Gaming

Saints Row 2022 review: A chaotic way to start an empire

Chaotic gameplay, equally chaotic story

Published

September 15, 2022

Gab Orlina

What would push any human being to start their own criminal empire? Some people do it for fame, fortune, a little bit of both, or as an act of revenge against the system. Also, in most cases, people wouldn’t start an empire on their own, especially if you want to make a mark on society – good or bad.

In essence, this is what Saints Row 2022 hoped to show you the moment the opening scene popped up. Like all its predecessors, it hinges on amassing a criminal empire and letting everyone know about it. Unlike its predecessors, the 2022 version wants to build that experience from the ground up while still maintaining the same level of chaos and a bit of wackiness in there.

I already touched on this game a little bit and had a pretty decent time to start. Now that I’ve gone through most of what the game offers, do I still hold it in relatively high regard like before?

How chaotic could this gameplay get?

We all know Saints Row games to be pretty chaotic in terms of the gameplay style; I mean, people called it a Grand Theft Auto clone notably for that reason. It’s this kind of unhinged gameplay style that drew in so many fans before, and the same can be said for the 2022 version. From the weapons to the vehicles, Saints Row 2022 offers total chaos to those who bring it.

Come on down to Friendly Fire for the latest in destructive arsenal!

One great thing I appreciated about this game was the fact that all your weapons are easily accessible through the Weapon Wheel. Of course, total carnage cannot be achieved without a wide variety of arsenal at your disposal. Although, I still find it too taxing to have to go to the gun shop to refill the ammo when I’m not in active combat.

The Wingsuit returns for more air gliding traversal from high places

Of course, it’s important to have the right transportation options, and Saints Row is chock full of it. From futuristic hoverboards to literal tanks and monster trucks, this game has a ton for you to use at your disposal. Also, happy to report that you can store as much of it in your Garage, but you’d obviously prefer stealing one on the street instead. If you don’t like cruising in metal, your character still has a Wingsuit for some free and light air travel.

Flashes of immersive chaos in Santo Ileso

How do these all contribute to the feeling of playing a new Saints Row? For the most part, all of these gameplay elements provide a decent open-world experience. If you’re more into creating chaos wherever you go, all the weapons and vehicles are there at your disposal along with every other violent NPC you’ll encounter.

In Santo Ileso, you will come across three different factions all vying for the same control you want. These guys are scattered throughout the entire overworld, which is pretty massive so you will need those vehicles eventually. When prompted, you do have an opportunity to flex how good you are at clicking heads at every kind of threat. Of course, with all this chaos happening, all the cops will show up in the end to “try” and quell it – we all know you won’t allow that.

Yet, after all that chaos, nothing else really happens when you just play it outside the killings. Apart from the usual POIs like your Clothes Shop, Criminal Ventures, and Landmarks, there’s nothing else to do. Actually, let’s touch on that a bit more here:

Visually appealing, not so interactive though

From an overall visual standpoint, Saints Row 2022 definitely looks like the most refined game in the series. Of course, I say this considering that I have an Xbox Series X version of the game, so most visual elements look pleasantly detailed on it. Even so, you can see the amount of work put into improving the overall environment – from lighting to coloration across all POIs.

A view of the Santo Ileso Skyline

As I mentioned before, even with all these working for the game, it’s not as inviting or interactive. I noticed in most general areas, there’s practically the same set of buildings copy-pasted across the field. Honestly, within my first 10 hours of playing the game, I had literally seen everything on the map and had only interacted with a good five percent of it.

One of your Criminal Ventures within Santo Ileso

Also, I felt that there’s nothing particularly enticing within the overworld to accomplish outside of the main story and actual side quests that contribute to game completion. Other open world games with a similar nature leave a ton of things to grab or interact with. Here, you can’t enter most buildings and every nook and cranny just feels like going through a plain street.

A story with some holes and just flopped in general

Perhaps the biggest thing that I had a gripe with about this game was the main plot you’re working towards. In my first impressions of the game, I actually liked the fact that they went with the whole “building an empire from the ground up” type of pitch. It’s something quite unique in the Saints Row Multiverse, considering that previously, you’re just thrown into the empire.

I expected a journey of literal trial and tribulation to achieve the kind of status a criminal empire brings to a hardened soul like “The Boss.” Instead, we pretty much have a watered down, Gen Z version of what it means to start an empire. It’s more fun than serious most of the time, and I just find myself a bit dumbfounded every time I progress through it.

Sure, it’s a good thing that the game finally gave you a reason to do the side quests as these would help progress through the main storyline. However, I have no clue as to what exactly I’m trying to achieve in all this. Did I, as “The Boss,” just wanted to start a criminal empire because I’m sick and tired of the system? After going through the main story, it just left me unsatisfied with how everything transpired.

Kevin, Eli, You, and Neena, and somehow you’re all besties

Also, I want to just point out that at no point in time did the game actually tell you how you met the three friends you built the empire with. Seriously, you begin the story being friends with them already, and not much dialogue or flashback segments call back to how you met. Even their intentions for wanting to join you are a bit petty at best.

