The minute GTA 4 came out every other open world city game paled in comparison. The gap only widened even more with 5. Are we re-writing history here? I'm a fan of Saints Row and even I know this.
Like I said, there was a time and you probably forgot because it had been so long, all the vs and comparisons articles, and the talk from staff from THQ and such.
When Saint Row 3 sold 6 million under 2 years from release, that was looked at as a game changer, that was the best performance any game of this type had ever performed against GTA. A series that with GTAIV, was seen as in decline with a mixed reception compared to the acclaimed San Andreas. Saints Row was considered the only real competitor to GTA and there was a lot of articles and discussion comparing the two and the sales of the franchise kept getting better and better until Saints Row the thirds surprise momentum,
That momentum didn't continue but no one saw that coming at the time.