Saints Row: The Third

Anything goes in the outrageously brilliant third instalment of Saints Row.

From carrying out heists to jumping out of planes, it embraces the concept of open world gaming fully, allowing you the freedom to advance through the story, take on wild challenges, or just have fun.

As leader of the Saints in the city of Steelport, your task is to lead your followers as they try to take over the town, defeating rival local gangs along the way.

You can customise your characters to an incredible degree – and often with hilarious results, using the bewildering choice of costumes, facial features, hair styles and even accents on offer.

Then it’s up to you if you get sidetracked taking on the challenges, many of which are great fun, or take on the missions, which range from skydiving shoot-outs to guiding missiles from drones.

As ever, playing along with a friend enhances the experience further, giving you the freedom to team up or explore independently.

However you play, Saints Row: The Third is a blast. Visually, it’s not the most impressive game out there – but when it’s this much fun, you won’t care.

Rating: ****