Saints Row: Gat out of Hell
- January 22, 2015
- High Voltage Software
- 7h median play time
There is no concept too ridiculous for Volition to exploit and for people with a love of the deranged and silly, Saints Row is one of the funniest games on the market.
"Saints Row: Gat out of Hell" is an open-world standalone expansion where players can choose to play as Johnny Gat or Kinzie Kensington in a quest to save the leader of the Saints' soul in Hell. The game features a unique open world with various districts to explore, where players can complete objectives and battle against nightmarish enemies. The game also supports 2-player online co-op for even more chaotic fun.
Reviews
- story2,096 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story of "Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell" is generally perceived as short and lacking depth, with most players completing it in about 4-6 hours. While it features the franchise's signature humor and absurdity, the narrative is primarily delivered through minimal cutscenes and a series of side missions that feel repetitive and disconnected from a cohesive plot. Many reviewers noted that the game feels more like a standalone expansion or DLC rather than a fully fleshed-out title, with the main storyline often overshadowed by the abundance of side activities.
“The game takes a funny turn by taking place in hell and making you play as either Johnny Gat or Kinzie on a quest to rescue your player character (the president of the United States) from the previous game.”
“The story is told mostly through storybook-style cutscenes, while Jane Austen narrates the tale of the few characters going up against Satan, including a strange musical number at one point.”
“The story is light-hearted and enjoyable, keeping with the over-the-top comedy that makes the Saints Row franchise so enjoyable.”
“The writing is extremely poor, and the game even admits that they ran out of ideas in the middle of the story with a 'quirky' cutscene, then they force you to play minigames for like an hour until you can proceed with the story.”
“The story is practically non-existent and too short, with the majority of the game consisting of repetitive side missions that feel like filler.”
“The main story is just a bit too short -- without the progression system forcing you to play more activities, this game could have been completed in a few hours.”
- gameplay615 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell" is largely a continuation of the mechanics established in "Saints Row IV," featuring familiar superpowers and activities, but with the addition of a new flying mechanic that many players find enjoyable. However, the game has been criticized for its short length, repetitive missions, and lack of depth compared to previous titles, leading some to view it as a glorified DLC rather than a standalone experience. While the humor and chaotic gameplay typical of the series remain intact, the overall execution feels rushed and less innovative, leaving players wanting more variety and content.
“The gameplay is fun, and the overall vibe of the game is true to the character of the series.”
“Gameplay-wise, Gat Out of Hell introduces new weapons and supernatural abilities, allowing players to fly around the hellish landscape with angelic wings or dispatch foes with outlandishly themed guns and powers.”
“The flying mechanics are fun and this is the biggest reason why I played for so long.”
“The gameplay loop gets boring after like an hour of doing the same things over and over again in order to progress the story.”
“The gameplay is also underwhelming, with repetitive missions and limited options for customization.”
“The gameplay is very boring, though there is a new 'flying' mechanic which is quite similar to the glide superpower in sr4.”
- humor404 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell" is widely praised for its irreverent and over-the-top style, consistent with the franchise's legacy. Players appreciate the hilarious dialogue, absurd scenarios, and memorable musical numbers, although some feel it lacks the depth and richness of humor found in earlier installments. Overall, while the game is considered funny and entertaining, many reviewers note that it is shorter and less impactful than its predecessors, leading to mixed feelings about its comedic effectiveness.
“The game takes a funny turn by taking place in hell and making you play as either Johnny Gat or Kinzie on a quest to rescue your player character (the president of the United States) from the previous game.”
“The humor we know from previous parts is there and much more.”
“The story is funny and has multiple endings.”
“Instead of trying to get attention by adding all those famous historic figures and repeating tryhard unfunny humor, they could have made this game a DLC that no one would acknowledge as a 'full game' and everybody would continue on without caring that much.”
“This game is so bad, the jokes are not funny, the gameplay is just reskinned Saints Row. They trashed your boy Dex by making him one of the side mission characters; he has no lines and just dies.”
“Gat Out of Hell is uninspired, unintuitive, repetitive, boring, and just not funny anymore.”
- music345 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music aspect of "Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of a traditional soundtrack and radio stations, which were hallmarks of previous entries in the series. While the game features a standout musical number that some found entertaining and humorous, the absence of licensed music and ambient sound during gameplay left many feeling that the atmosphere was lacking. Overall, the musical elements are seen as a unique but insufficient replacement for the vibrant soundtracks that fans have come to expect from the franchise.
“It's the greatest feature in SR4, to have every single gameplay moment elevated by your choice of music playing in the background, no vehicle needed.”
“The musical number is hilarious and the dialogue is awesome as always.”
“The random musical number in the middle is worth the price of admission all by itself.”
“They were too cheap to spend any money on songs for the radio, so this game has absolutely no music in it.”
