What Are Side Hustles in Saints Row?: Santo Ileso Exploration

Discover what Side Hustles are in Saints Row (2022) and how they work. Learn about different types like @TCHA, Riding Shotgun, Pony Express, and more to earn cash and XP.

Alright, so you're diving into Saints Row (2022) and wondering about all those little blue diamonds on your map? Those are Side Hustles, and they're basically the new 'Activities' from the older games. Think of them as mini-games scattered all over Santo Ileso. Unlike Ventures, which are about building your empire, Side Hustles are more about quick cash, XP, and sometimes even cool cosmetic unlocks like weapon skins or vehicle patterns. Completing one for the first time unlocks more of that type, and new ones pop up as you progress through the main story. They're a great way to keep the action going and earn some extra goodies!

The cool thing is, these Side Hustles are pretty varied and focus on different aspects of the gameplay. Here’s a rundown of some common types you’ll run into:

• @TCHA: This one's a bit cheeky. You head to a store and leave a bad review. The worse the review, the more enemies the store's protecting gang sends your way. It's basically a controlled combat encounter where you get to gun down waves of enemies without much fuss.
• Riding Shotgun: Here, you're in the passenger seat, protecting a vehicle. Sometimes your weapon might change, but you'll often have unlimited ammo for whatever you're given. It’s solid practice for when you're doing your own drive-bys later.
• Pony Express: Get ready to race! You'll need to deliver something across Santo Ileso within a time limit. The route is up to you, so pick wisely to make good time.
• Wingsuit Saboteur: This is a high-flying one. You'll jump out of a helicopter with a wingsuit, glide to targets, and blow up satellite dishes before time runs out. You usually have enough explosives, but you've gotta be smart about your route, deal with any guards, and move fast.
• Choplifting: If you like flying choppers, this is for you. You'll need to grab a target with a magnetic winch and fly it to a drop-off point. There are often timed sections, so keep an eye on the clock.

As you can see, Side Hustles are pretty diverse and really let you practice specific gameplay mechanics. The best part? Most of them are repeatable! This makes them perfect for grinding out those Challenges, meeting requirements for weapon upgrades, or just leveling up if you've got your eye on a particular Skill. They give you a good chunk of cash and XP, so don't sleep on them if you need to boost your stats.

Keep an eye out for Bonus Objectives too! For example, in Pony Express, you might get extra cash for doing cool stuff like getting air time or finishing with time to spare. In Riding Shotgun, you could earn more for taking out enemy drivers or shooting out tires. These bonuses don't seem to be required to finish the hustle, but they definitely add to your rewards, so go for them if you can!