TL;DR
Saints Row is a visually impressive open-world sandbox game that lets you create your unique criminal empire, from stealing cars to engaging in over-the-top firefights. This reboot of the franchise offers extensive character customization and a sprawling city to explore, with enjoyable driving mechanics and smooth performance. However, inconsistent control settings, particularly with aiming, and occasional stiff animations can be a bit jarring. Despite these minor hiccups, the game provides a vast and engaging criminal playground with plenty of activities. Ready to build your empire in Santo Ileso? Dive into the full review to find out if it's your next obsession.
Saints Row centers around crafting a unique criminal persona and undertaking a series of missions to ascend the ranks and ultimately become a formidable mafia leader. The journey to the top is extensive and often chaotic, and the opening scenes quickly establish that things are likely to deviate from the expected path. Engage in activities such as stealing vehicles, robbing banks, delivering scathing restaurant reviews, and participating in rooftop firefights against pursuing cars; the game offers a blend of expected and unexpected possibilities. Acquire new attire, enhance your skills, and upgrade your arsenal. As you accumulate experience, your ability to thrive in this dangerous environment will increase.
The original Grand Theft Auto began as a car simulation project where developers discovered the emergent gameplay of running over pedestrians and evading law enforcement. While unintended, this element evolved to become a core aspect of the game. The release of the first GTA in 1997 sparked controversy, yet its success was undeniable. GTA is thus the progenitor of all subsequent “GTA clones,” including Saints Row.
The first Saints Row made its debut in 2006, offering a more lighthearted and over-the-top alternative to the comparatively serious GTA franchise. While I haven’t personally played the previous entries in the Saints Row series, I have researched the series’ evolution and tone. The fourth installment premiered in 2013, and now, nearly a decade later, we have the fifth entry. In a move similar to the film industry’s approach to franchises, the developers have opted to reboot the series, omitting the numeral “5” from the title. Consequently, this iteration is simply and somewhat confusingly titled: Saints Row (perhaps specifying 2022 is necessary to differentiate it from the original 16-year-old game).
Saints Row initiates with a compelling introductory sequence. Character customization occurs during a break in the action, offering a comprehensive array of options, ranging from eye size to undergarment selection. The graphical fidelity is impressive, with particularly noteworthy lighting effects. The visuals are especially striking on a display capable of accurately reproducing the intended graphics. I experienced Saints Row on an Xbox Series S and encountered no performance issues. The experience was devoid of lag or texture drops, providing a smooth visual experience.
Saints Row is a sandbox game, affording players complete freedom to traverse a vast open-world map. Players have access to a garage for storing vehicles, and the option to acquire new ones through theft is always available. The driving mechanics are well-executed, and high-speed police chases through the city are exceptionally engaging.
However, the driving experience is marred by problematic controls. I am accustomed to inverting the vertical axis, a preference developed over two decades of console gaming. While this setting can be adjusted for on-foot movement, aiming during shooting reverts to a non-inverted configuration. This inconsistency proves to be frustrating. Furthermore, the aiming reticle moves with considerable slowness. While the intention may be to add challenge, the control scheme unnecessarily complicates an already demanding aspect of gameplay.
As mentioned, the graphics are visually appealing, but the animations occasionally appear somewhat rigid. Characters sometimes stand with their arms at their sides, resembling static cardboard cutouts, which is a minor disappointment in a recent release.
In conclusion, I recommend Saints Row as a visually impressive and expansive game offering a wealth of activities and exploration. Despite initial frustrations, I adapted to the game’s shortcomings. Plan your excursion to Santo Ileso and commence your criminal enterprise today!
Plaion provided review code for this evaluation. Provision of materials does not influence our editorial assessment.