Hard-sell for long time fans, chaotic mess for newbies

Saints Row 2022 was more of a disappointment in the storyline department, and more of the same chaotic energy in the gameplay aspects. It shines through its gameplay style that’s consistent with all the other games, without any particular magical gimmicks. Also, from a visual standpoint, it’s vibrant and relatively seeping with proper lighting and coloration.

Even with the gameplay and visuals looking pretty decent, it’s not as fun to play in the long run when you’re trudging through a story that’s bland, somewhat repetitive, and unfulfilling. As you amass your criminal empire with relative ease and minimal casualties, you feel unaccomplished. It’s as if it wasn’t worth going through all that trouble and sacrifice to start an empire, when these guys could have just asked for better treatment from their former factions.

I still stand by the fact that for old time fans, you will enjoy the carnage a little bit. Other than that, if you’re looking for a fulfilling way to be the fiercest gang in town, this game doesn’t promise you that. Maybe a sequel for this game might do the trick and turn things around some time later on.

Related Topics:Saints Row Saints Row 2022

Gaming

PRAGMATA release date, Nintendo Switch 2 availability confirmed

Preorders now open, free demo available too

Published

December 19, 2025

GadgetMatch

Capcom has announced the official release date for upcoming sci-fi action game PRAGMATA. The title will be available on April 24, 2026 on multiple platforms.

Aside from launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam, PRAGMATA will also be available on Nintendo Switch 2, as confirmed in a new trailer exploring the lunar cityscape.

Preorders are now available as well on all platforms. In addition, the Sketchbook Demo is now available on Steam and is coming to consoles soon.

The free public demo provides the opportunity to experience the title’s immersive setting and thrilling gameplay for the first time. It also includes fun extra surprises to challenge players.= and encourage repeat playthroughs.

As a preorder bonus, players will receive Hugh’s samurai-styled Neo bushido outfit and Diana’s ninja-inspired Neo Kunoichi costume.

Alongside the standard version, a Deluxe Edition will be available. This includes the Shelter Variety Pack, an assortment of alternate outfits for the two characters.

The Deluxe Edition also includes a weapon skin, emotes, extra background music, and an in-game library with 75 digital artwork pieces.

The new trailer expands what players know of the game’s environment so far, with the protagonists in what seemingly looks like a futuristic dystopian city. It shows Hugh and Diana both being chased by various opponents, as well as a bit of their dynamic together.

As for its gameplay, PRAGMATA will feature a dual-character control, enabling players to control both Hugh and Diana simultaneously.

Central to the action is a “hacking” mechanic but Capcom will enrich combat with a more strategic and exciting element unique to the title.

Gaming

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade free demo released

For Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox

Published

December 18, 2025

GadgetMatch

Square Enix has released a free demo for Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade which is launching on January 22, 2026.

The demo is available on Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox on PC. Players can carry their save data from the demo period over to the full game and claim the bonus items “Revival Earrings” and “Survival Set” in the process.

In addition, the game has Xbox Play Anywhere support. This means players can enjoy seamless progression across console and PC platforms.

Switch 2 users can enter the following codes to download the demo via the “Redeem Code” option on the Nintendo e-Shop:

United States: D3GM3304HKQBB2VB
Europe: D3GM3304HKPBB2VB
Japan: D3GM3304H3DBB2VB
Korea: D3GM3304H3CBB2VB
Hong Kong and Taiwan: D3GM3304H3BBB2VB
Southeast Asia: D3GM3304HY9BB2VB

Meanwhile, the free demo for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox for PC is available via this link.

Aside from the aforementioned platforms, the visually enhanced and expanded version of the original 2020 remake is already available on PlayStation 5, Steam, and Epic games.

What players can expect

In the demo, players can experience the game’s iconic opening chapter, in which the mercenary Cloud Strife and the underground resistance group Avalanche attempt to destroy a Mako Reactor powering the dystopian city of Midgar.

In their fight against the Shinra Electric Power Company, Cloud and his comrades are thrust into a larger conflict that will decide the fate of the planet.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade features improved graphics and performance. Aside from that, the game includes FF7R EPISODE INTERmission.

This exciting additional story features fan-favorite ninja Yuffie Kisaragi as she embarks on a thrilling new adventure.

Players can expect expanded gameplay mechanics, refined combat systems, and immersive storytelling that deepens the lore of Midgar.

Square Enix has also released a new One-Winged Angel trailer:

Gaming

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro might be the comfiest headphones I’ve tried

The memory foam cushioning is divine.

Published

December 17, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Despite being a self-professed audiophile, I have always had a problem with wearing headphones the whole day. Sooner or later, the weight just becomes too much. So, when I saw the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro with its thick cushioning, it was love at first sight.

But will that love last?

Lookin’ like a succulent pork belly

Obviously, I’m exaggerating, but the head strap really does look like a pork belly because of how thick it is. And that’s not a complaint, either.

