Product test
Testing «Way of the Hunter»: a hunting simulator to truly test your patience
by Philipp Rüegg
Reviewing Saints Row: slightly old-fashioned, but still delivering wonderfully carefree action
22.8.2022
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Finally, another open-world game that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Saints Row is all about having fun. Thankfully, plenty was provided.
«Saints Row» 1 and 2 wanted to be a grittier «GTA». All in vain. It wasn’t until «Saints Row The Third» that developer Volition found its own path. This path included rickshaw chases using half-naked sex slaves, cab rides for bad-tempered tigers, or a dubstep gun that forces people to dance. Today’s reboot, simply called «Saints Row», is a bit more serious, but still puts a lot of emphasis on fun. I tested the PC version.
A sympathetic bunch
Stale but entertaining gameplay
What does it take to found a successful gang? Well, a suitable headquarters in the colourful Santo Ileso, first off. Neenah finds this in an abandoned church. Stupidly, a construction company has already headed there to demolish our new home. Naturally, we can’t let that happen. Time to borrow a bulldozer from the yellow helmets and have it flatten containers while using the shovel as a catapult to hurl Porta Potties through the air. Realistic? Not really. Fun? Oh yeah.
Slam Dunks with your hoverboard
It’s a bit of a shame that the more imaginative weapons appear late in the game. Assault rifles and rocket launchers are all well and good. The Witzger is an experimental football. With this luminous projectile, I can target people and even vehicles. When hit, they whiz through the air – like a balloon with its knot loosened. Or a hoverboard. I can do slam dunks on vehicles with it. Yeeeeehaaaaa.
I owe these special weapons to the Eurekabator – a criminal enterprise that’s part of our expansion plan. I placed this support centre for startups, which quite coincidentally resembles the one in the HBO series «Silicon Valley», above the site plan in our base. With it, I gradually unlock new flimsy businesses that can be established for the necessary fee at various locations in Santo Ileso.
Pimp my Foodtruck
A cardboard heart
I’d like to mention two mission highlights. The classic ragdolling from past «Saints» games is back on board. To cheat insurance companies, I throw myself in front of moving cars and then fly hundreds of metres through the air. The goal is to hit as many other cars as possible, which will promptly explode, causing maximum damage. I myself don’t get hurt in the process. Did I mention I’m wearing a hot dog hat?
Almost everything in «Saints Row» is trimmed for fun. I steal cars within seconds by diving through the side window – even if it belongs to my buddies whom I’ve previously called for backup. Even the smallest vehicle accelerates like a 700 kW electric car. There are ramps everywhere that can launch me hundreds of metres, and in the air I control my vehicle like an aeroplane. Realistic? Nope. Fun? Hell yeah!
Across all missions or side quests, I enjoy travelling with my buddies. I like my friends. We’re there for each other. The fact that I can still solve any problem like a psychopathic serial killer fits «Saints Row» perfectly. This is also reflected in the dialogue. For example, take Eli and me while storming the headquarters of the Marshalls private army. Due to barely skimming over my employment contract, the Saints have now become a subsidiary of the Marshalls.
The Boss: «I tried it your way, now back to murder»
Eli: «You can’t solve everything with murder»
The Boss: «You shut your mouth»
I like my lovable jerks.
The perfect pastime until «GTA 6»
The only things to criticise are the somewhat poorly placed checkpoints from time to time, the rubber banding system during chases and a few bugs. The graphics won’t knock anyone’s socks off either. Rain especially looks more like a wet sandstorm. But the world is definitely worth giving a spin – if only to set new long jump records in pimped carts. On top of that, there’s a co-op mode, which allows the game to be played with friends.
«Saints Row» doesn’t care about being the most important open-world game of all time. It simply wants to be fun and has fully succeeded in that.
«Saints Row» is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X and Google Stadia. The game was provided to us by Plaion.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