“The game doesn't even have music proper, probably to save money on rights for said music.”
“What disappointed me the most was the complete lack of radio music and the city that felt like a mere husk.”
- graphics146 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Gat Out of Hell" receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that they are largely similar to those of its predecessor, "Saints Row IV," and feel outdated for a 2015 release. While some appreciate the vibrant art style and creative designs, others criticize the visuals as lackluster and uninspired, with a few describing them as "drab" or "terrible." Overall, the game is seen as visually acceptable but lacking significant improvements or innovations compared to earlier titles in the series.
“Amazing visuals and game mechanics as well as cool combat style and co-op optional.”
“The graphics and special effects are very nice; this is without a doubt the best-looking part of Saints Row.”
“The game has some really nice environments, and the graphics are really well designed and laid out.”
“The graphics are a little disappointing, but despite that it's simply a must play.”
“Graphically this is not the best looking game ever (I thought Saints Row IV and III looked much better) and this flame-condensed environment is really, really boring.”
“The impressive engine Volition has used in the last three games is finally showing its age, and while it still manages to look fine, the graphics wow factor is gone and the overall bland art direction coupled with washed out color palette makes Gat Out of Hell visually forgettable and underused.”
- grinding75 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players describing it as tedious, repetitive, and excessively time-consuming. While some found enjoyment in the challenges, the majority felt that the game relied too heavily on grinding for achievements and collectibles, often leading to a frustrating experience that detracted from the overall enjoyment. Overall, players recommend caution, suggesting that the game is only worth playing if heavily discounted due to its grind-heavy nature.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“One long, tedious grind.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“The majority of the game is centered around grinding challenges, rather than story.”
“There is way too much grinding for the challenges, which made the game quite tedious at times.”
“Completing this game 100% is tedious.”
- stability44 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- -5 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly detract from the overall experience. While some users noted that it is less buggy than previous entries in the series, many still encountered issues such as co-op disconnects, character freezes, and problematic vehicle handling. Overall, the game appears to be plagued by stability problems, making it feel rushed and unfinished despite its fun gameplay elements.
“No glitches or bugs that I have found.”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes.”
“I appreciate the consistent performance; it never lags or freezes.”
“The glitches that make me restart the computer are annoying, the new flying sidequests are more annoying than entertaining, the story could have worked if given more room but it barely equates to a few hours, and tbh it made me like the character of Johnny Gat less.”
“Same old bugs and glitches as the last two entries with new collision bugs and the worst vehicle driving and handling of all the entries.”
“It looks clearly rushed and unfinished as the story is boring and quick (4 hours of main story-related gameplay/cutscenes), there's glitches everywhere (such as fighting an enemy that's not even close to you, getting soft locked in statues), and, unlike previous games, the 'president' is the default white male character, which makes people who customized their character in previous games feel excluded.”
- replayability27 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Overall, the replayability of the game is a mixed bag, with many users noting that it lacks the depth and variety found in other titles in the series. While some mention the presence of multiple endings and a few extra challenges as potential incentives for replay, the consensus is that the game is relatively short and offers limited replay value, often feeling more like a standalone experience rather than a fully fleshed-out game. Many players suggest that the game is enjoyable for a single playthrough but does not warrant repeated plays.
“It has high replayability, making this the perfect game to strive for.”
“Overall, it's a nice experience with a lot of replayability. 8/10 would punch Satan in the face again.”
“The story is a little bit on the short side but is still pretty good, and there are multiple endings for replayability.”
“Replayability is also practically non-existent because of this.”
“The multiple-choice ending of this game does nearly nothing to increase replayability.”
“In the end, you can finish Gat Out of Hell in around 4-5 hours; after that, the upgrades are not important, the collectibles are not worth searching for, and I do not see any replay value for now.”
- atmosphere21 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its superb sound and visual design that effectively captures a hellish environment, while others criticize the lack of a dynamic soundtrack and vibrant city life, which they feel diminishes the overall experience. The removal of radio stations and a more subdued ambiance have left some feeling that the atmosphere is dull and lacking the signature "Saints Row" charm. However, those who appreciate an edgy and immersive setting may still find enjoyment in the game's unique take on hell.
“The cutscenes definitely give the whole atmosphere of the game.”
“In general, I recommend this part, which, in a way, ends the story of the 'good old saints.' It is really atmospheric, and the endings, of which there are a couple on average, conclude this chapter of the saints.”
“While not being particularly extensive, the game builds on the 'super powers' engine from SR4 to create an awesome and memorable atmosphere in hell.”
“Since radio stations have been completely removed, the soundtrack is considerably smaller, with only a few tunes playing during key moments in the game, leaving the rest of the atmosphere to be covered purely by the hell traffic sounds and the many effects that your weapons and powers produce.”
