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

The Switch 2 is getting its first Joy-Con color variant

It’s not as showy as the first Switch’s Joy-Cons.

Published

January 9, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

When the Nintendo Switch 2 and its almost-all-black Joy-Cons launched, you might have wondered about how the dual controllers will rock other colors. After all, the original Switch’s ecosystem constantly tempted users with quirky color options. Because the Switch 2 uses a black shell, will future Joy-Cons look just as tempting? Now, we have our answer.

Today, Nintendo has announced its first color variant for the Switch 2 Joy-Con. We should have seen this coming, but the new variant will not have a completely redesigned shell. Instead, the controller will change the colors of the inner rails and the rings around the joysticks. This pair will rock light purple for the left Joy-Con and light green for the right one.

As you enjoy #MarioTennisFever, you’ll also have the opportunity to give your #NintendoSwitch2 a new look!

The first new colored Joy-Con 2 controllers—Light Purple and Light Green—also arrive Feb 12.

Pre-purchase now: https://t.co/xoK6jsePMp pic.twitter.com/JoE8r4oOQl

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 8, 2026

It’s a tad bit disappointing, especially when you’re comparing it to the previous model. It’s practically impossible to rep the new colors out in public because the inner rails are hidden by the Switch 2. It also doesn’t help that the console itself will still have its red and blue colors, clashing with the new variant.

That said, the Joy-Cons still look pretty cool when separated from the console. But it all depends on when the console gets more games that use only a single Joy-Con.

Thankfully, that’s coming soon. The color variant will launch alongside the upcoming Mario Tennis Fever, the perfect game for single Joy-Cons. Both will come out on February 12.

The new colors will sell for an eye-watering US$ 99.99.

CES 2026

Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept was possible thanks to TCL

Also responsible behind the foldable display of the new motorola razr fold

Published

January 8, 2026

Vincenz

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

At this year’s CES 2026 in Las Vegas, TCL CSOT (China Star Optoelectronics Technology) and Lenovo have further proved their long-term partnership. The newest Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept and the motorola razr fold are equipped with displays by TCL CSOT.

Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept

The continuous collaboration of the two mighty Chinese companies bring out something that has been envisioned in laptops for quite a while now.

Ever imagined of a conventional laptop with standard 16:9 display that can instantly stretch into a 21:9 widescreen monitor? Well, the Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept proves it’s more than possible.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Pioneering this partnership starts with TCL CSOT’s rollable display. Dubbed as the Lenovo PureSight OLED Gaming display. From a regular 16-inch 16:9 display, it completely transforms into an ultra-wide screen — stretching between 21.5 all the way to 24 inches.

For gamers and even e-sports athletes who seek visual flexibility (literally and figuratively), the display adapts to three (3) different training phases.

Focus Mode (16 inches) for honing reflexes
Tactical Mode (21.5 inches) for enhanced situational awareness
Arena Mode (24 inches) for full-scale competitive simulation

Behind that rollable display tech by TCL CSOT lies a dual-motor, tension-based system. This not only means that the rollable display can unroll smoothly, the expansion is not just controlled, its contraction also delivers minimal vibration and noise.

There’s also a dedicated tensioning mechanism that ensures consistent tautness across the OLED panel. Low-friction materials then secures durability throughout the rolling cycle.

motorola razr fold

Finally, after a long wait, motorola finally unveils their first ever book-style foldable.

The motorola razr fold headlines TCL CSOT’s 8.1-inch 2K LTPO flexible inner display. And unlike most foldable offerings in the market today, it supports a stylus!

When closed, its 6.6-inch external display delivers the familiarity of a candy-bar smartphone. Furthermore, its sleek, striking, and slim silhouette will feel comfortable in one’s hands.

Not much has been shared but more details will soon be unfolded by motorola.

The Co-Innovation Legacy

The steady legacy of TCL CSOT and Lenovo has already delivered consumer-ready products past the convention center show floor showcase.

Those include the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i with a flexible 4K OLED display unveiled at CES 2025. Even the motorola razr 60 series flip-style foldables launched last July 2025 was not missed.

And, with the introduction of the Legion Pro Rollable Concept and the motorola razr fold, both companies continue to turn advanced display research into practical, user-focused products — setting new standards for performance, comfort, and sustainability.

With past display innovations, these newer advancements offer a more immersive viewing experience, better eye comfort, and flexiblility across various user applications.

This continuous collaboration highlights the companies shared commitment to advancing display technology and elevating the visual experience for users worldwide.

TCL CSOT’s constant strive for innovation is mainly driven by their APEX values:

A-mazing Display Experience
P-rotective of Eye Health
E-co-Friendly to build and use; and
X-Unlimited Imaginative Potential

Jun Zhao, the Senior Vice President of TCL Technology and CEO of TCL CSOT, states that the company is dedicated in providing Lenovo high-quality displays and custom diplay solutions that turn advanced technology into something “We are dedicated to providing Lenovo with high-quality, custom display solutions that turn advanced technology into everyday excellence, and

He also says “they look forward to exploring new frontiers together.”

CES 2026

This Razer AI companion can tell you how much of a noob you are

The brand also unveiled an AI headset and an immersive gaming chair.

Published

January 7, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Whenever you’re playing a single-player game, do you miss the toxic banter of teammates telling you how bad you are? Sometimes, it feels impossible to play without another voice in your ear. For those moments, Razer reintroduced Project AVA, an AI desk companion designed to keep you company while gaming and for more.

Project AVA

Technically, Razer already introduced the AI companion during last year’s CES 2025. This year, however, the brand has added more functionalities to the upcoming product, turning the device from a mere esports coach into an actual companion.

Previously, the assistant can use your camera, eye-tracking, audio input, and the screen to tell you how to get better in your chosen game. Now, Razer has added the ability to help you with everyday tasks like organizing schedules and suggesting fits.

Additionally, users can choose between a variety of 5-inch animated holograms as avatars, such as Kira, Zane, and even Japan’s favorite salary woman SAO. Users can also pick personalities for them from sassy to friendly.

Since it’s still a concept, there’s no word on when Project AVA will be available as a finished product.

Project Motoko

Last month, we reviewed the BlackShark V3 Pro, one of the most comfortable gaming headsets we’ve tried. Not content with prioritizing comfort, Razer has now added AI to a headset.

Project Motoko showcases a headset that uses AI technology to anticipate your needs. Besides a flurry of microphones, the headset uses two cameras positioned at eye level to analyze your surroundings. Razer says it can even track how many reps you’ve done at the gym and summarize a document you’re looking at.

Because the software is specifically designed to detect your surroundings, it can reportedly heighten your senses and find things you might have missed from your peripheral vision. Additionally, it can heighten your hearing and amplify conversations and sounds you might find important.

Project Madison

To cap it all off, Razer also unveiled an immersive gaming chair. Project Madison is a chair that uses lighting, audio, and haptic feedback to deliver an immersive gaming experience.

First of all, the chair uses Razer’s iconic Chroma RGB to simulate your surroundings while playing a game. With 16.8 million colors, it makes you feel visually immersed in your game.

Secondly, the chair has THX Spatial Audio. On its own, the chair’s speakers can provide audio immersion. Further, if you pair it with front speakers, you can upgrade this to a 7.1 surround sound system.

Thirdly, Project Madison features Razer Sensa HD Haptics to deliver a tactile sensation that makes you feel every impact and explosion.