As subscribers excitedly wait for the September 2023 PlayStation Plus Essential, leaks suggest that last year’s reboot of Saints Row will be the centerpiece of the offer.
Dealabs user Billbil-kun, known for leaking PS Plus lineups, allegedly spilled the beans. Set in Santo Ileso, this new entry sought to return the franchise to its origins with a more “grounded” narrative – albeit still dripping with the signature Saints Row zaniness. The official word from Sony is anticipated on Wednesday, August 30.
If the rumors are accurate, players can expect to redeem Saints Row between September 5 and October 3. If we ask the early adopters of the title, this isn’t a highlight but more of a Hail Mary – a final attempt to try and salvage the game’s reputation.
Released a decade after the last Saints Row game, the reboot has had its fair share of ups and downs. While it was an honest attempt to try and provide an alternative to Grand Theft Auto, it failed on multiple fronts. The franchise peaked with Saints Row 2 and the rest basically sold well because of the goodwill that it earned. The reboot had nothing going for it, casting doubt on the future of the brand.
Yet, there’s a reason to be optimistic about the Saints Row reboot. Merged with Borderlands’ Gearbox, Volition has since rolled out noteworthy updates and DLCs that might rejuvenate the playing experience, especially when paired with the PS Plus inclusion and the discount in its launch on Steam.
Unfortunately, beyond the narrative, Saints Row faced flak for its core gameplay. Its lackluster gunplay and awful story just failed to resonate with anyone. Nevertheless, Saints Row looked decent, with standout environmental art design.
On the flip side, for those who haven’t dived into Saints Row, this PS Plus offer might just be the ticket. Despite negative criticisms, its open-world dynamics, action sequences, and missions do have some merit. Even if its humor misses the mark occasionally, it can offer a fun-filled sandbox experience with the right perspective.
Besides the Saints Row reboot, the air is thick with anticipation around the other titles PlayStation might unveil. Rumors and leaks have been part and parcel of the PS Plus universe. Just this July, Alan Wake Remastered and Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War were unveiled before the official announcement. With the potential addition of Saints Row, it’s only fair to wonder if PlayStation might drop another bombshell like Elden Ring, God of War Ragnarok, or Marvel’s Spider-Man. However, Billbil_kun, while confirming Saints Row as the headliner, remained tight-lipped about the other accompanying titles.
Unfortunately, this might suggest that the other two titles aren’t going to be as big as Saints Row, which isn’t the best way to look at things.
Of course, as with all the big titles, the experiences are subjective. Whether you revel in the absurdity of the Saints Row universe or critique its departure from its original essence, there’s no denying its iconic presence in the gaming sphere.
If it’s any consolation, August was a big month for PS Plus, with Sea of Stars set to join the library on August 29. This JRPG title pays homage to the classics of the genre and received rave reviews ahead of its launch. It’s the first game to be available on both the PS Plus and the Game Pass at the same time.
