Saints Row

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Saints Row are quite varied. Some critics, such as Malditos Nerds and GAMINGbible, have positive views of the story, praising its well-planned narrative, lovable characters, and engaging main storyline. These critics appreciate the potential for a dedicated series and find the story to be engaging and filled with hilarious hijinks and funny characters. Additionally, The Independent mentions that the game provides enough of a compelling narrative to warrant spending more time with the characters, indicating that there are some positive aspects to the story. However, there are several critics who express negative opinions about the story of Saints Row. IGN Portugal and Softpedia criticize the story for lacking depth, with forgettable characters and flimsy character development. Slant Magazine and The Loadout describe the story as depressing, dated, and lacking energy and self-awareness. They also criticize the plot for being unoriginal and similar to other games in the genre. Destructoid mentions that while the story attempts to ground the game while maintaining the series' signature absurdity, it runs the risk of alienating some audiences. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While some critics appreciate certain aspects of the story, such as its engaging main storyline and potential for a dedicated series, others find it lacking in depth, character development, and originality. Critics like ZTGD and Digital Spy highlight the lack of a real story mode and missions that feel like random activities. On the other hand, critics like TheSixthAxis and Post Arcade (National Post) mention some positive elements, such as explosive set pieces, parodical gags, and wry social commentary. It is clear that the story of Saints Row has both its strengths and weaknesses, leaving room for improvement in future iterations.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Saints Row are varied, with both positive and negative aspects highlighted. Starting with the positives, several critics praise the fun and entertaining nature of the gameplay, with Malditos Nerds and Push Square specifically mentioning the enjoyable combat and driving mechanics. The inclusion of a wide range of activities and missions is also commended by critics such as Post Arcade and Guardian, who mention carjackings, train robberies, and Hollywood-style heists as examples of engaging gameplay elements. The customization options for weapons, cars, and player characters are also mentioned positively by Xbox Tavern and The Loadout. Additionally, the inclusion of new skills, perks, and abilities as players progress through the game is appreciated by TheSixthAxis and But Why Tho?. On the negative side, critics point out several flaws in the gameplay of Saints Row. The shooting mechanics receive criticism from multiple reviewers, with ZTGD, Impulsegamer, and VideoGamer mentioning that they feel shallow or lacking. Slant Magazine goes further to criticize the inaccurate gunplay, limited weapon variety, and sparse rewards for success. Repetitiveness is another common complaint, with Malditos Nerds, Softpedia, Xbox Achievements, and VG247 mentioning that the missions can feel repetitive or like busy work. Some critics also highlight the lack of mission variety and depth, with Xbox Achievements and The Independent mentioning the game becoming repetitive and lacking variation. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While there are positive aspects mentioned, such as the fun and engaging nature of the gameplay, the inclusion of diverse missions and activities, and the customization options, there are also significant criticisms. The shooting mechanics, lack of mission variety, repetitive gameplay, and limited depth are mentioned as areas where the game falls short. It is worth noting that some critics, such as IGN Portugal and The Loadout, express overall positive opinions of the gameplay, while others, such as Slant Magazine and VideoGamer, are more critical. Ultimately, players should consider these varied opinions and their own preferences when deciding whether to engage with the gameplay of Saints Row.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Saints Row are quite varied. Some critics, such as GAMINGbible and Game Informer, praise the game's visuals, describing them as visually gorgeous, striking a balance between modern and traditional Saints Row aesthetics, and featuring a colorful and visually appealing fictional world. These critics highlight the creative architectural designs, scenic landscapes, and the game's encouragement of players to admire the craftsmanship with photo opportunities. The vibrant and varied game world, improved lighting, and natural animations are also mentioned as positive aspects by PCGamesN. On the other hand, several critics express negative opinions about the graphics and visual design of Saints Row. IGN Portugal criticizes the underutilization of the city of Santo Ileso, mentioning inaccessible buildings and repetitive NPCs. Malditos Nerds points out that while the visuals are vibrant, they lack depth and feel empty. Impulsegamer criticizes the dated and ugly character models, texture pop-ins, and glitches, although they do acknowledge the excellent lighting. The Independent describes the world as sparse with little visual identity, and the more densely populated areas as empty. They also mention technical issues and clunkiness that require mission restarts. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed opinion of the graphics and visual design of Saints Row. While some critics appreciate certain aspects such as the vibrant visuals, creative architectural designs, and scenic landscapes, others criticize the dated character models, lack of depth, technical issues, and underutilization of the game world. The opinions of critics like Slant Magazine, Softpedia, and Push Square do not provide specific criticisms or praises, making it difficult to gauge their overall sentiment. However, the general sentiment seems to suggest that while Saints Row has its visual highlights, it also falls short in certain areas, resulting in a somewhat underwhelming visual experience.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Saints Row, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects highlighted. The positive aspects revolve around the voice acting and humor in the game, which are consistently praised by multiple critics. VG247 specifically mentions the joyous use of the game's goofy script and praises the voice acting, while Xbox Achievements commends the character voice work. Player 2 also emphasizes the top-class voice performances and genuinely funny humor. These positive elements contribute to the overall enjoyment and immersion of the game, creating a memorable experience for players. On the other hand, there are some negative aspects raised by the critics. ZTGD mentions that the sound effects in Saints Row feel lifeless, which can potentially detract from the overall experience. Press Start Australia notes that the general background noise can feel low and lifeless at times, further reinforcing this sentiment. Slant Magazine criticizes the limited radio station playlists, indicating a lack of variety and potentially repetitive music choices. PCGamesN, while praising the sound design for its punchy and satisfying effects, does not specifically mention any positive aspects related to the music. Taking into account the various opinions, the overall consensus among the critics is that the voice acting and humor in Saints Row are standout features. The positive comments from VG247, Xbox Achievements, and Player 2 regarding these aspects highlight their importance in creating an engaging and enjoyable experience. However, there are some concerns raised about the sound effects feeling lifeless, the limited radio station playlists, and the occasionally low and lifeless background noise. While these criticisms may impact the overall immersion, they do not overshadow the positive aspects of the game. Overall, the critics' opinions suggest that the Sound Design and Music of Saints Row contribute positively to the overall experience, with the voice acting and humor being the standout elements.

