0;46d;
Gender Fluidity: The game famously eschews locked gender binaries. Players can seamlessly blend masculine and feminine physical traits, voice profiles, and walking animations without arbitrary restrictions.
Extreme Customization:0;aff; The system allows for everything from perfectly proportioned digital look-alikes to garish, neon-skinned monsters. When Saints Row: The Third Remastered dropped onto
The "Sex Appeal" Slider: A notoriously self-aware feature that allows players to adjust body proportions with a slider, leaning heavily into the game’s signature crude humor and satirical nature. 18;write_to_target_document7;default0;b5e;18;write_to_target_document1a;_HwDuadj_IInfwN4PvdGv-AM_20;2a; 0;f5;0;195; ✨ Remastered Visual Fidelity 0;16;
The remastered edition did not fundamentally overhaul the mechanics of the creator, but it radically transformed the output. The updated engine swapped out the flat, cartoonish textures of the 2011 original for sophisticated, physically-based rendering. 0;16;
Skin and Eye Detail: The skin shaders and eye reflections received massive overhauls, allowing custom faces to react dynamically to the new global illumination system.
Clothing Materials:0;107f; Leather, denim, and metallic fabrics look distinct and tactile, making the vast wardrobe feel incredibly rewarding to experiment with.
The Hair Dilemma: While lighting and clothing were universally praised, community discussions on Reddit 0;90e; noted that hair modeling sometimes struggled to transition from the original game's blocky aesthetic to the remaster's high-definition lighting. 0;2a;
18;write_to_target_document7;default0;dc4;0;dc4;18;write_to_target_document1a;_HwDuadj_IInfwN4PvdGv-AM_20;a5; 🎬 Narrative and Satirical Impact 0;16;
In many role-playing games, a heavily customized character can feel out of place during serious cinematic moments. Saints Row: The Third circumvents this issue by embracing absurdity. The protagonist, known simply as "The Boss," is the leader of a global media empire and street gang. Whether you are playing as a standard action hero or a giant purple alien in a toilet mascot costume, the game fully commits to your choice. The dialogue is fully voiced by several diverse voice actors, ensuring that your custom avatar never feels like a silent, detached observer in their own story. 18;write_to_target_document7;default0;b5e;18;write_to_target_document1a;_HwDuadj_IInfwN4PvdGv-AM_20;16;
Ultimately, the character creator in Saints Row: The Third Remastered stands as a testament to player agency. By refusing to take itself too seriously, it grants gamers a sandbox of self-expression that few modern titles have managed to replicate with the same level of unadulterated fun. 0;16;
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Here’s a short piece on the topic:
“The Plastic Surgery of Power: Character Creation in Saints Row: The Third Remastered”
In the original Saints Row: The Third, you built a monster—then dressed it in a hotdog suit. The Remastered edition doesn’t reinvent that wheel, but it does chrome-plate every spoke.
The character creator remains a delightful paradox: astonishing depth wrapped in pure absurdity. Sliders for nostril width, clavicle protrusion, and tattoo opacity sit next to a voice selector that lets your gang boss sound like a Nolan North parody or a zombie. The Remastered’s visual overhaul—improved lighting, higher-resolution textures, and buttery 4K—turns that customization into something genuinely cinematic. Skin glows with sweat under neon. Gold chains catch streetlight like loot. Every scar and eyebrow slit now renders with almost uncomfortable clarity.
What makes this creator sing, though, isn’t realism—it’s ownership. You’re not making a hero. You’re making your unhinged, mascot-headed, leopard-print-clad warlord. The remaster preserves every glorious, broken slider bug and physics-defying breast physics from 2011, then washes it in HDR. It’s not elegant. It’s excessive. And that’s the point.
In a genre where character creators often chase dignity, Saints Row 3 Remastered hands you a flamethrower and says, “Make yourself look ridiculous—then conquer the city.” That freedom, polished to a mirror shine, is the game’s quiet masterpiece.
