Draped in self-created controversy and unnecessary levels of anticipation, the long-awaited reboot of the Saints Row franchise landed on the Epic Games Store last year and fell flat almost immediately. Now, the exclusivity badge has just come off.
In an attempt to try and salvage itself, the Saints Row reboot is launching on Steam at an almost irresistible discount until August 31.
While the initial price of the Standard Edition hovers around $59.99 or £49.99, gamers can now dive into this intriguing universe for a mere $19.79 or £16.49. Meanwhile, the more expansive Gold Edition – including the Expansion Pass as well as the Los Panteros American Muscle Bundle – has plummeted from its original $89.99/£74.99 to $29.69/£24.74. For the ones desiring the grandeur of the Platinum Edition, inclusive of the bonuses in the Gold Edition with a cherry on top – Saints Row: The Third Remastered – the price tag has been slashed from $99.99/£84.99 to $32.99/£28.04.
A stroll down memory lane would remind us that this franchise originally tagged as a GTA Clone, only to metamorphose into a character-rich, whimsically engaging experience. Unfortunately, while the intention was noble – the reboot aimed to echo the eccentric vibes of the third and fourth games – the execution was anything but.
Upon arrival, the latest Saints Row entry was met with mixed feelings, especially because of the glaring absence of its most iconic characters and its peculiar Fortnite-esque graphics.
To make matters worse, the new characters introduced in the Saints Row reboot weren’t likable at all. The adoption of an Epic Exclusivity model – widely unpopular among gamers despite its best efforts – only added to its troubles. But, its introduction on Steam, and a significantly slashed price, may change the tides.
For a price below $20, combined with numerous updates improving its quality of life and the most recent 1.6 patch loaded with additional features, Saints Row is turning into quite the tempting proposition.
Then again, Grand Theft Auto 5 continues to sell well and often goes on sale, so you might as well play the original and not the copy, right?
Ultimately, Steam’s launch of the reboot has ushered in hopes of reaching out to a fresher audience, especially given its significant markdown. It’s a silent prayer that the 1.6 update can rekindle a dwindling spark. For those impatiently tapping their foot for the GTA 6 release, this might be a distraction worth considering.
Then again, what is Saints Row supposed to distract us from? Starfield’s Early Access launch is only a few days away and it comes right around the same time as Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon.
To put it simply, Saints Row is doomed from the start.
Then again, who are we to say? We’ll find out soon enough if the launch on Steam will be good for Saints Row and its developers, Deep Silver Volition.
Just don’t be surprised if it goes the way of Immortals of Aveum, which, by the way, reviewed a lot better among critics.
