Saints Row 2 (2009): runs on Windows 11, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck?

Gamicality score 73 / 100

Playability today ★★★★★ 4.5

Runs today4 / 5
Design today4.5 / 5
See the checks

Steam user reviews Mostly Positive

20,466 reviews75% positive
Steam store page

Released: 2009
Developer: Volition
Genre: Action
Runs on: Windows, Linux, Steam Deck
Last checked: October 31, 2026

Does Saints Row 2 run on Windows 11, Apple Silicon Macs, Linux and Steam Deck?

Windows 11	Yes, with a fix. See the steps below. SourceNo player reports yet
Mac (Apple Silicon)	No Mac version is sold.No player reports yet
Linux	Yes, there is a native Linux version. SourceNo player reports yet
Steam Deck	Playable, as rated by Valve: it works, but may need some manual configuration. SourceNo player reports yet

Played it lately? Tell other players whether it works for you. One click, no account. How we check where it runs

How to get Saints Row 2 running today

Install the Juiced Patch by extracting the archive into the game folder; it fixes the speed-up bug, broken animations, gamma, cutscene timing, audio quality and performance, and adds borderless window and FOV options.
Add DXVK as the Juiced Patch authors recommend.
If the game crashes on startup, delete settings.dat in the save folder so the game rebuilds it with default settings.
See PCGamingWiki for the cutscene patch and other fixes.

Synopsis

An open-world crime game in which the leader of the Third Street Saints wakes from a coma and sets out to retake the city of Stilwater from three rival gangs and a corporation. Between story missions, players customize their character in depth, drive and shoot across the city and take on outlandish side activities.

What people say

Critics at release enjoyed its freedom, humor and sheer amount of things to do, while the PC port drew heavy criticism for poor performance and stability. Players today still praise the lively city, deep customization, side content and its mix of comedy and darker crime story. The most common complaints remain crashes, bad audio and textures on PC, and missing console add-ons, with fan patches widely seen as required.

Playability today

Playability runs from 1 to 5. It is the average of two parts. Each part starts at 1 and climbs to 5 as more of its checks pass. Read the method.

Runs today: 4 / 5

✓Sold today from an official store
✗Runs on Windows 11 without fan patches
–Single-player works without an internet connection
–All of its content still works (servers, DLC, unlocks)
–Supports modern resolutions and widescreen
–Full controller support or remappable controls
✓Steam Deck Verified or Playable
✓No intrusive DRM or required third-party launcher account
✓No pay-to-win or pushy microtransactions
–No known game-breaking bugs in the current version

Filled in from the Steam store and Valve’s Steam Deck rating. Checks marked – are unknown and do not count until someone checks them.

Design today: 4.5 / 5

✗Controls feel natural on a modern controller or mouse and keyboardThe unpatched PC port has a timing bug that speeds the game up and broken animations, so players widely say fan patches are needed for it to play properly. Source: pcgamingwiki.com, vaporlens.app.
✓Menus, text and interface are clear on today's screensNo specific complaints about menus or text turned up, though ultrawide support is limited and evidence on this point is thin. Source: pcgamingwiki.com, vaporlens.app.
✓Saving is fair: free saves or frequent checkpoints, little lost progressPlayers can save from the in-game phone between missions and no common complaints about lost progress turned up, though evidence on this point is thin. Source: vaporlens.app, steamcommunity.com.
✓It teaches itself: no guide needed to make progressMissions and activities are marked on the map and no reports of needing a guide turned up, though evidence on this point is thin. Source: vaporlens.app.
✓Pacing holds up: little grind, filler or forced backtrackingPlayers describe varied missions and meaningful side activities, though story missions are gated behind earning respect in those activities; evidence on whether this feels like a grind is thin. Source: vaporlens.app, steamcommunity.com.
✓Camera and movement never fight the playerNo specific camera complaints turned up, though the default field of view is fixed without a fan patch; evidence on this point is thin. Source: pcgamingwiki.com, vaporlens.app.

Judged against games made today, from complaints that recur in recent Steam reviews and discussions, forums, PCGamingWiki and community wikis. Each reason links to where it comes from.