In analyzing the opinions of the videogame reviewers regarding the voice acting of Saints Row, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects highlighted. The positive feedback revolves around the well-written and performed voice acting, with some critics even expressing a desire for a TV series based on the game's voice acting. Malditos Nerds praises the voice acting as well-written and performed, indicating a strong positive sentiment. Xbox Achievements also commends the character voice work, stating that it is very good for the most part. VG247 goes a step further and describes the voice work as top-tier, with everyone in the voice booth obviously having a blast. These positive reviews suggest that the voice acting in Saints Row is a standout aspect of the game, contributing to its overall quality. On the other hand, there are some critics who mention weaknesses in the voice acting. TheSixthAxis points out weak character dialogue at times, indicating that there may be inconsistencies in the quality of the voice acting throughout the game. However, it is important to note that this critique is not heavily emphasized by the reviewer, suggesting that it may not significantly impact the overall sentiment towards the voice acting. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Saints Row is a strong aspect of the game. The positive feedback from Malditos Nerds, Xbox Achievements, and VG247 highlights the well-written and performed voice acting, with VG247 specifically mentioning the enjoyment and enthusiasm of the voice actors. Additionally, Game Informer praises the supporting cast, emphasizing the fantastic performances that contribute to a legitimate team dynamic. While there is some mention of weak character dialogue by TheSixthAxis, it does not appear to detract from the overall positive sentiment towards the voice acting. Therefore, the majority of the critics' opinions lean towards a positive evaluation of the voice acting in Saints Row.

In terms of technical performance on different gaming platforms, there are both positive and negative aspects highlighted by the critics. Starting with the positives, some reviewers mentioned relatively minor issues or no significant technical problems on specific platforms. For example, Impulsegamer playing on PS5 stated texture pop-ins, FOV issues, and glitches, but did not mention any major game-breaking bugs. VG247 playing on PS5 only mentioned frame rate drops in intense moments without any other significant technical performance issues. These reviews suggest that the PS5 version of Saints Row may have fewer technical problems compared to other platforms. Moving on to the negatives, the majority of critics pointed out various technical issues across all platforms. Slant Magazine playing on PC criticized the game for bugs and glitches, including issues with character customization, which were similar to the glitches in the remaster of Saints Row The Third. Softpedia playing on PS5 mentioned unresponsive controls, failed cutscenes, and buggy aim assist, indicating a rushed release with numerous technical issues. Digital Spy playing on Xbox Series X described the game as marred by bugs, broken missions, missing vehicles or characters, and falling through the floor. Xbox Achievements playing on Xbox Series X also mentioned minor and major bugs causing game freezes. These reviews highlight significant technical problems across different gaming platforms. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Saints Row suffers from a multitude of technical issues, regardless of the gaming platform. The Independent playing on Xbox Series X mentioned soft-lock states and frozen enemies, while Xbox Tavern playing on the same platform highlighted major bugs and glitches, including NPCs T-posing, unresponsive AI, and cutscene outfit loading issues. Launcher (The Washington Post) playing on PC criticized the game for being badly optimized and buggy, with weapon malfunctions, mission failures, crashes, and invulnerable enemies. Guardian playing on Xbox Series X mentioned menu system problems, HUD map display issues, and bugs like characters and cars getting stuck in the scenery. These reviews collectively indicate that the game's technical performance and stability are lacking across all platforms. While there are some positive aspects mentioned by a few critics, the overall sentiment regarding the technical performance of Saints Row is predominantly negative. The game is plagued by various bugs, glitches, and technical issues on all gaming platforms, affecting gameplay, graphics, and overall immersion. The reviews consistently highlight problems such as game-breaking bugs, mission failures, unresponsive controls, and graphical glitches that hinder the player's experience. The general consensus is that the game feels rushed, lacking polish, and in need of significant improvements in terms of technical performance.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Saints Row are varied. Some critics, such as TheSixthAxis and Game Informer, highlight the game's positive aspects in terms of replayability. They mention a wealth of optional activities, challenges, collectibles, and customization options that provide a sense of building a criminal empire and expanding the Saints' grip on the city. These elements contribute to the open-world formula and checklist-style gameplay, making it suitable for 100% completion and exploration. The game's muck-about nature and potential for sequels also add to its replay value, according to Destructoid. On the other hand, there are critics who express concerns about the game's replayability. Malditos Nerds notes that the game offers repetitive side missions, which may not appeal to those seeking a next-gen experience. Gfinity and But Why Tho? both mention that the side activities and collectibles can become dull, repetitive, and uninspired. Gfinity also points out that some of the activities feel caught in the past and are reskins of old content, which suggests limited replay value. VG247 and Push Square mention that while there are a lot of side activities and businesses to engage with, some activities can feel repetitive and lack a sense of discovery. Push Square also states that the side activities feel like busywork. Overall, the critics' opinions on the replay value of Saints Row are mixed. While some critics highlight the game's positive aspects, such as the variety of missions, side activities, and collectibles, others express concerns about the repetitive nature of the side content and lack of innovation. The game's potential for exploration, customization, and co-op mode are seen as contributing to its replay value, but the repetitive and uninspired nature of some activities is a point of criticism. Despite these varying opinions, it can be concluded that Saints Row offers a decent amount of replay value, particularly for fans of the series and those who enjoy open-world gameplay and checklist-style progression.