Game Review: Sleeping Dogs

You are Wei Shen, an undercover cop in modern day Hong Kong. Your mission is to infiltrate the criminal underground, provide information to the Hong Kong Police Department and take down the gangs from the inside. The story starts with a small drugs operation which you play a role in. The operation is busted and you make a run for it. Straight away it is noticeable that there has been a considerable effort put into the game. The cut scenes transition smoothly into game-play and the game-play itself is fluid and easy to grasp. The drugs operation is busted and you end up in jail. There you meet a childhood friend, Jackie, who is now a gang member, and it's no coincidence that he's part of the gang you've been tasked to infiltrate. Your story is explained and you are let go by the police to contact Jackie to begin your introduction to the gang.

After the introduction you're sent out to do some menial tasks. As you'd expect the initial missions involve petty territory squabbles, protection money collection and chauffeur tasks. The combat system is very easy to pick up, you are able to counter enemies who are about to strike you (which you'll know because they glow bright red) and strike them back with a range of combos which become better as you progress up the ranks. There's not too much innovation here, think of the recent Batman games and you'll be along the right lines. Nevertheless it works very well in this style game. The driving holds the best and worst parts of the game. On the one hand it has an arcade-like feel which works well in the game and makes the overall experience fun and enjoyable. This is particularly noticeable when driving the motorbikes, which unlike other games in this genre handle well and don't send you flying at the first sign of a bump. That being said, there are issues with the camera angles, especially when trying to negotiate tight spots and turns, it wasn't enough to ruin the game but it was enough to cause a sigh of frustration every now and again.

The game itself is a third person style game very similar to the Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row type games but takes on a more serious note. Humour is sprinkled here and there but you really get a sense of the stresses faced by Wei Who is not only trying to gain respect amongst the gang and not blow his cover, but also receives pressure from his superior officers.

Throughout the game you attempt to gain respect with the gang you are infiltrating and also with the police. Balancing the role of an undercover cop sees you punished for the unnecessary destruction of property and in the same mission rewarded for the elimination of an enemy gang member. Knowing how to balance this becomes one of the more interesting parts of the game and you are rewarded with separate Police and Triad experience which in turn allows unlocks to separate upgrade systems. You'll also gain 'face' from the people of Hong Kong, who you can help out in various side missions. This way you'll unlock further passive upgrades which help you along the way.

THE VERDICT

Overall the game is easy to become immersed in, with the setting of Hong Kong being brought to life through realistic and believable voice acting, ambient sounds and decent graphics. The side missions and tasks are varied, fun, innovative and are a joy to play. This a game which is definitely worth your money and time. It will keep you busy for hours and you'll enjoy every second of it. Except for maybe the three point turns.

LHSRAting for Sleeping Dogs – 8.8/10 (Xbox 360)

-Simon

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