“What disappointed me the most was the complete lack of radio music and the city that felt like a mere husk (maybe this is intentional but I don't think the atmosphere benefits from it).”
“No music - I understand not buying a whole new soundtrack for an expansion but the silence as you fly around makes the atmosphere dull to the bone.”
- emotional20 mentions
- 90 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by moments that evoke strong feelings, such as touching scenes that can elicit laughter or tears, particularly in the epilogue and musical numbers. While some players found the story to be rushed and lacking depth, others appreciated its emotional impact and the wholesome endings available. Overall, the game offers a mix of heartfelt moments amidst its chaotic and humorous gameplay.
“Great short spin-off with a great and wholesome ending, no matter which of the final options you choose.”
“After the hell Johnny went through (pun intended), it was a really touching moment.”
“Every saga has to have a fitting epilogue, and Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell is a decent final chapter in wacky, crude, zany, filled to the brim with cultural references, emotional and bloody fun adventures of the Saints Row gang.”
“The story is boring, and it's incredibly short if you only focus on the main narrative.”
“The narrative is dull, and the gameplay feels like tedious busywork.”
- monetization14 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 7 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of "Gat out of Hell" has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment in its short length, lackluster story, and recycled content from previous titles in the Saints Row series. Fans feel that the game fails to deliver the quality and charm expected from the franchise, leading to a perception of it being a rushed and greedy addition rather than a meaningful expansion. Overall, the consensus is that the game prioritizes profit over player experience.
“The game feels like a lazy cash grab rather than a proper addition to the series.”
“This game is a poor cash grab, nothing else.”
“The title felt like a quick cash grab from start to finish, everything about it seemed rushed and short-lived.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its strong optimization, running smoothly on a variety of hardware, including older systems like the GTX 770 at 4K and 60 FPS. However, some users reported issues with map loading and the Linux port, which experienced instability and sound problems. Despite these minor setbacks, the general consensus is that the game is well-optimized compared to its predecessors.
“Extremely well optimized, runs 4K solid 60 FPS on medium details on an ancient GTX 770.”
“This is a really well-optimized game for most machines.”
“It is far better optimized than SR4.”
“The map loading and optimization experience is very poor.”
“On a side note, the Linux port wasn't phenomenally good - it was a little unstable, the process needed to be killed manually after quitting, and it occasionally ran into sound issues where it would start stuttering and never stop.”
“It's far better optimized than SR4.”
- character development9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of depth and customization options, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the humor and interactions with characters like Johnny Gat and Jezebel, they feel that the potential for richer character arcs and personal growth is largely unfulfilled. Overall, the absence of meaningful character progression and the inability to customize further diminish the game's engagement factor.
“A little extra effort on more missions and character development would have been appreciated.”
“Your interactions with these characters are interesting to say the least, but there was potential for so much more character development among them all, especially for Jezebel, Satan's sweet daughter who refuses to agree to her arranged marriage with the boss.”
“The game itself was bland but the character development and story kept me hooked.”
“You can play as either Johnny or Kinzie, but that's the only customization option available in the game. Clothing shops and the plastic surgeon store from Saints Row IV are not present here, so you will be stuck with the same character design for the entirety of the game, making progress and leveling up feel insignificant, especially since the most useful power upgrades can be unlocked in just a few hours.”
“But it also felt very empty and boring with little to no character development or much to keep my attention.”
“I understand it's 'expandalone' content, but at the least it could have carried over some of the more interesting bits from SR4 in regards to how it treated character development and backstory.”
Critic Reviews
Saints Row: Gat Out Of Hell Review
While some things might just appear a reskin of the super power stuff Volition has done already in Saints Row IV, the presentation of it all and how it wraps up together in Hell gives it a pass. Make no mistake this isn’t a full blown adventure but a ‘just go with it’ adrenaline rollercoaster ride; it has its ups and downs, with plenty of big drops for the rush, but it’ll be over soon enough. Gat out of Hell is a great round off to the Saints Row adventure as it gets wackier and wackier, with it standing as a defiant parody of how the Saints ended up in this mess.
80%Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell Review
As a standalone title, Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell is fun enough, but it feels like a stripped down version of what it should have been. It's a real shame; there are moments where the game really shines.This game is a fun distraction, but sadly a forgettable one. It feels like it could have been so much more...
60%Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell
Saints Row: Gat out of Hell supplies more Saints Row IV gameplay but in a new setting backed by an amusing, if short, story. It’s just a shame that its made up of a collection of side content that doesn’t offer the stupid creativity that made up so many moments in the last two Saints Row games. Anyone who enjoys the series will find things to enjoy in Saints Row: Gat out of Hell, but as long as you don’t go in expecting a long story backed by great mission design, you should get on just fine with this uninspired bite size, but familiar, addition to the Saints Row family.
60%