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Home Equity Line of Credit: HELOC Rates for September 2022

Home Equity Line of Credit: HELOC Rates for September 2022

A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, is a loan that allows you to borrow against the equity you've built up in your home and functions like a credit card. It provides an open line of credit that you can access for a certain amount of time (usually 10 years). During that time, you're only required to pay back the interest on money you've withdrawn, which means you can borrow a large amount of money for an extended period of time while only making minimum monthly payments.

HELOCs can be a good option because they have lower rates than most credit cards, personal loans, home equity loans and mortgage refinances. But HELOCs are also risky because they're secured loans, which require collateral to obtain financing: Your home serves as the collateral, so if you're unable to pay back the money you've withdrawn, you could lose your house. In addition, HELOCs have variable interest rates that mean your rate can go up or down with the market, so you won't always have a predictable monthly payment.

We'll walk you through how a HELOC works, how to decide if it's the right option for you and how it stacks up against other loan types.

Current HELOC rate trends

Right now, the average interest rate for a HELOC is 6.5%, according to Bankrate, which is owned by the same parent company as CNET. Anything below the average rate is typically considered a good rate for HELOCs. 

Interest rates for HELOCs are variable and largely determined by the benchmark interest rate, which is set by the Federal Reserve. So far this year, the Fed has raised the benchmark interest rate four times and has signaled it will continue raising rates throughout 2022. Interest rates for HELOCs tend to be lower than mortgage rates and other home equity loan rates, which is one of the benefits. They also usually have introductory periods during which they offer an even lower rate for a certain amount of time. 

What is a HELOC?

A HELOC is a home loan that allows you to tap into your home's equity over an extended period of time. You can find out how much equity you have in your home by subtracting your remaining mortgage balance from the house's current market value. So if your house is worth $500,000 and you have $300,000 left to pay off on your mortgage, you would have $200,000 in equity. Typically you can borrow up to 85% of your equity — in this case, that's $170,000.

A HELOC functions as a revolving line of credit that you can continually access. The time period when you can draw money from your line of credit is called the draw period, and it's usually 10 years for HELOCs. This could be a good option if you need access to money, but aren't sure how much you'll need (or when you'll need it). HELOCs also tend to have lower interest rates than other types of home loans or personal loans.

If you need cash for home improvements or to pay higher education costs like tuition, a HELOC can be beneficial because you can repeatedly withdraw money over the course of your loan term. Plus, you only have to pay interest on the money that you withdraw. So, if you're approved for a HELOC of $100,000 and only withdraw $25,000, you'll only pay interest on the $25,000. 

How do HELOCs work?

Since HELOCs work like a line of credit, during the draw period you can take out money as many times as you need via check or a debit card, as long as it's below your total HELOC loan amount. You must also make minimal monthly payments, typically just for the interest that accrues during the draw period. As you repay your HELOC, this money is added back to your revolving balance (so you can continue to withdraw funds).

Once the draw period comes to an end you enter the repayment period, which usually lasts between 10 to 20 years. At this point, you cannot take more money out of your HELOC. Once you're in the repayment period, your monthly payments will go up because you must start paying back the principal (the amount you withdrew) in addition to the accrued interest.

Pros of a HELOC

• Lower interest rates: HELOCs typically have lower interest rates than other home equity loans, personal loans or credit cards. 
• Long draw and repayment periods: Most HELOCs let you withdraw money for as long as 10 years, and then offer an even longer repayment period (usually up to 20 years).
  
• You can take the money in installments: You don't have to use all of the money available at once, and you only have to pay interest on the funds you withdraw.
  

Cons of a HELOC

• You have to use your own home as collateral: If you default on a HELOC or can't make your payments, you could lose your home. When you put a house up as collateral and cannot repay your loan, the bank or lender can foreclose on your home, which means they can take ownership of your house in order to make up for the money they lost. 
• They have variable interest rates: Your initial interest rate may be low, but HELOC rates are variable and not fixed. This means they can fluctuate depending on what's happening with the economy and the benchmark interest rate. This means your monthly payments are not predictable and can fluctuate over the course of the loan. While there are fixed-rate HELOCs, they are less common and are considered a hybrid between a HELOC and a home equity loan.
  
