Republished on Wednesday, thirteenth July, 2022: We’re bringing this assessment again from the archives following the announcement of July’s PS Plus Additional, Premium lineup. The unique textual content follows.

You would be forgiven for pondering that Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell is not really a PlayStation 4 sport. Proper from the phrase go, the now-zany franchise’s newest romp seems to be unashamedly last-gen, and whereas everyone knows that graphics aren’t the whole lot, even we needed to examine twice to be sure that we hadn’t someway lowered our tv’s decision. Textures are muddy, clipping points are plentiful, and general, the underworld outing is downright ugly.

Luckily, the probabilities are that you simply will not care an excessive amount of about visible constancy while you’re inflicting absolute, unadulterated chaos. In actual fact, you could even be inspired to extend every homicide spree purely out of pity to your poor eyes, which is able to in all probability nonetheless be reeling from a sandbox world that someway sports activities extra greys and browns than Watch Canines’ decidedly drab model of Chicago.

Should you’re new to Saints Row, all that you actually need to know is that this standalone enlargement carries on the collection’ love for the ridiculous. Since Saints Row: The Third, developer Volition’s creation has nosedived into complete insanity, and there is nonetheless nothing fairly prefer it on at this time’s market. With a map affected by elective aims and a storyline that’ll usually have you ever staring on the display screen in near-disbelief, it is the definitive sandbox choice for anybody who desires a title that does not take itself critically, and loves nothing greater than being showered in customisation choices, weird weaponry, and preposterous tremendous powers.

As the journey’s identify suggests, the enlargement focuses on fan favorite Johnny Gat as he journeys into Hell to save lots of the Boss. The story’s arguably even sillier than Saints Row IV’s – and that was totally bonkers to start with – however there’s nothing significantly unsuitable with this, purely as a result of it is so self-aware. There’s some genuinely humorous writing scattered all through, and proceedings by no means overstay their welcome because the enlargement solely lasts roughly six hours.

Over these six hours, you may be following what is basically the identical system that is discovered within the Saints’ final outing. You may velocity across the map in a car or by way of your satisfying flight potential, crossing off elective actions like time trials, assassinations, and survival challenges, all whereas sometimes dropping into brief stints of storyline that hold issues shifting at a brisk tempo. You may take your time and discover the underworld to your coronary heart’s content material, after all, however not like different open world video games, Gat Out of Hell is constructed purely to deal with the over-the-top mayhem that you simply trigger. Put merely, in the event you’re not booting each single damned soul that you simply come throughout squarely within the rump, you then’re in all probability not taking part in this proper.

Returning briefly to the matter of facet actions, the choice that is on provide right here is not too completely different to what’s present in Saints Row IV, however the whole lot’s simply as enjoyable. Adopting the type of a decrepit ghoul whereas throwing your self into oncoming visitors within the insurance coverage fraud missions could be hysterical due to sensible ragdoll physics, and plain previous survival battles are made entertaining by the unending stream of tremendous powers and armaments that you simply’re gifted.

Certainly, the weapon selection is incredible, starting from comparatively normal rifles and pistols to weird shooters which are primarily based upon the seven lethal sins. Very like its mother or father title, the enlargement is at its greatest while you’re casually switching between skills and firearms to mutilate your foes, and pondering up your personal ridiculous and overpowered combos could be plenty of enjoyable.

That stated, there is a particular air of familiarity about Gat Out of Hell. In some ways, that is only a re-skinned model of Saints Row IV, with a couple of new animations and cutscenes thrown in. Hell is not as huge as Steelport, and would not present pretty much as good a sandbox surroundings, so in the event you’re not up for extra of the identical on a smaller scale, then you could need to assume twice about getting into the hearth.

Those that love the franchise’s insanity will little question discover lots to love right here, although, particularly when the discharge introduces its personal model of William Shakespeare – who now DJs at Hell’s solely nightclub – and there is sufficient narrative exposition to maintain the enlargement tied in nicely with Saints Row IV’s preposterous plot.

Talking of which, genius lady Kinzie can be alongside for the journey, and also you’re in a position to swap between her and Gat at your base of operations. It is not an enormous deal as there aren’t too many cutscenes to start with, however in the event you develop uninterested in Johnny making jokes about collectibles nearly each time that you simply choose one up, switching him out for his feminine confederate could alleviate the annoyance. Then once more, repetitive strains apart, the voice appearing is prime notch – particularly when the sport decides to take a musical flip, and every character is belting out their dialogue to a sometimes corny tune.

Conclusion

Gat Out of Hell supplies a couple of extra hours of enjoyable for many who adored Saints Row IV, however it’ll rapidly outstay its welcome in the event you aren’t down with the gang. It’s going to additionally show to be a complicated and bogus journey for newcomers, so we suggest grabbing the complete bundle on the PS4 in the event you’re not even certain who Johnny Gat is. With entertaining powers and a few nice new weapons, the standalone enlargement holds its personal – however do not anticipate your otherworldly trip to be something greater than a fast and acquainted break.