Saints Row IV begins with a dramatic turn of events, where the protagonist, now President of the USA, finds themselves kidnapped by aliens and trapped in their personal nightmares. Fortunately, Kinzie, the group's hacker, rescues them and they flee into a spaceship to rescue the rest of the gang. The majority of the game takes place in an open-world simulation of Steelport, where players can customize every aspect of their protagonist's look and choose from seven voices. The game builds upon the over-the-top action and humour of its predecessor, introducing super powers that aid in movement and combat against alien enemies.
Saints Row IV features various side activities, including mini-games, which are now only required for team members' side quests. These include racing, platform-jumping, and other challenges that utilize the protagonist's newfound abilities. The game also parodies genres like Mass Effect, with a focus on humour and parody. Players can explore the alien ship, talk to team members, and participate in mini-games to progress through the story. Rewards for completing actions include experience points and cache, which can be used to unlock upgrades and purchases.
The game's progression is driven by unlocking new super powers, which can be upgraded with special currencies. The mobile phone serves as a key to accessing various features, such as requesting unlocked cars, looking at the map, or playing licensed music.
Multiplayer modes allow for co-op play during the campaign and competitive activities, providing additional replay value.