The Saints Row series is the product of the realisation that, for all Grand Theft Auto's commendable aspirations to Hollywood levels of storytelling and characterisation, the vast majority of players are merely in it for the mayhem. There's a story here, but it takes a back seat to wanton, over-the-top destruction.

Player avatars are fully customisable. Fancy playing as the Incredible Hulk with a cockney accent? A stark-naked Latina with the controversial bits blurred out and the voice of a zombie? Hitler in a gimp suit? It's up to you.

On top of that are hundreds of vehicles, weapons, upgrades and activities including base-jumping and insurance fraud, in which you throw yourself in front of traffic and manipulate ragdoll physics to maximise your payout. It's gleefully puerile and offensive at every turn and, at times, a technical mess, but this is the year's most generous toybox.