Saints Row

The narrative of Saints Row receives mixed praise, with several critics highlighting its engaging elements and modern themes. The So Videogames Podcast appreciates the reboot’s focus on relatable themes like friendship and camaraderie, while GamesRadar+ notes the game’s exploration of social issues such as student loans and urban struggles, balancing humor with earnest commentary. Cultured Vultures praises the likable cast and standout subplots, particularly a memorable LARPing mission, and New Game Network acknowledges the decent narrative with likable characters despite pacing issues. Atomix also commends the game’s fun mix of heist, comedy, and action, while TheXboxHub observes that the story starts slow but gains momentum as players dive into criminal activities. These reviews suggest the game successfully captures the series’ irreverent spirit and offers a fresh take on its origins. However, the majority of critics panned the story for its lack of depth, poor character development, and unengaging execution. Pure Xbox and Trusted Reviews criticize the narrative as dull and erratic, with protagonists driven by mundane motivations like paying bills, while Eurogamer Italy and Metro GameCentral lament the absence of coherent plotlines and meaningful character arcs. Slant Magazine calls the story “depressing and dated,” and IGN Adria notes it feels like a “diluted version” of previous entries, lacking humor and creativity. Critics like Games.cz (PS5) and Oyungezer highlight forced attempts at blending rebellion against corruption with humor, which fall flat, while Push Square acknowledges some great moments but calls the story “rushed.” The repetitive focus on building a criminal empire without emotional stakes or originality left many reviewers unimpressed, with VideoGamer and Digital Trends criticizing forgettable characters and generic missions. Overall, the consensus leans toward disappointment, with the story failing to live up to the series’ legacy despite its ambitious reboot. While some critics, like The So Videogames Podcast and Cultured Vultures, found charm in its modern themes and likable moments, the majority viewed it as a missed opportunity. The narrative’s reliance on clichés, lack of character depth, and uneven pacing overshadowed its potential, leaving players disconnected from the protagonists and their struggles. Though a few reviewers noted entertaining elements—such as Malditos Nerds’ praise for “lovable characters” or Atomix’s acknowledgment of a “fun narrative”—the overwhelming sentiment was that Saints Row prioritized style over substance, resulting in a story that feels derivative and underwhelming compared to its predecessors.

The gameplay of Saints Row receives mixed praise, with several critics highlighting its nostalgic charm and variety of activities. Game Informer commends the "fun and exciting" mix of missions and side activities, while Post Arcade celebrates over-the-top moments like carjackings and stylized combat. IGN Japan appreciates the high degree of customization and the blend of absurdity and seriousness, noting that the game retains its signature chaotic energy. Critics like Vgames and GamingTrend acknowledge the open-world freedom, with Vgames praising arcade-like driving mechanics and GamingTrend highlighting refined shooting and driving systems. The inclusion of character creation, co-op play, and creative mission structures also earns nods from reviewers such as Hey Poor Player and MeuPlayStation, who emphasize the game’s engaging, if occasionally repetitive, core mechanics. However, the negatives dominate the critique, with many critics pointing to repetition, outdated design, and mechanical shortcomings. Pure Xbox and Games.cz describe the gameplay as "uninspired," "repetitive," and "janky," citing bugs and clunky combat that detract from immersion. Stevivor and Metro GameCentral criticize the "outdated" mission structures and "shallow" shooting mechanics, while Trusted Reviews and VG247 note bland missions and a lifeless open world. The lack of innovation is a recurring issue, with critics like Games.cz and Oyungezer pointing to dull combat and underwhelming special abilities. Additionally, issues like simplistic driving mechanics (Metro GameCentral) and tedious side content (PC Gamer) further undermine the experience, creating a sense of monotony despite the game’s ambitious scope. Overall, the consensus leans toward a lukewarm reception, with critics divided between appreciating the series’ classic elements and criticizing its failure to evolve. While some praise the variety of activities and nostalgic appeal—such as Game Informer’s acknowledgment of "fun and exciting" missions and Post Arcade’s celebration of boundary-pushing content—the majority highlight significant flaws. Critics like Pure Xbox and Games.cz argue that the gameplay feels unpolished and derivative, while others, such as IGN Japan and Vgames, acknowledge its charm despite outdated systems. The game seems to strike a balance between satisfying core fans with familiar mechanics and frustrating newcomers with repetitive design choices, leaving its legacy as a mixed bag of innovation and nostalgia.

