The player controls the leader of the 3rd Street Saints, who is elected President of the United States after stopping a terrorist attack. Years later, an alien empire called the Zin invades Earth and captures the president along with members of the gang, trapping them inside a computer simulation of Steelport. Aided by allies who have escaped and hacked the simulation to grant superhuman abilities, the player works to free their captured friends, break out of the simulation, and push back against the Zin.