Since the launch of Saints Row, its been receiving much backlash as the game is filled with bugs and unresponsive AI. Aside from that, fans feel like the game was underwhelming as expectations for the game’s reboot weren’t met. After a week and spending over 30 hours in the Saints Row reboot and one review later, I’m here to tell veteran and potential new fans if the new Saints Row is worth it.
Story
Saints Row is about the start-up of the saints. The story heavily focuses on the bond that 4 friends all share for one another while they build the brand name of The Saints. The writing certainly has this modern-day energy about it. While some moments can be funny and yes, at times even considered cringe, there are moments that are serious and even upsetting. That’s what makes Saints Row’s story stand out to me. The Saints Row series has had its moments where one installment is all about gang war and turf takeovers. The next thing you know you can be fighting aliens with superpowers or even killing zombies with Burt Reynolds. The Saints Row Reboot finds a rather decent balance between the two. There are a few moments where the writing does seem rather dull at times but It’s not too over the top with its silly side. The balance makes progressing the game fun.
Gameplay
Santo Ileso is a vast open world and Saints Row wants players to experience and explore it. Throughout the game, there will be collectibles, criminal ventures, and side missions to complete scattered around the map. Just while driving through Santo Ileso players will experience a vibrant environment from the location’s mural arts and graffiti to its sudden sandstorms. It’s a beautiful sight, especially on a gaming system that does it justice. Saints Row is a new take on the franchise, one that focuses heavily on the RPG aspect of the game. Every gun and vehicle you use has a challenge. Once the challenge is completed the gun or car can be leveled up to unlock a special skill. In terms of your character, depending on your progress a new character perk can be unlocked with the completed challenges. Each time the player levels up a new character skill becomes active. They can be passive like a health upgrade or dropping a grenade down an enemy’s pants and throwing them. These skills add variety to the playstyles players can take on in their playthrough.
Customization
Gamers will absolutely not be disappointed with the number of customization options available in Saints Row. A small glimpse was shown within the Boss Factory Demo of the title but within the full game, creators can let their creativity run wild. With character customization, almost every detail is customizable. from your face and body structure to the color and texture of your skin. If you don’t feel like putting in the time to make a character, players can easily access the community hub and download custom-created bosses. Saves time on making Shrek or Rick from Rick and Morty. Yes, those are characters players have made and so much more.
Weapons and cars also get customization rework as you can do so much more for their appearances. Although they don’t have a community hub with designs they can come with available presets. Saints Row really outdid themselves this time around. I can see players spending time behind the customization menus.
The Bugs
Every game has its occasional glitch or bug here or there. Saints Row however has made glitches and bugs a regular occurrence. There will be moments NPCs and enemies will be T-posing. Cutscenes are not properly loading all the way. Outfits and saved changes not actually saving. When in Co-op constant disconnections and hard crashes occur. Worst of all missions would actually break.
AI was also unresponsive at times, mostly the civilians. There would be explosions and gunfire blazing the streets and the AI at times wouldn’t even notice it. Melee attacks would seem off, and hit detection won’t register, it’s just a buggy mess.
Conclusion
Saints Row is an underdog story about this new version of the Saints. The beautiful Santo Ileso houses secrets, explosions, and absolute mayhem around almost every corner. The customization options to make your boss truly your own are near godlike for the series. What truly is sinful however is the number of glitches and bugs these Saints came with. Unplayable missions and constant crashes are what hurt the game in the end.
The Saints Row reboot is precisely what it is, a reboot. If fans expect a carbon copy of the original Saints Row, Saints Row 2, and The Third they will be disappointed as that will not be the experience they will receive. At the moment I wouldn’t recommend for gamers too pick up the title at full price. The best course of action would be too wait for some sort of deal or sale.
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