Saints Row 2022 (Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S)

Game description:

Saints Row is an action-adventure game developed by Volition and published by Deep Silver. It is a reboot of the Saints Row series, and the fifth main installment, following 2013's Saints Row IV. It was released on August 23, 2022 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Google Stadia, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S.

Gameplay:

Similar to previous installments in the series, Saints Row is an open world action game with third-person shooter elements where players complete missions—linear scenarios with set objectives—to progress through the main story. Outside of missions, players can freely roam the game's world and complete optional side activities. The game's setting, the fictional city of Santo Ileso, is broken down into nine districts, which players will have to work towards taking over in the name of their gang, the Saints, earning certain benefits in the process. After taking over a district, players are able to use empty lots found there to launch illegitimate businesses with legitimate fronts to help finance and benefit the gang. The city includes more vertical areas with tools that the player will be able to use to take advantage of that. The driving gameplay has been improved from previous Saints Row games to encourage the use of vehicles as weapons themselves alongside guns. The game includes a detailed character creator for the player-character, including selection of gender. In addition to their character's appearance, players are also able to customize their weapons and vehicles. There is a drop-in cooperative multiplayer mode which allows two players to play together at the same time, with each player using their own custom Boss character and progressing in their own missions.

Game review:

For a game that gives us so much freedom to be exactly who we want to be via its superb customisation options, it’s odd that Saints Row itself struggles to forge its own identity when it comes to the types of wanton criminal activities it makes available to us. There’s definitely no shortage of shallow shoot ‘em up thrills to be had here, but it’s a very familiar and uninspired brand of sandbox fun that’s unlikely to wow anybody who’s played a Saints Row game before, much less a GTA. 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.