The worst thing about both of those is that they felt like half-baked DLCs for 3 more than anything, and gat outta hell in particular just hit a wall where they clearly ran out of time and/or funding.

Agreed!

Saint's Row 4 felt very much like an expansion pack of a game rather than a sequel. It brought absolutely nothing new to the series. I don't mean than in a salty way, it was fun, but it was nothing but more saints row 3. It was basically "saints row 3 - director's cut" or "Saints Row 3+" . Something bigger than a DLC, but something less than an another fully featured entry into the series. I remember my friend saying that "Saints Row 4 plays like a video game pitch", which I think is sadly an accurate way to describe it.

Gat outta Hell let like a bit a rough draft of a love letter and a fun goodbye from the developers. It just felt like they had a good time making it and gave them a chance to have one more romp through the Saints Row world, but not felt like a fully realized farewell. The voice cast seemed to have fun, and the game itself seem sincere (as much as a Saints Row game can) but it totally runs out of steam by the time you meet Jezebel.

Saints Row are meant to be dumb escapism and fun which I believe they succeed at on several levels. Can't beat the rich customization options, and crudely charming world. However, I was felt always like they could have been a bit more if they tried. Like a slacker student, making fart jokes and smoking weed but shows actual high aptitude at times.