• There may be minimum withdrawal amounts: Some HELOCs have minimal initial withdrawal amounts, which could lead you to taking out more money than planned (and having to pay back more than planned).
  

HELOCs vs. home equity loans

HELOCs and home equity loans both allow you to borrow against the equity you've built up in a home. With both, you take out a second home loan in addition to your mortgage. Your home is also used as collateral to secure either type of loan. A home equity loan, however, offers a lump sum of cash that you pay back in fixed monthly installments. A HELOC, on the other hand, approves you for a set loan amount and then allows you to withdraw only what you need, when you need it.

A HELOC has a variable interest rate, whereas home equity loans are fixed-rate loans. This means, you'll have a more predictable monthly payment with a home equity loan. HELOCs are much more flexible, but your monthly payments can be more unpredictable since your interest rate can fluctuate. With a HELOC, you need to make sure you can afford your monthly interest payments if your rate shoots up.

A HELOC is better if

• You need access to credit for an extended period of time (usually 10 years)
• You need more time to repay the loan amount
  
• You want the flexibility to withdraw your money in installments and not all at once
  

A home equity loan is better if

• You want a fixed interest rate
• You want a predictable monthly repayment schedule
  
• You want one lump sum of cash and know exactly how much money you need

HELOCs vs. cash-out refinances

A cash-out refinance is a different type of loan than a HELOC: You are quite literally cashing out the equity you've built up in your home over the years. It replaces your current mortgage with a new mortgage equal to your home's value, and allows you to cash out the amount you've built in equity. If your home is valued at $300,000 and you still owe $100,000 on a mortgage, the difference of $200,000 is your home equity. Lenders often let you cash out 80% of your equity ($140,000 in this case).

With a HELOC, you're also cashing out your equity, but you are taking out an additional loan alongside your current mortgage. So, you will have to make your monthly mortgage payments in addition to repaying your HELOC each month. With a cash-out refinance, you are only responsible for your mortgage payment every month. However, your mortgage payment will be more expensive because you added more money onto your mortgage when you cashed out your equity.

A cash-out refinance offers you this equity in a lump sum, whereas a HELOC lets you draw on your equity in installments and offers a yearslong line of credit.

A HELOC is better if

• You need access to credit for an extended period of time (usually 10 years)
• You need a longer loan repayment period
  
• You want to the flexibility to withdraw your money in installments
  

A cash-out refinance is better if

• You want to refinance your mortgage to a lower interest rate or shorter term
• You want one one lump sum of cash and know the amount
  
• You want one fixed monthly mortgage payment
  

FAQs

What is a good HELOC rate?

Anything below the average rate is typically considered a good rate for HELOCs. Currently, the average interest rate for a HELOC is 6.5%, according to Bankrate. 

How do I qualify for a HELOC?

To qualify for a HELOC, you must have good credit, at least 15% to 20% equity in your home and a debt-to-income ratio that does not exceed 43%. (Your debt-to-income ratio is your total monthly debts divided by your gross monthly income.) So, if you make $4,000 a month before taxes and pay $1,500 in debts each month, your DTI would equal 37.5%. The lower your DTI, the better your approval chances.

If you have good or excellent credit, you could lock in a lower HELOC rate closer to 3% to 5%. If you have below average credit expect to pay rates closer to 9% to 10%. Lenders usually want to see at least a 620 credit score or higher. You can be denied for a HELOC if you don't have a high enough credit score or income. You can also be denied if you don't have enough equity built up in your home. Most lenders require at least 15% to 20%. 

What can I use a HELOC for?

You can use your line of credit for almost anything, but HELOCs are typically best for people who need access to available credit over a long period of time or who will be making recurring withdrawals. For example, HELOCs are good for home improvement projects that could potentially take years or higher education expenses like tuition.

How do I apply for a HELOC?

You have to be approved for a HELOC by a bank or lender just like with your mortgage. You will need to provide financial documents like pay stubs and information about your home's value, like your loan-to-value ratio. Lenders will also run a credit check before approving you. 