The character creation in Saints Row: The Third Remastered retains the deep, "anything goes" customization of the original while significantly upgrading character models with more human-like textures and a new lighting engine. Key Features of the Remastered Creator Visual Overhaul
: All human models have been completely redone for higher fidelity. Body Archetypes : Uses a unique triangular slider to balance between physiques. No Gender Gating
: You can apply any hairstyle, voice, or auxiliary feature regardless of the chosen gender. Extreme Customization
: Options include everything from skin color (including purple or metallic) to "Sex Appeal" sliders. Nudity Filter
: Like the original, nudity remains pixelated rather than fully uncensored. Changes from the Original Slider Values
: While the features are the same, some slider increments have changed (e.g., jumping in multiples of 3 or 5 instead of 1), though the end results remain largely identical. No Character Upload
: The "My Steelport" portal used to share characters in the original PC version is not available in the Remastered edition. How to Access The creation suite first appears after the opening mission, "When Good Heists Go Bad"
. You can later modify your appearance at any time by visiting a "Image as Designed" clinic in Steelport. Saints Row Wiki slider settings for a particular celebrity or character look?
The Ultimate Guide to Character Creation in Saints Row: The Third Remastered
Steelport is back and looking better than ever. While the core gameplay remains as chaotic as you remember, Saints Row: The Third Remastered
brings a significant visual overhaul to your favorite playground of destruction. At the heart of this experience is the character creator—the "Boss Factory" where you define your legacy.
Here is everything you need to know about crafting your perfect Boss in the remastered edition. What’s New in the Remastered Creator?
The remaster doesn't just re-release old content; it breathes new life into it with high-resolution textures and a brand-new lighting engine.
Upgraded Models & Textures: Character models feature improved skin texturing, more detailed eyes, and reworked materials for clothing.
Global Lighting System: The new lighting engine significantly changes how your character looks in different environments, adding a layer of realism (though some fans find it makes certain hairstyles look a bit "solid" or waxy).
Detailed Clothing: Every piece of gear, from leather jackets to latex suits, has been re-rendered to show off realistic fabric details and reflections. Core Customization Features
If you’re a newcomer or just need a refresher, the depth of customization in Saints Row remains its strongest suit. Pro Tip: In the remaster, "Neutral" faces look best
The Triangular Body Slider: Instead of simple presets, use the triangular slider to balance your physique between Fat, Skinny, and Muscular.
Personality & Voice: Choose from several voice tracks (including Hispanic, Asian, and Caucasian options) and set your "Sex Appeal" slider for that classic Saints Row flair.
Image as Designed: Don't worry about being locked into your look. You can visit any "Image as Designed" clinic in Steelport at any time to completely overhaul your face, body, or gender for a small fee. Top Tips for Creating a Legend
Saints Row 3 Remastered Character Creation: A Guide to Creating Your Perfect Hero
The Saints Row series has always been known for its over-the-top action, dark humor, and of course, its outrageous character customization options. With the release of Saints Row 3 Remastered, players can once again experience the thrill of leading the 3rd Street Saints through the streets of Steelport. In this blog post, we'll dive into the character creation process and provide you with some tips and tricks to help you create the ultimate Saints Row 3 Remastered character.
Getting Started with Character Creation
When you first start playing Saints Row 3 Remastered, you'll be thrown into the character creation menu, where you'll get to craft your very own playable character. The game offers a wide range of options to choose from, allowing you to customize your character's appearance, clothing, and even their personality.
Choosing Your Character's Appearance
The first step in creating your character is to choose their appearance. You'll be presented with a variety of sliders and options to tweak your character's face, body shape, and skin tone. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Selecting Your Character's Clothing
Once you've got your character's appearance sorted, it's time to dress them up. Saints Row 3 Remastered offers a wide range of clothing options, from streetwear to full-on gang attire. Here are a few tips:
Defining Your Character's Personality
The final step in character creation is to define your character's personality. You'll be presented with a series of dialogue options and choices that will determine your character's voice, attitude, and even their relationships with other characters. Here are a few tips:
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few additional tips and tricks to keep in mind when creating your Saints Row 3 Remastered character:
Conclusion
Character creation is a key part of the Saints Row experience, and Saints Row 3 Remastered is no exception. With its wide range of customization options and outrageous character designs, the game offers a wealth of creative possibilities. By following these tips and tricks, you'll be able to create a character that's truly unique and reflective of your personality. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start creating your perfect Saints Row 3 Remastered character!
