This review is, without a doubt, going to be a controversial one.
I'll confess right away that I'm not exactly an expert on the Saints Row series. Although I know the franchise, I never had as strong a connection to the earlier titles as many of its most dedicated fans. Perhaps that's exactly why I was able to approach this reboot from a different perspective — and, who knows, a more open one regarding the changes that have generated so much discussion since its release.
Most of the criticism I saw directed at the game focused on two aspects in particular: the change in tone compared to previous titles and the number of technical issues present around launch. As for the humor, I partially understand the criticism. There are a few moments when the jokes seem a little too forced or don't land as well as intended, but honestly, I never felt that was enough to compromise the experience. On the contrary, most of the time the game manages to find a pleasant balance between the absurd, laid-back humor, and the more intense action moments.
The gameplay may not be as refined as it could have been. You can tell there was room for more polish, especially in some animations and mechanics. Even so, there's something incredibly fun about the way Saints Row embraces chaos. Fights are quick, explosive, and offer that constant feeling of carefree fun that makes you want to play just one more mission before turning off the console.
One of the biggest highlights is, without a doubt, the customization. Volition provided an impressive number of options for creating your character and adapting practically every aspect of the experience to your liking. It's the kind of freedom that fits the series' identity perfectly and helps you form a stronger bond with the game's world.
The narrative also surprised me positively. It isn't a revolutionary story, but it's interesting enough to hold your attention until the final credits. The balance between comedic moments and more serious situations works better than I expected, letting the characters develop some personality without the game losing its more irreverent side.
One of the missions that stayed with me the most perfectly sums up what Saints Row tries to be. It all starts with one of our companions' simple desire to get a toy from a kids' menu at a fast-food chain. What should be a mundane task quickly turns into an absurd sequence of events involving chases, confrontations with a rival gang, and the kind of chaos only this series can deliver. It's a perfect example of how the game manages to alternate between the ridiculous and full-throttle action without losing its identity.
In the end, I believe this reboot's biggest problem is precisely carrying the Saints Row name. Many fans expected a return to a particular vision of the franchise and ended up finding something quite different. That disappointment is perfectly understandable and legitimate. However, looking at the game for what it is and not for what some wished it would be, I found a genuinely fun experience.
Saints Row is far from perfect. It has technical flaws, a few debatable decisions, and it will hardly be remembered as one of the great games of its generation. Even so, it accomplished what it set out to do: entertain me for many hours and provide moments of pure fun. For anyone looking for a light, chaotic game — ideal for switching off your brain after a more tiring day — this reboot may very well prove to be a pleasant surprise.
out of 10
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Game Saints Row Released 2022 Available on PC · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox One · Xbox Series X|S Reviewed on Xbox Series X|S |  Cover: IGDB |
| PL | Pedro Lopes Writer · Portugal |
A games writer from Portugal running on a highly irresponsible amount of coffee — his blood type is officially "espresso". He has been a content creator at Lisbon Games Week, a jury member at Over & Out ’25 and an attendee of DevGAMM Lisbon 2025 (mostly for the free coffee). He has a Pac-Man tattoo on his finger, which contractually obliges him to chase ghosts forever.