In some cases, you may need to have your home appraised to confirm its current market value. It's important to interview multiple lenders to compare rates and fees in order to find one who will give you the best rates. Some experts recommend starting with the bank or lender that already holds your mortgage, but shopping around can help you compare offers. 

More mortgage tools and resources

You can use CNET's mortgage calculator to help you determine how much house you can afford. The CNET mortgage calculator factors in variables like the size of your down payment, home price and interest rate to help you figure out how large of mortgage you may be able to afford. Using the CNET mortgage calculator can help you understand how much of a difference even a slight increase in rates can make in how much interest you'll pay over the lifetime of your loan.

Compare mortgage rates:

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This is how die-hard 'Star Wars' fans do parenting

This is how die-hard 'Star Wars' fans do parenting

This is how you tell your kids about the prequels. You don't! Fowl Language Comics

When it comes to teaching kids about "Star Wars," cartoonist Brian Gordon knows exactly what to do. Gordon runs the online comic strip Fowl Language, which is largely inspired by his love of all things geek and his experiences as a parent.

In Monday's comic, Gordon perfectly demonstrates how to introduce any child to "Star Wars," and of course it involves starting with the original trilogy. After the second Death Star is destroyed at the end of "Return of the Jedi," your child will likely ask you if there are more awesome "Star Wars" movies you can watch together. The only correct answer to this question is, of course, an emphatic "no!"

And, in case that lesson in "Star Wars" parenting isn't enough, Gordon added a bonus panel that tells you what to do if your child ever asks you about Jar Jar Binks.

Jar Jar is a dirty word in this house, mister. Go put a quarter in the swear jar. Fowl Language Comics

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Samsung galaxy watch 5 pro samsung galaxy watch 5 price galaxy watch 5 pro release date compare samsung galaxy watch 5 and 5 pro samsung watch 5 pro specs compare samsung galaxy watch 5 and 5 pro samsung galaxy watch 5 vs galaxy watch 5 pro samsung galaxy watch 5 lte samsung galaxy a03s samsung galaxy s9 samsung galaxy s10

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro Deals: Trade-In Discounts, Gift Cards and More

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro Deals: Trade-In Discounts, Gift Cards and More

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro are now available to order and there are some neat Galaxy Watch 5 deals to coincide with the devices' joint launch. 

There isn't much of a design change from the Galaxy Watch 4 but the new smartwatches do have a longer-lasting battery and a skin temperature measurement sensor as a new health feature. The bigger Watch 5 Pro in particular is geared toward outdoor sports enthusiasts and features a durable titanium design, 80-hour battery life and exclusive tools like turn-by-turn navigation.

The two new Samsung smartwatches are now available to order.

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

What colors do the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro come in?

The Galaxy Watch 5 is offered in four colors: silver, gray, gold and blue. Gold is exclusive to the smaller 40mm size and blue is only available on the larger 44mm variant. On the Pro side, you can choose between two titanium finishes: black and gray. There are plenty of interchangeable bands for both versions of the Galaxy Watch 5 if you want to customize the look further. 

How much do the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro cost?

The Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-only Galaxy Watch 5 starts at $280, while the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro starts at $450. If you want the LTE versions, that'll cost you $50 more. Here's how US retail pricing breaks down in full:

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 (40mm): $280
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 (44mm): $310
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 with LTE (40mm): $330
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 with LTE (44mm): $360
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro (44mm): $450
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro with LTE (44mm): $500

Be sure to check out all the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro deals below for some ways to save on their retail prices.

Best Galaxy Watch 5 deals

Samsung is offering as much as $165 off Galaxy Watch 5 when you trade in your old Galaxy smartwatch and as much as $180 if you trade in an Apple Watch. Additional bundle savings are available for those nabbing a Galaxy Watch 5 alongside one of Samsung's newly announced foldable phones or Galaxy Buds 2 Pro earbuds.

