The PlayStation Plus Essential lineup for September 2023 has been leaked by a reliable source, and it includes the 2022 reboot of Saints Row. The game, which received mixed reviews from critics and fans, will be available for PS Plus subscribers to claim from September 5 to October 3, along with two other unidentified games.
A New Take on Saints Row
Saints Row is a reboot of the popular open-world action-adventure franchise that started in 2006. The game features a new setting, Santo Ileso, a fictional city in the American Southwest inspired by Denver and Albuquerque. The game also introduces a new cast of characters, who form their own criminal organization, the Saints, and rise to power in the city.
The game’s tone is more grounded and realistic than the previous entries in the series, which were known for their over-the-top humor and absurdity. The game’s developers, Volition, said they wanted to create a fresh start for the franchise and appeal to a wider audience. However, some fans of the series were disappointed by the change in direction and criticized the game’s graphics, writing, and gameplay.
A Mixed Reception from Critics and Fans
Saints Row received an average score of 66 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 85 reviews from critics. The game was praised for its solid combat, busy open world, and enjoyable missions, but was also criticized for its bugs, jank, and predictable story. Richard Wakeling from GameSpot gave the game a 6 out of 10 and wrote: “Rebooting the series made sense, yet in many ways, Saints Row is still stuck in the past and struggling to live up to its legacy.”
The game also received a mixed response from fans, who were divided over the game’s new direction. Some fans appreciated the game’s attempt to return to the roots of the franchise and offer a more grounded experience, while others felt that the game lost its identity and charm. The game’s user score on Metacritic is 5.3 out of 10, based on over 2,000 ratings.
A Season Pass with Three Expansions
Since its launch in August 2022, Saints Row has received several updates and DLC drops from Volition, which is now part of Borderlands studio Gearbox. The game’s season pass included three expansions: Strange World, Criminal Ventures, and Enter the Dominatrix.
Strange World added a new area to explore, Weird West, which featured supernatural elements and references to western movies. Criminal Ventures added new activities and customization options for the players, such as heists, casinos, and nightclubs. Enter the Dominatrix was a remake of the canceled DLC for Saints Row: The Third, which parodied sci-fi movies and featured aliens, superpowers, and a virtual reality simulation.
A Chance to Try It Out on PS Plus Essential
According to Dealabs user Billbil-kun, who regularly reveals the PS Plus lineup ahead of its official announcement by Sony, Saints Row will be one of the three games available for PS Plus Essential subscribers in September 2023. The other two games have not been identified yet.
PS Plus Essential is a service that offers PS5 and PS4 owners access to a curated selection of games every month. The service also includes online multiplayer, cloud storage, exclusive discounts, and other benefits. The full lineup for September 2023 is expected to be officially announced later this week.
Saints Row will be available to claim from September 5 to October 3 for PS Plus Essential subscribers. This could be a good opportunity for those who missed out on the game or want to give it another chance.