The BlackShark V3 Pro has one of the most comfortable cushioning I’ve ever experienced from a pair of headphones. Plus, both the head strap and the earcups use memory foam, so it feels like new every single time.

Over time, I can barely feel the headphones bearing down on the top of my head because of the thick cushioning. I lasted more than five hours before I felt anything. Even after taking it off for a spell, I was ready to get back into the game. For me, that’s an absurdly good record.

The earcups, on the other hand, fit perfectly. For reference, I have an average ear size. A lot of headphones I’ve tried often leave my ears in pain from all the flexing, but the BlackShark’s fit is just right.

A minimalist but elegant design

Besides the nice cushioning, the rest of the headphones exude that elegant look you might expect from more premium headphones. Except for incredibly subtle Razer branding and a thin ring of lime green around the mic button, there’s nothing to indicate that this is a pro gaming headset.

The earcups are connected to the strap via thin metal arms and a braided cable. The same arms offer 15-degree maneuverability to ensure the most comfortable fit.

Unfortunately, they don’t fold, so it’s harder to take these headphones outside. It’s a slight wrinkle in an otherwise stellar design.

Going back to analog

A lot of headphones today prefer using gesture controls over actual buttons and knobs. Getting rid of buttons does help make designs look sleeker. However, it comes with the added frustration of fiddling around with often-finicky gestures.

Thankfully, the BlackShark V3 Pro has a wealth of buttons and knobs for, in my opinion, easier control. This also lends to its credence as a gaming peripheral. When I’m in the zone, I don’t want to mess around with gestures that might not even work.

The left cup has a dedicated power button, a microphone button, a USB-C slot, and a 3.5mm port (for both input and output). It also has a nifty knob for volume control.

Meanwhile, the right cup has an equalizer button, a noise cancelling button, and a dial to adjust the ANC levels. There’s also audio feedback that lets you know exactly what you’ve pressed.

I love this layout. Though you can argue that all these buttons seem like overkill, there’s just something about manually pressing buttons and turning knobs, especially when you’re focused on gaming. It’s like a palpable feeling of turning it to 11 that you just don’t get with gesture controls.

Premium for gaming, a step less for everything else

The BlackShark V3 Pro is a bass-leaning headset. That’s pretty much what you’d expect from a gaming-focused device. A premium on bass helps you feel the immersive thump of gunshots, explosions, and even simple footsteps.

Personally, I don’t prefer bass-heavy devices. However, this pair refreshingly does not tear with high bass level. It offers a pretty rich output for the deeper end of the audio spectrum. An extensive listening session of metal created thrumming breakdowns and heavy drum solos.

However, there’s a clear step down when it comes to treble. It’s only one step down, though, because I can hear that these cans are capable of impressive treble. However, the focus on bass can drown out the other end. I’ve tried adjusting the equalizer, but it made too little difference to elevate the experience for audiophiles.

Additionally, the soundstage feels more centered than immersive. This pair isn’t what I’d pick for long listening sessions. Then again, this wasn’t made for that. This shines more brightly for gamers.

With THX Spatial Audio, these headphones feel more alive during FPS gaming sessions. Another audio enhancement can amplify footsteps, too. The audio adjustment feels weird at first, but it does give a competitive edge for shooters. It’s also compatible with a few other games, including Civilization VII, which gave a pleasant auditory experience.

A much better mic than I expected

The BlackShark V3 Pro comes with a detachable microphone you can snap on to the 3.55mm port. As a pro gaming peripheral, the attachment is expected but not even necessary for a headset of this caliber already.

It’s a fairly decent, well-thought-of accessory. The audio input was, according to people I played with, clear for in-game comms.

Even better, the Razer Synapse app comes with its own equalizer just for the mic. If you need more control over how you want your voice to be broadcast, these headphones give a surprising level of customization. Being easily accessible through the app is a huge plus, too.

In terms of quality, I might still default to a dedicated external mic. However, if you don’t have one, Razer’s premium pair is a great alternative.

Battery good enough for almost two weeks

Razer promises that the BlackShark V3 Pro can last around 70 hours on a single charge. This is a fairly accurate prediction which aligned with how I used the headphones.

As I mentioned, I can withstand around five hours straight of using the headphones. By the end of the first week, I still had a lot of juice. And if I didn’t push it to my absolute limit, I could make this last even longer than two weeks.

Ultimately, the battery’s life depends on how you use the headphones, which differ greatly from person to person. And, at the end of the day, I had no problems with keeping the headphones connected to the long and braided wire.

Is the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro your GadgetMatch?

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is one of the most comfortable pair of headphones I’ve ever tried. It’s also a premium gaming peripheral that reflects its price point well at US$ 249.99.

Sure, you won’t get a pair of headphones worthy for an audiophile, which makes this a Swipe Left if you are. But as a gamer, these are more than what you need, which makes it a hardy Swipe Right.

As someone who’s both, I’d still give this a Swipe Right. My audiophile side already has a more balanced alternatives, after all. But the BlackShark V3 Pro is excellent as a tough-as-nails daily driver.