Buy a Galaxy Watch 5 at AT&T and you can get another one free with up to $430 in bill credits over 36 months. To be eligible, you'll need to purchase two eligible Samsung Galaxy Watches on a qualifying installment agreement, add at least one new line, and activate both watches on your wireless plan. AT&T is also offering up to $170 off when you trade in your old smartwatch.

Best Galaxy Watch 5 Pro deals

Samsung is offering as much as $240 off Galaxy Watch 5 Pro when you trade in your old Galaxy smartwatch. If you are also ordering one of Samsung's newly announced foldable phones or the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro earbuds, you'll receive some further bundle savings.

Galaxy Watch 5 Pro orders placed at Amazon will get Samsung's Wireless Duo Charger thrown in for free. Simply add both products to your cart to activate the savings.

The Pro model gets the same deal as its standard Galaxy Watch 5 counterpart with up to $180 off when you trade in an eligible smartwatch. You can also save up to $150 when bundled with an eligible Android smartphone purchase.

Buy two Galaxy Watch 5 Pro models at AT&T and save up to $430 via bill credits over 36 months. That's not quite enough free credit to get you a second Galaxy Watch 5 Pro for free since the LTE model costs $500, but it's close. You'll need to purchase both eligible Samsung Galaxy Watches on a qualifying installment agreement, add at least one new line, and activate both watches on your wireless plan. You can trade in your old smartwatch for up to $200 off, too. 

More from Samsung Unpacked

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'Tsunami' Trojan malware bot ported to OS X

'Tsunami' Trojan malware bot ported to OS X

Another day, another Trojan. The malware bot called "Tsunami" that has been developed for Linux systems since around 2002 has been found on OS X.

The malware (OSX/Tsunami.A) is a minimal threat, and like other Trojans and backdoors for OS X requires you to manually install it. While it is almost irrelevant to most users, it is out there and has the potential to cause harm for some.

The malware is an IRC bot, which is a program that connects to Internet Relay Chat (IRC) network servers and channels, where it can be controlled as a client for distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on targeted systems and networks. In addition it has the capability to both download files to an infected system and run shell commands (terminal commands) on it.

The current OS X variants of this malware appear not to work and may be in testing phases.

IRC bots are common programs used for numerous legitimate activities on IRC servers, but as with other well-intentioned routines, there is the potential for these bots to be developed and used for malicious activities.

Malware detection group ESET is claiming that so far there are two variants of this malware that connect to different IRC servers and channels. Both variants require someone to manually open the installer file, which then performs the following actions:

1. It installs the malware in the /usr/sbin/ directory.
   The malware is cleverly disguised as a command-line tool called "logind" that may appear to be important to the system. In OS X various background programs are called daemons and end with a "d" in their name to denote this. The malware both attempts to emulate this, and also places it in a hidden system directory (/usr/sbin) where other background services reside so it may blend in.

   OS X does have a background tool that is called "logind" but this resides in the /System/Library/CoreServices/ directory and not in the /usr/sbin/ directory.



2. It modifies a system launch daemon.
   The real OS X logind process (the one in the system's CoreServices directory) is managed by a system launch daemon called "com.apple.logind.plist" located in the /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ directory, but when the Tsunami malware is installed, it replaces the contents of this launch daemon file with code that automatically launches the malware at startup and keeps it running on the system.

The correct version of this property list file should read as the following:

A healthy version of the OS X logind property list should look like this (click for larger view). Screenshot by Topher Kessler

If the malware is installed on the system, the contents of this file will be replaced and you will instead see the following:

On an infected system, the logind property list will look like this (click for larger view). Screenshot by Topher Kessler

As with other Trojan horses, this malware is a minimal threat, and also should be caught if you have a tool installed like Little Snitch, which will detect when programs and background services try to contact servers on the Internet. If you have Little Snitch installed and see an attempt by a process try to contact the servers "pingu.anonops.li" or "x.lisp.su"--or, for that matter, or any other server, especially if it is using the port 6667 (a port commonly used for distributing malware via IRC connections)--then deny it access and check to see if the malware is installed.