The reviews of Saints Row’s Graphics and Visual Design highlight several positive aspects, particularly in its world-building and creative elements. Critics like IGN Italia praised the vibrant landscapes and scenic beauty of Santo Ileso, noting its "beautiful landscapes" and "creative architectural designs," while Game Informer highlighted the city’s "colorful and visually appealing" nature with photo-worthy details. NME emphasized that the setting feels like a character itself, contributing to an engaging experience, and PlayStation Universe called Santo Ileso "the best city in the series," praising its lively design and integration of life and activities. Additionally, some reviewers, such as Impulsegamer and PCGamesN, acknowledged excellent lighting effects and natural animations, with GameGrin noting impressive visual elements like sandstorms and smoke clouds. These positives suggest that the game’s aesthetic ambition and environmental creativity were notable, even if they didn’t fully translate to technical polish. However, the negatives dominate the critical reception, with widespread criticism of the graphics’ outdated quality and technical shortcomings. Multiple reviewers, including IGN France, GamePro Germany, and Metro GameCentral, described the visuals as "below current standards," "outdated," and reminiscent of previous-generation consoles like the Xbox 360. Issues like poor texture quality, character models that lack detail, and "texture pop-ins" were frequently cited, with CD-Action calling the world "visually uninteresting" and Post Arcade noting "dull textures" and "simplistic object models." The open world was often criticized as sparse and lifeless, with Finger Guns and Jeuxvideo.com pointing to "empty" environments and "significant pop-in issues." Even the lighting, while praised by some (e.g., Impulsegamer), was deemed inconsistent or underdeveloped, with Checkpoint Gaming noting unpolished effects. These technical flaws and lack of modernization overshadowed many of the game’s visual strengths. Overall, the consensus among critics leans heavily toward disappointment, with the game’s graphics failing to meet expectations for a 2022 release. While there were commendable elements—such as IGN Italia’s praise for Santo Ileso’s design and Game Informer’s acknowledgment of its "rich and detailed environment"—these positives were frequently undermined by technical issues, dated visuals, and a lack of innovation. Reviewers like MGG, GamePro Germany, and Jeuxvideo.com emphasized that the game felt "a generation behind," with Xbox Achievements noting it offered "a nice-looking open-world experience" but lacked "eye-catching sights." Despite some praise for specific aspects, the majority of critics agreed that Saints Row’s visual design fell short of modern standards, leaving a mixed but largely negative impression. The game’s ambition was evident, but its execution in terms of graphics and technical performance failed to deliver a cohesive or immersive experience.