Example Character Builds
To give you some inspiration, here are a few example character builds:
The Evolution of Chaos: A Deep Dive into Saints Row 3 Remastered Character Creation
The Saints Row series has long been synonymous with over-the-top action, dark humor, and a healthy dose of satire. With the release of Saints Row 3 Remastered, the iconic open-world franchise has been reborn for a new generation of gamers. One of the most crucial aspects of the Saints Row experience is character creation, allowing players to craft their own unique protagonist and immerse themselves in the game's irreverent world. In this essay, we'll explore the character creation process in Saints Row 3 Remastered, examining its mechanics, features, and significance within the context of the game.
A Brief History of Saints Row Character Creation
The Saints Row series has a rich history of character creation, dating back to the first game in 2006. Initially, the series featured a more straightforward approach to character customization, with players able to choose from a limited selection of pre-made characters or tweak facial features and clothing. As the series progressed, however, the character creation process became increasingly sophisticated. Saints Row 2 introduced more detailed character customization options, including a wider range of facial features, hairstyles, and tattoos. Saints Row: The Third, the original game on which Saints Row 3 Remastered is based, took this to the next level with a robust character creation system that allowed players to craft truly unique protagonists.
Saints Row 3 Remastered Character Creation: A Comprehensive System
In Saints Row 3 Remastered, the character creation process is more extensive than ever. Upon starting a new game, players are presented with a comprehensive character creation menu that guides them through the process of crafting their protagonist. The system can be broken down into several key categories:
The Significance of Character Creation in Saints Row 3 Remastered
So, why is character creation such a vital aspect of the Saints Row experience? For one, it allows players to become fully immersed in the game world. By crafting a character that reflects their personality and playstyle, players can establish a deeper connection with the game's narrative and characters. Additionally, character creation serves as a form of self-expression, enabling players to showcase their creativity and individuality.
In Saints Row 3 Remastered, character creation also plays a crucial role in the game's storytelling. The game's narrative is heavily focused on the player's character, known as the "Third," who rises through the ranks of the 3rd Street Saints gang. By customizing their character, players can influence the story and interact with other characters in meaningful ways.
The Impact of Remastering on Character Creation
The remastering of Saints Row 3 has brought the game's character creation system into the modern era. The game's updated graphics and improved performance allow for more detailed and realistic character models, making the character creation process even more immersive. The remastered game's support for 4K resolution and high-dynamic-range (HDR) rendering also ensures that character models look stunning, with vibrant colors and lifelike textures.
Furthermore, the remastered game's updated character creation system takes advantage of modern gaming hardware, allowing for more complex and detailed character models. This, in turn, enables players to craft characters that are even more realistic and nuanced, further enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the character creation system in Saints Row 3 Remastered is a comprehensive and engaging process that allows players to craft unique protagonists. With its extensive range of customization options, players can create characters that reflect their personality and playstyle, establishing a deeper connection with the game's narrative and characters. The remastering of the game has brought the character creation system into the modern era, with updated graphics and improved performance. As a result, Saints Row 3 Remastered offers an unparalleled level of character customization, making it a must-play experience for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
The Saints Row series has always been known for its irreverent humor and over-the-top action, but it's the character creation system that truly sets it apart. By allowing players to craft their own unique characters, the game offers a level of immersion and self-expression that's hard to find elsewhere. Whether you're a seasoned Saints Row veteran or just looking for a new gaming experience, Saints Row 3 Remastered's character creation system is sure to impress.
In the end, the character creation system in Saints Row 3 Remastered serves as a testament to the game's commitment to player creativity and self-expression. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it's clear that character creation will remain a vital aspect of the gaming experience. Saints Row 3 Remastered is a shining example of how character creation can elevate a game from mere entertainment to a truly immersive experience.