To see if the malware is installed on your system, go to the /Macintosh HD/System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ directory and open the file called "com.apple.logind.plist." Compare it with the screenshots above, and if it looks like the second one, then replace its contents with what's shown in the first screenshot. Since this file is in a system directory, you may need a tool like TextWrangler to be able to authenticate properly and edit the file.

In addition to reverting the changed launch daemon file, check to see if the rogue logind process has been installed on your system. In the Finder, choose "Go to Folder" from the Go menu and then enter "/usr/sbin" in the text field. The Finder should open the hidden system directory, in which you can search for and remove the file called "logind" if it is present. When you remove it, the system will ask you for an administrator password, so provide it and then delete the file.

If you locate this file in the /usr/sbin/ directory, remove it (click for larger view). Screenshot by Topher Kessler

Beyond manually removing the malware, since the Mac version of Tsunami was found on October 25 various malware definitions, including those from F-Secure and Intego, have been updated to detect and remove this malware from systems, so be sure to keep your computer's antivirus definitions updated.

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Questions? Comments? Have a fix? Post them below or e-mail us!
Be sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums.

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TikTok Wants to Remind You to Take Breaks From the App

TikTok Wants to Remind You to Take Breaks From the App

What's happening

TikTok is releasing more tools in the coming weeks to enable people to limit screen time.

Why it matters

It's another example of how social media companies are responding to criticism that their apps have harmful mental health impacts, especially on young people.

TikTok users who spend too much time mindlessly scrolling through the app's short-form videos will soon have another way to limit their screen time.

TikTok said in a blog post Thursday that it's releasing a new tool in the coming weeks that'll enable you to schedule reminders to take a break from the app after a certain amount of time. TikTok currently has a tool that can prompt you to enter a passcode if you've spent 40, 60, 90 or 120 minutes on the app. The new screen-time tool includes an option to set reminders for whatever amount of time you choose such as 10 or 20 minutes. TikTok also said it will also remind users between the ages of 13 and 17 about the screen-time tool if they use the app for more than 100 minutes in a single day.

TikTok does allow users under 13 years old to use the app, but their experience is limited so they don't have access to certain features such as sharing and commenting on videos or maintaining a profile or followers. The company didn't respond to questions about how screen breaks apply to users under 13. 

TikTok will let you schedule breaks from the app.

TikTok

In addition, TikTok is releasing a screen time dashboard that will give you a sense of how much time you're spending scrolling through videos. The dashboard includes data about daily time spent on the app, the number of times you open TikTok and how much you use the app during the daytime versus the night time. TikTok also published a new mental well-being guide in its Safety Center that includes tips about how to respond to friends and family who are struggling with their mental health. 

"Having a positive relationship with digital devices and apps isn't just about measuring screen time," Jordan Furlong, product manager for digital well-being at TikTok, said in the blog post. "It's also about feeling in control of how we use technology and ensuring that the time we spend online contributes positively to our sense of well-being."

The release of new tools that encourage screen time limits is another example of how social media companies are responding to criticism that their apps are harming people's mental health, especially teenagers. In March, a group of state attorneys general said it was investigating how TikTok harms young users and what the company knew about those harms.

Last year, The Wall Street Journal published an investigation that showed how TikTok's algorithm can send users down a rabbit hole of content by using data such as how long users linger on a video. That can be problematic if the app continues to show sad videos to someone who is depressed or pushes more extremist content to conspiracy theorists. 

The potential negative mental health impacts of social media on users have been an ongoing discussion for many years. Concerns about this issue, though, reached new heights after Frances Haugen, a former Facebook product manager turned whistleblower, leaked documents, including one that showed how Instagram can make teenage girls feel worse about their bodies. Facebook, now Meta, said that its research was mischaracterized and that Instagram can also help teenagers connect to their family and friends. 

US lawmakers have held a series of hearings related to the topic and heard testimony from various social media companies including TikTok that say they're taking the mental health of their users seriously.

Social media apps have been trying to give people more control over how they use the platform. In 2018, Facebook and its photo-and-video service Instagram released tools to limit time spent on the app. Instagram also unveiled new parental controls in March. 