The sound design and music of Saints Row received a mix of praise, with several critics highlighting its strengths. Many reviewers commended the game’s diverse soundtrack, noting the variety of radio stations spanning genres like synthwave, metal, hip-hop, and classical music, which added to the gameplay experience. For instance, GameGrin praised the “enjoyable voice acting and a diverse soundtrack,” while Jeuxvideo.com (twice) and MGG emphasized the quality of the music, stating it “complements the overall experience” and maintains the franchise’s tradition of good soundtracks. Additionally, GamesRadar+ and Shacknews highlighted the “very good radio stations” that enhanced the atmosphere during city traversal, and Xbox Achievements noted the “decent tunes” in the radio stations. The voice acting also received positive feedback, with Player 2 praising the “top-class” performances and humor, while IGN Italia appreciated the contrast of classical music against chaotic gameplay. However, several critics pointed out significant issues with the sound design and audio quality. Common complaints included inconsistent mixing, quiet NPC dialogue, and underwhelming ambient sounds. Press Start Australia and Dexerto criticized the “low and lifeless” background noise, while Game Rant and Gamer.no noted problems with unclear NPC voices and poor audio levels. AusGamers and NME highlighted the lack of memorable tracks and repetitive music, which contributed to a “feeling of silence” during driving. Other issues included technical glitches, such as music cutting out during missions (Gameblog.fr) or characters dancing without accompanying sound (PlayStation LifeStyle). ZTGD compared the shooting mechanics to a scene in Harlem Nights, suggesting lifeless sound effects, while God is a Geek called the soundtrack “lacklustre” and “C-tier.” These critiques underscored a disconnect between the game’s ambitious audio vision and its execution. Despite mixed reactions, there was a general consensus that Saints Row’s sound design had both standout elements and notable flaws. While some critics, like COGconnected and XboxEra, praised the “solid” and “diverse” soundtrack, others, such as IGN France and Eurogamer Italy, pointed to technical inconsistencies and a lack of immersion. The game’s radio stations were frequently cited as a highlight, with Jeuxvideo.com and VG247 noting their ability to enhance the atmosphere, but these positives often coexisted with frustrations over audio bugs or repetitive tracks. Ultimately, while the soundtrack offered variety and charm, its execution fell short for many, leaving the sound design as a mixed bag that reflected both the game’s potential and its technical shortcomings.

The voice acting in Saints Row receives a generally favorable reception from several reviewers, with praise centered on its variety, charm, and ability to enhance character dynamics. Critics like Atomix highlight the credibility of the performances, noting that characters use relatable language that aligns with the game’s narrative. Dexerto appreciates the British Boss’s unique phrases, which add personality and humor, while Gamepressure commends the protagonist’s voice options for injecting individuality into the gameplay experience. VG247 and XboxEra emphasize the energy of the cast, with the latter noting that the performances stand out and contribute positively to the game’s world. Additionally, Malditos Nerds laud the voice acting as well-written and performed, even expressing a desire for a TV series adaptation. These reviews underscore the effort put into creating distinct voices and comedic moments that align with the game’s over-the-top tone. However, several critics point to significant flaws in the voice acting, particularly regarding dialogue quality and character depth. Finger Guns criticizes the protagonist as a generic knock-off of Ryan Reynolds, while Eurogamer Italy argues that the dialogues undermine the experience despite competent execution. GamePro Germany and T3 highlight cringe-worthy lines and dry delivery, respectively, which detract from immersion. IGN and Pure Xbox both describe the dialogue as cringey, with the latter noting unmemorable characters. ZTGD acknowledges the British boss’s voice as a bright spot but criticizes overall character writing, while GameGrin and VG247 note that some performances lack the polish or presence of previous entries in the series. These critiques suggest that while the voice acting is often competent, it struggles to elevate the game beyond its narrative shortcomings. The overall consensus among critics is mixed, reflecting a divide between appreciation for the cast’s energy and frustration with inconsistent dialogue and character development. While GameGrin, VG247, and XboxEra celebrate the voice acting as a standout element, others like Finger Guns, IGN, and T3 find it lacking in originality and emotional depth. Technical issues also surface, such as WellPlayed’s complaints about audio mixing and TheXboxHub’s mention of poor lip-syncing. Despite these flaws, many reviewers acknowledge that the voice acting contributes to the game’s humor and world-building, even if it cannot fully compensate for weaker narrative elements. The polarized reactions highlight a game where the performances are often entertaining but occasionally hindered by broader creative choices.

