Since I'm currently hanging out in the middle of SR2 running down the Ronin, I feel compelled to make this thread.
Why is this game series not more celebrated? I know there are some hardcore Saints here on the forum, but I also know there are way more people who like GTA more, and GTA has way more average-person street cred. If you haven't played a Saints Row game (the 1st one barely counts, so not that), what has dissuaded you? Especially if you are the kind of person who likes GTA; if it just isn't your style of game at all, then that's another matter.
If you HAVE played it, what is the essence of the series to you, and what has it done best? What's the worst step backward it has taken? Is Gat Out of Hell worth buying? Is SR3 or SR4 better (2 is the best, sorry)?
Everything about these games is great, basically, and it satisfies all my sandbox violence needs without having to get into GTA and its unironic "this is cool because there's so much swearing" attitude.
Anyway, celebrate these amazing games and ask what the deal is if you haven't played them.