In 2020, TikTok released parental controls that allow parents to limit the amount of time their children spent on the app. It's unclear whether these tools have been working or are widely used among TikTok's more than 1 billion users. TikTok hasn't released data about how many people use daily screen time limits. 

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Is the US Developing a Digital Dollar? This Week's Top Bitcoin & Crypto News

Is the US Developing a Digital Dollar? This Week's Top Bitcoin & Crypto News

Welcome to Nonfungible Tidbits, a weekly roundup of news in crypto, NFTs and their related realms.

Our lead story this week is the possibility of a US Central Bank Digital Currency or 'digital dollar.' We'll also cover the million-dollar NFT of a cartoon rock that accidentally sold for less than a penny and declining Google searches for NFTs.

Stay tuned for more next week.

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US considering centralized cryptocurrency

Lance Nelson/The Image Bank/Getty Images

Biden signed an executive order last week directing various federal agencies to come up with policy recommendations on cryptocurrency. The order included a call to explore a US Central Bank Digital Currency, a type of cryptocurrency controlled by the government. Part of Biden's strategy includes ensuring any US CBDC is inline with the country's priorities and democratic values, according to the order's fact sheet. 

The Federal Reserve has been researching CBDCs for a while now. In January, the Fed released a report that delves into what a CBDC could look like in the US. Countries across the globe, including Australia, China and Brazil, are also working on CBDCs of their own.

Read CNET's full story on a potential US Central Bank Digital Currency.

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Owner of $1 million rock NFT accidentally sells it for less than a penny

Sarah Tew/CNET

There's an NFT collection called EtherRock that contains NFTs of clipart rocks, each one a slightly different color. Last year, an EtherRock NFT sold for 400 ether, or about $1.3 million at the time. Earlier this month the owner of an EtherRock NFT accidentally listed the NFT for sale for 444 wei instead of 444 ether. Wei is the smallest denomination of ether, like pennies are to dollars, with one ether containing 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 wei. This means the owner of the EtherRock NFT sold an NFT potentially worth over a million dollars for less than a penny. People are now using bots to give them an edge when buying NFTs, and a bot snapped it up immediately after it was listed. 

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Google searches for NFTs are falling fast

Searches for NFTs on Google plunged over the first few months of 2022, according to a recent report from Statista based on Google Trends data. Google searches for NFTs rose in December 2021 and reached a high point in January 2022. Since then, there's been a sharp drop-off. Currently, Google Trends shows only one-third of the search volume for NFTs as January's. 

Despite what appears to be declining interest in NFTs from Google Search users, Meta (Facebook) Founder Mark Zuckerberg said NFTs are coming to Instagram during a talk he gave at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. 

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Thanks for reading. We'll be back with plenty more next week. In the meantime, I encourage you to read this feature on how cryptocurrency and NFTs are funding Ukraine's resistance against Russia by Roger Cheng. Roger also recorded an interview series with Alex Bornyakov, deputy minister of digital transformation for Ukraine, which you can find embedded in the story.

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Saints Row Reboot Is an Unremarkable Hot Mess

Saints Row Reboot Is an Unremarkable Hot Mess

Saints Row always lived in the shadow of the mighty Grand Theft Auto, and the 2022 reboot of the franchise won't help the open-world crime game escape that image. This entry, which hit PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC on Aug. 23, tries to give the Saints a new lease on life, but it just falls flat on its face.

The new characters, settings and other changes don't have the effect developer Volition might've been hoping for. Instead, we're given an unremarkable experience with plenty of glitches thrown on top.

Saints Row takes place in Santo Ileso, a fictional city loosely based on Las Vegas. Players start on the desolated outskirts of the city and step into the role of "The Boss," the leader of a group of friends who have ties to the city's other criminal organizations. They quit those groups and form the Saints. 

Like in previous games, players have to build their own criminal empire, starting with tasks like dealing drugs from food trucks, stealing cars and disposing of toxic waste. As the game progresses, The Boss and his crew take the fight to the other criminal orgs, including the Los Panteros street gang, the Idols -- who answer the question, What if Burning Man started its own mafia? -- and private military corporation Marshall Defense Industries. 

