There were some concerns surrounding the reboot of Saints Row. Will it do away with the crude humour that made it what fans loved? Did the ridiculous nature of the last few entries — even if not for everyone — make it what it was? Could a course correction too severe turn away long-time fans? Well, the reviews are in, and it’s a mixed bag.
Reading the reviews, it sounds like the co-op mode, although a pain to get into, is where the game is most enjoyable. And as much as the trailers and preview material may have made Saints Row sound like a much different experience tAusGamo the other games, it sounds like much of the same for better and worse. Some reviews have loved that about it, while others not so much. More than a few reviewers note many bugs in the game ruining what fun they had with the game and say it shouldn’t have been released yet. Ouch!
Here are some of the reviews from around Australia.
AusGamers – Kosta Andreadis (5.4/10)
“Ultimately the new Saints Row is a disappointment, especially if you’re a fan of the series. The co-op mode, although highly problematic when trying to establish a game, was commendably solid once up and running, and fun for a while. The new location and characters don’t really land and the sloppy nature of just about every aspect gives the impression of yet another game released long before it was finished.”
Checkpoint Gaming – Luke Mitchell (7/10)
“Being able to play the entire experience with a mate by your side makes for a lot of laughs, and if you can forgive the cringe dialogue, there are some fun moments between all the meandering that still makes it worthwhile. I can’t say that the Saints are “back and better than ever”, but gearing up for a modest romp with a lot of explosions and strong personalisation will certainly set them up for a roaring sequel if given the chance.”
GameOnAus – Royce Wilson (No Score)
“If you head into this expecting Saints Row III: Breaking Bad Edition, you’re not going to have a great time, but if you appreciate it for what it is – a reboot of a solid franchise, albeit one with some flaws that really need ironing out before you put down your cash – then there’s an interesting and vibrant world to explore and cause chaos in Saints Row.”
Kotaku AU – David Smith (No Score)
“The Saints Row series deserves better than the shabby treatment it has received here. That Saints Row is being released in this state is truly surprising to me. I wish I could be nicer to it, but at every turn it left me shaking my head in disbelief. A strong contender for the biggest let-down of the year.”
Maxi-Geek – Luke Henderson (8/10)
“Saints Row is a really enjoyable game, there are a number of rough edges, but they really just give it texture. The character and world customisation are fantastic, given how much freedom they provided, but they never feel silly or out of place, though if you are bright silver that may change.”
Player2 – Matt Hewson (A-)
“This Saints Row is truly some of the most fun I have had with a video game in a long time, spending time in this world is just an act of joy and despite its few minor issues, I just want be in this world with my three friends, causing chaos and having a good time. I have always loved the Saints Row games, but this is easily the franchise’s crowning achievement. Well done Volition, well done.”
PowerUp-Gaming – Leo Stevenson (8.8/10)
“I’d say that’s actually a fair comment overall for Saints Row. The shooting and driving mechanics are good but nothing we’ve never seen before. And the same can be said of the mission design and overall presentation of Saints Row. But, it’s not a game that intends to reinvent the wheel nor does it need to.”
Press Start – Toby Berger (7/10)
“It’s a good time though, but setting expectations is key. If you like the Saints Row games, you’ll like the reboot. Volition’s done a great job bringing this series back from the depths, and I’m keen to see where they go next. It has quite a few stumbling blocks along the way, but the sheer insanity and fun you get from it is exactly what I want from a Saints Row game.”
Stevivor – Ben Salter (4/10)
“Saints Row finds a better tone than its predecessor, but otherwise doesn’t deliver as a reboot, with gameplay and mission structures inferior to past instalments. With the right expectations, there’s still fun to be had, but the endless bugs, glitches and just awful AI make it hard to recommend at launch. Perhaps best to wait for the inevitable Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus Extra release, after it’s been well patched.”
WellPlayed – Nathan Hennessy (5/10)
“The bombastic spirit of the earlier generations’ stripped-back open-world antics is woefully undermined by a plague of bugs and an overwhelming sense of deja-vu. The older Saints titles have more arsenal, activities, and humour than this half-baked reboot.”
