The new Saints Row reboot is set to release this week, and early reviews of the game seem to indicate that it may not live up to the hype surrounding it. The prior standalone release of the Saints Row Boss Factory character creator preview had excited players with its massive customization options, but review consensus points towards the game itself not meeting the same level of depth. Although it always comes down to individual player opinion in the end, some long-time Saints Row fans may not find what they were hoping for in the series reboot.
The Saints Row reboot was first announced in 2021, specifically distancing itself from the previous entries and making it clear that it would not be a sequel, but an entirely new title set in the same universe. The game is set in the Southwestern US-inspired Santo Ileso, a large open world full of side quests and opportunities for players. Saints Row lets players build their criminal empire from the ground up as they compete with three rival gangs for control of territory. In interviews, Saints Row reboot developers emphasized that this new take on the series aims to be more relatable while still maintaining the beloved trademark silliness and over-the-top nature of the franchise.
The critical reception of Saints Row has been largely middling, with some reviewers coming off as explicitly disappointed while others simply stating how the reboot could have done more with the opportunities and story it gives players. Some point out visual glitches as well, although they do not seem to be a phenomenon experienced by all reviewers. While many reviews emphasize that at its core the game is fun, the elements surrounding moments of satisfying gameplay could be largely improved. Some select reviews of the new Saints Row can be found below:
Scott Baird – 2.5/5 – Screen Rant
There is an enjoyable Saints Row experience buried under the bugs and polish issues, so long as the player sticks to the main content and doesn’t waste too much time in the barren parts of Santo Ileso. The series needed to go back to its roots after Saints Row IV introduced aliens and the Matrix into the mix, and the concept behind Saints Row is a solid one.
– Screen Rant
Tristan Ogilvie – 6/10 – IGN
There are a few spectacular story moments and the city of Santo Ileso serves as a sprawling new playground full of surprisingly antiquated and non-interactive amusements, but the distinct lack of new gameplay ideas – and the frequency with which some of its least interesting ones are reused – means this Saints Row feels more like a repetitive retread than a proper reboot. It’s definitely a new gang of Saints, but they’re guilty of the same old sins.
– IGN
Stacey Henley – 3/5 – The Gamer
Shooting is fine, driving is fine, jokes are fine, missions are fine, map is fine, everything is fine. The character creator is the only great thing here, and it always was. I just wanted a bit more, and the more I played, the more I had to save money to unlock fairly flat side quests, the more annoyed I became with everything wrong with the game. You can probably play it and have fun if you never compare it to the rest of the series or think too much about anything else.
– The Gamer
Dalton Cooper – 2.5/5 – Game Rant
Even if one doesn’t experience these technical issues, though, Saints Row is still a disappointment. The mission variety, co-op, and criminal ventures are great, but the game feels like it’s at least a console generation behind in every other category. It’s not the worst Saints Row game, but it’s also far from the best games in the series, and will likely leave most fans of the franchise unimpressed.
– Game Rant
Alyssa Mercante – 3/5 – GamesRadar
I love the new cast of characters and what they represent to marginalized community members who will play this game, and the story is compelling enough that I persevered in the face of some irritating bugs. There’s a solid game here, and plenty of fun to be had with the new Saints Row, but I find myself wishing the team had taken the concept and ran with it to the bank – before robbing said bank, of course.
– GamesRadar
Saints Row Is Proving Divisive In Critics’ Reviews
There are some parts of the Saints Row reboot that reviewers don’t seem to see eye to eye on. Some are unimpressed with Saints Row‘s open world of Santo Ileso, finding it barren or bland, while others thoroughly enjoyed its aesthetic and what the open world aspect brought to the game. The same is true for the game’s characters – while some found them to be annoying and couldn’t help but compare them to the characters from previous Saints Row titles, others found them to be relatable and entertaining.
The core defining difference in opinion seems to stem from if a player is comparing the new Saints Row to previous titles in the series, or viewing it as a standalone game. Some veteran players are bound to miss beloved characters from the franchise like Johnny Gat, or some of the outlandish weapons from previous games. Of course, until players get their own hands-on experience with Saints Row, the public opinion on the game has yet to be seen. It seems like feelings on the reboot may vary vastly from player to player, depending on the depth they’re looking for and how much they are looking for the old series in the reboot. Players can form their own thoughts on Saints Row when it releases August 23.
Sources: IGN, Game Rant, GamesRadar, The Gamer, Screen Rant