Sound exciting? Well, it's not. 

The Boss and his crew -- Eli, the nerd who wants to make money; Neenah, the getaway driver; and Kevin, who DJs while never wearing a shirt -- come off as homicidal social media influencers. That's been the tone of the franchise's characters since 2011's Saints Row 3, and it feels played out now. I couldn't help but roll my eyes when the characters constantly portrayed themselves as amazing killers who need to let their social media followers know they're about to gun down a gang of criminals. It didn't take long for me to stop caring about the characters, even during missions clearly designed to make them more compelling, like Neenah's quests revolving around a car she's been restoring. 

A wingsuit gives you a way to quickly travel around Santo Ileso.

Volition/Deep Silver

As for the gameplay and storyline, Saints Row is about as average as it gets. Missions have the sense of wackiness the series is known for, like destroying a rave campground with a car that's dragging around a portable toilet with a person inside. Unfortunately, none of this feels new -- it just reminds me of back in the '00s when every game company was trying to make its own GTA clone with shooting and driving mechanics in an open world. What I wanted was something interesting and refreshing, and I couldn't find a lot of that with this reboot. 

I will say that the unlockable skills were the element that did feel "new." The Boss levels up and gains violent special moves, from shoving a grenade into an enemy's pants and then flinging them into a group of enemies, to throwing a flaming punch that does significant damage. These skills add a bit of spice to the otherwise bland gun-toting action. 

What really ruined my experience were the interruptions to the game's flow. 

I played the game on my Xbox Series X, which is designed to have little to no loading times with its SSD drive, and there were still loading screens right in the middle of missions. They occurred at pivotal moments, like a Boss enemy showing up or going from a shooting sequence to a driving segment. It was jarring and took me out of the excitement. It may seem like not a big deal, but when this happens multiple times in one mission, it becomes increasingly frustrating. 

The game's physics contributed to the problem as well. During chases in a mission, I like to give enemy vehicles a nudge into oncoming traffic to create a fantastic crash. Instead, cars just rammed through other cars without a hint of resistance. I tested this lack of physics with a motorcycle and was able to push vehicles out of the way as if they were cardboard left in the street. 

Takedowns -- unique combat moves to knock out enemies in an elaborate and humorous fashion -- also made the game grind to a halt. When executed, The Boss goes through this several-second routine while enemies just stand and watch. Enemies, in general, will simply stand around on occasion as their AI seemingly doesn't kick in to get them to start fighting. 

Audio was another flow killer. The banter between the characters can sound normal at times, but at other moments in a mission, I could barely hear my companion even though The Boss' voice was loud and clear. Some missions also attempt a needle drop, where a certain song gets turned up to create this exciting moment, like in one instance where I was doing a prison break when the Vines' Get Free began playing. Thing is, for whatever reason, the track can cut completely during these moments, leaving me to finish the mission without any background music. 

There was also a wealth of glitches in the review build provided by Volition: Character animations regularly went out of sync, cars would literally bounce like a beach ball, my character would take random damage from exiting a vehicle, apps on the phone that acts as an in-game menu froze or refused to pull up. And that's just naming a few. The game crashed multiple times during play, for various reasons. Volition does have a Day 1 patch ready to go to fix many problems, but it's hard to say if it'll address everything.

As for how Saints Row looks? Also mediocre. Character models had no particularly unique or realistic details and reminded me of Fortnite characters. Saint Ileso didn't strike me as some visual spectacle, even though it's based on Las Vegas. The starting area is particularly desolate, but the parts of the city where the casinos are located don't offer much eye candy either. GTA 5, a game that's almost a decade old, had a much bigger world, with more interesting destinations and better fidelity. 

Saints Row simply doesn't do enough to set itself apart in an era when the genre is already tired. I could deal with just mediocre action, boring characters or subpar audio and visuals -- but not all three. Maybe die-hard Saints Row fans will find enough to chew on, but most players will likely give up in frustration long before they become the new crime boss of Santo Ileso.

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