The technical performance of Saints Row across platforms shows mixed results, with some praise for newer consoles and PC optimization. On Xbox Series X, critics like IGN France noted a day-one patch was promised, while Generación Xbox mentioned smooth gameplay with minimal bugs, though a patch was expected. For PS5, IGN Italia highlighted stable frame rates despite glitches, and Atomix praised its stability with minimal drops even during intense moments. On PC, The Games Machine reported consistent 60fps performance, and SECTOR.sk acknowledged controls were well-implemented across platforms. These positives suggest that while the game had technical issues, newer hardware and specific optimizations helped mitigate some problems. However, the negatives are widespread and severe across all platforms. On Xbox Series X, EGM and XboxEra criticized bugs like T-posing enemies, endless loading screens, and UI issues, with IGN France calling the current state "concerning." For PS5, critics like GameGrin and GamesRadar+ described mission failures, character clipping, and unresponsive controls, while Softpedia noted unresponsive prompts and buggy aim assist. On PC, New Game Network and COGconnected highlighted crashes, glitches, and poor NPC behavior, with Oyungezer and MGG emphasizing severe optimization issues. Even after patches, many reviewers, like Vandal and Gfinity, pointed to lingering bugs that required fixes, indicating a lack of polish at launch. The overall consensus among critics is that Saints Row suffered from significant technical shortcomings across all platforms, with the game feeling rushed and under-polished. While newer consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X saw slightly better performance (e.g., Atomix’s stable frame rates on PS5), issues like mission-breaking glitches, crashes, and visual bugs were persistent. PC players faced optimization challenges, as noted by Oyungezer and SECTOR.sk, while older hardware like the Xbox One struggled with performance, per Digital Trends. Despite some improvements post-launch (e.g., GameGrin’s mention of fixes), most reviewers agreed that the technical issues detracted from the experience, with God is a Geek calling it "poorly tested" and Gfinity noting a "major bug in the final cutscene." The game’s technical flaws overshadowed its potential, leaving many critics disappointed.

The reviewers generally acknowledge that Saints Row offers a substantial amount of content that could support replayability, particularly through its open-world design and customization options. Critics like Game Informer highlight the game’s “variety of missions and side activities,” while GamesRadar+ notes the “dozens of hours” of engagement from collectibles, vehicle customization, and diverse quests. The ability to build a criminal empire, as mentioned by PlayStation Universe, and the inclusion of co-op play (cited by The Enemy and Power Unlimited) add layers of appeal for players seeking extended interaction. Additionally, GameGrin and Hobby Consolas express optimism about 100% completion and exploration, suggesting that the game’s scale and creative freedom could entice repeat playthroughs. The presence of unlockable content, such as new ventures tied to story progression (Game Informer) and extensive character customization (Everyeye.it, MeuPlayStation), further reinforces this positive outlook. However, the majority of critics point to significant drawbacks that limit replay value. Repetition in missions and side activities is a recurring issue, with Pure Xbox and Eurogamer Italy criticizing the “repetitive nature of missions” and lack of engaging content. Gfinity and The Enemy note that side activities feel outdated or tedious, while GameSpot highlights how optional Criminal Ventures become “necessary but tedious.” Many reviewers, including Meristation, Games.cz, and GamingTrend, argue that the open-world tasks grow monotonous over time, with generic “number checking” (VGC) and filler content detracting from long-term appeal. The short main story (Power Unlimited) and technical issues (Game Rant) further diminish the desire to revisit the game, as does the lack of innovation in gameplay mechanics (Cultured Vultures). Even when side missions are present, their repetitive structure often leads to burnout (PlayStation Country, GamingTrend). The overall consensus among critics is mixed but leans toward a cautious assessment of Saints Row’s replay value. While some praise its content depth and customization as potential hooks for multiple playthroughs (Game Informer, GamesRadar+, Hobby Consolas), the overwhelming majority highlight systemic issues that undermine long-term engagement. The game’s open-world design, though expansive, is frequently criticized for feeling generic and repetitive, with Eurogamer Italy and Meristation noting a lack of compelling reasons to return. Despite co-op play and customization options offering some redemption, these elements are often overshadowed by the game’s reliance on outdated mechanics and tedious tasks (Gfinity, GameSpot). Ultimately, while Saints Row provides enough variety to satisfy completionists or fans of its chaotic style, its repetitive structure and lack of innovation make it a title that many critics would not recommend for extended play.