Saints Row

 PlayStation 5
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 63 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 63
  3. Negative: 8 out of 63
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  1. PLAY
    Oct 15, 2022
    40
    he character creator still shines, but frustrating mission design and a disappointing plot make this reboot difficult to recommend. Far more sinner than saint. [Issue#19, p.92]
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  2. Edge Magazine
    Sep 8, 2022
    40
    We could have coped with technical issues, curious UI choices and unsophisticated mission design had Saints Row given us even half as many memorable moments as previous entries "The Third" and "IV". We could even forgive a Portal joke that would have felt old hat a decade ago. But this whole enterprise feels misbegotten, even before the story goes wildly off the rails, belatedly introducing a new threat, before wrapping up with an ending that almost feels algorithmically generated. [Issue#376, p.100]
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  3. XGN
    Aug 22, 2022
    40
    The reboot of Saints Row is failing both as a reboot as well as a good game due to the game running poorly, a sandbox riddled with bugs and a boring story with just a few fun characters. Blowing stuff up is good and all, but Santo Ileso simply isn't a fun place to create chaos in. Driving the expensive cars is simply the best part, but steering clear of Saints Row at launch is by far the best way to go.
  5. VideoGamer
    Aug 22, 2022
    40
    The problem with the new Saints Row is not just that the characters are boring, or that the combat is by-the-numbers and benumbed by unempowering perks, but that the brief snatches of fun—the wingsuit deployed from a high rise, the hand-brake turn through a curtain of tyre smoke—are nothing new, and are done better in other games.
  6. GamesHub
    Aug 22, 2022
    40
    If you find yourself in the right frame of mind, the unhinged nature of Saints Row can be cathartic, particularly if you find yourself in a good series of missions where the writing and humour aren’t too manic, and the action isn't too humdrum. In the end, Saints Row succeeds in recalling and refreshing the affable personality of the dormant series, but this reboot is simply a return, not an evolution.
  7. Metro GameCentral
    Aug 22, 2022
    40
    A tragically outdated open world adventure that almost has more in common with Goat Simulator than Grand Theft Auto, despite some moderately entertaining mechanics.
  8. T3
    Aug 22, 2022
    40
    Torn between two identities, Saints Row is a misjudged attempt at reinventing the series, instead ushering in a lack of mission variety and a tired narrative that fails to light up what could have been a genuine competitor in the absence of a new Grand Theft Auto. Those even looking for mindless fun will struggle to find anything here, even if Criminal Ventures and co-op play offer glimpses at what could have been. Back to the drawing board.
  9. VGC
    Aug 22, 2022
    40
    It’s a below average open world game that’s stuffed to bursting with bugs, and the best thing we can say about it is that making our Tobias Fünke-inspired character crouch over and do the wanker gesture while he walked down the street made us laugh. Probably not quite worth the price of admission.
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  1. British GQ
    Aug 24, 2022
    There’s always self-doubt involved when you savage a game like this, but Volition had a second chance – to reboot a truly barmy franchise and do whatever they want with it – but any potential here has been squandered. A combat system with no satisfaction. A world with no immersion. Missions with no imagination. It’s a shame that this is what they came up with.
  2. Eurogamer
    Aug 22, 2022
    I can't help but admit I'm having a smashing time - quite literally - with Saints Row. Yes, the story is trite at times and yes, much of where that story takes you can feel a touch ridiculous, but it's to the team's credit that this deftly side-steps the issues of its predecessors and rarely feels gratuitous or malicious. The Saints Row reboot is self-aware and self-deprecating and if you're able to move past its prior reputation, there's a fast and furious shooter here that's worthy of your time.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Aug 22, 2022
    Saints Row is a confusing game, on multiple levels. I can’t say I didn’t have fun with it—there’s a compulsive pleasure in open-world gaming that’s hard to tamp down, no matter how intent the game seems to be on keeping its players from enjoying themselves too much. (If you need a big map of stuff to checklist your way down, the game will absolutely scratch that itch.) Its tonal issues are, weirdly, a function of making its characters too likable, instead of not enough. And it desperately wants you to think you’re having fun, without ever providing concrete steps towards giving players more to do than function in a very rote loop. In hindsight, it reminds me a bit of the whiteboard that your business-buzzword-obsessed buddy Eli busts out early on, when the Saints are first figuring out how to turn themselves into a functional gang: Some big, flashy concepts; very few ideas on how to execute.

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2022

User Reviews

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User Score
2.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 1025 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 228 out of 1025
  2. Mixed: 74 out of 1025
  3. Negative: 723 out of 1025
  1. Luka1998010
    Aug 24, 2022
    0
    From not listening to their fans, to blatantly being insulting and arrogant towards them, the devs over at Volition put the final nail to theFrom not listening to their fans, to blatantly being insulting and arrogant towards them, the devs over at Volition put the final nail to the coffin of this franchise...
    They deserve everything that`s coming.
    Awfully written characters, poor gameplay, censorship among a bunch of other issues made this game the laughing stock of games this month.
    Exactly a year ago, once it was announced, they were warned but nooo.
    RIP Johnny Gat, Shaundi, Pierce and the OG Boss    … Full Review »
  2. Xyrogyra
    Aug 24, 2022
    1
    Litany of bugs and terrible humor (if you can call it that) aside, the game is terribly written with very poor pacing, lackluster narrative,Litany of bugs and terrible humor (if you can call it that) aside, the game is terribly written with very poor pacing, lackluster narrative, and very flat characters - almost as flat as the world design. Speaking of which, the open world seems empty with barely any random events happening (think Witcher 3, RDR2, Ghost of Tsushima, etc... Goodbye 40 second rule...?). This is 2022 with an open-world and game design from 2008. Maybe that's what the devs meant by a "reboot".

    Giving it a 1 because the combat and atmosphere/visual design is pretty cool, if you can shut your brain down enough to enjoy them. Might have rated it higher if the developers weren't acting like children on Twitter, which put a sour taste in my mouth from the beginning, unfortunately. Not sure how insulting your fan base makes good business sense.

    Shame that developers refuse to learn from others' (much less their own) mistakes - which shouldn't be surprising considering CD Projekt is one of the developers listed for this project.    … Full Review »
  3. MrTibster
    Aug 24, 2022
    0
    An absolute insult of a game. Horrible story and characters, outdated controls and gameplay that seems older than even the original game,An absolute insult of a game. Horrible story and characters, outdated controls and gameplay that seems older than even the original game, crashes way too often, glitches that literally break the game constantly. The only good thing out of this is the most likely Crowbcat video we'll get showing off how much of a mess this entire project is. Literally the worst thing i've played in the last 5 years, no joke.… Full Review »
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