Sleeping dogs is one of those games that come along not so much break the mold. But to break it, kick its teeth in, and burn the remains. If you have not figured it out yet I really enjoyed this game.
The game takes new approach to the open world crime genre in gaming today. This is not GTA. It is not about committing crimes (so I am sure a certain law official can go a day without getting his panties in a knot) it is instead a mix of both crime and justice. You assume the roll of Wei Shen, and without spoiling anything, this seemingly two-dimensional Triad gangster becomes a complex character. He is actually an undercover police officer returned from America to his old neighbourhood to break up the Triad gangs. This is what I enjoyed so much about this game. The experience of being undercover is not one explored in gaming. You are either a terrible cop, or a heartless criminal. Sleeping dogs however rides the line between the two, with your actions earning you Triad, or Police points. The game itself is a reboot of the old True Crime series. However, this is not America and the game play reflects this.
Hey i'm Wei Shen, and this is 'Hong Kong driving'
The graphics themselves are simply superb. The opening scene was really just breath taking. It had all the grit and darkness cut against the neon lights of Hong Kong to achieve a sense of realism. The crowds in this game are another great feature. They are not the lifeless dolls that are found in other open world games, which exist purely for you to punch in the face. They inhabit the space. Early in the game you walk through a market, I lost track of my guide because I stopped to watch the AIs wander about.
Another interesting move was the combat. For starters, this is a game focused on hand-to-hand combat; guns do make an appearance later. However, this is not L.A. This is of course where we see the obligatory martial arts. What would a Chinese epic be without some kung fu? Boring that is what. This is also where that good cop bad cop comes into play. For example if you use brutal take downs, such as ramming an opponents face into an exhaust fan, you will quickly gain Triad points, whilst doing only what you have to, to neutralise your opponents gives you good cop points. What are these points for? You use them to unlock skills from their appropriate skill trees. This is another example of why I say this game expands the open world crime genre. I am personally hoping this leads to more rpg style elements leaking into other genres.
Chuck who?
About the only major gripe I have about this game is the driving. The first time I got a hold of a vehicle, I figured it was business as usual. I hit the handbrake and pulled the same turn I perform in all such games. Instead of that ‘I’m a badass’ turn I usually get. Instead my vehicle slid almost straight ahead and planted me into a building. I tried again, and got the same result. Whilst I am not a car expert, I believe this is called under steer. This might be the first game I have played that contains real physics in its driving and whilst another player I know complained about it, I actually liked it. It made the cars behave more realistically and did not degenerate into a fancy game of dodge ‘em cars. My advice is to just drive around and get a feel for it, the motto is ‘less is more’. Flooring the speed will only make you handle slower overall.
A simple trip to purchase some plain flour turns bad
When all is said and done Sleeping Dogs is a game that makes a nice break from GTA and rpg style gaming. The graphics and story telling reward your time investment in this game. It is a gritty ride into the double-edged sword that undercover cops have to ride backed up with solid, and varied, gameplay. Hell this game is worth it just for the karoke game.
