By Alex Martinet
GamerLive.TV (MCT)
Back in 2010, Activision was publishing "True Crime: Hong Kong" and after two years of development, the project was canceled. Saved from the ashes, Square Enix swooped in to save the title, renaming it "Sleeping Dogs." The kung fu martial arts open world sandbox game does many things right, but its stumbles hurt the game's core ideas. Did Activision commit a True Crime?
Gameplay in "Sleeping Dogs" is inspired by Ubisoft's "Assassins Creed" and Rocksteady's "Batman: Arkham Asylum." United Front has taken the freeflow combat approach in both games and has made a violent recreation of martial arts. Counterattacks are often how you set up potential combos and the result is thrilling. To top things off, the game has finishing moves, which you can activate during a fight. Burning a poor soul alive, dumping a car engine and (my favorite) shoving an enemy into a refrigerator and using the door to finish him. These are all environmental, so you will find new ones the more you progress throughout the story.
Probably the most shocking aspect about "Sleeping Dogs" is the gunplay. It was nearly seven to eight hours until I was handed a gun, until then it was a modern, open-world sandbox game without guns. Even though there is gunplay, shooting feels loose and clunky. It usually takes five to six shots to kill one enemy, while you're in cover. You can also slow down time, but before you know it you will be returning to Wei Shen's deep unarmed combat.
The main story is an appetizer of big action set pieces from start to finish. You play as Wei Shen, an undercover cop who is tasked with infiltrating Hong Kong's Triad criminal organization. Shen's story will be familiar to those who have played a story revolving around an undercover cop. As Shen rises to the top of organization, he starts to become the thing he sought to dismantle. It's a compelling storyline, but it's also one of the biggest disappointments about the game.
During cutscenes the controller is taken out of your hands, creating a linear storyline. Unlike the sandbox, players aren't allowed to create their own story and the experience comes off as fake. It's missing that crucial ingredient and never takes advantage of the themes presented, and that is a shame.
The game uses both English and Chinese languages to enhance Wei Shen and supporting characters. Like most narratives in stories in video games, characters will talk in English like usual, but in mid-sentence characters will show their displeasure in Chinese. It seems a little bit odd the first time you hear it, but after awhile the voice acting adds to the realism of the setting.
The graphics are . . . well, let's just say they are good but aren't going to impress. From start to finish, I encountered little or no problems with "Sleeping Dogs." Some textures needed an extra second to load, and due to the amount of content the game is presenting, that is understandable.
After you get past the tutorial, the game opens up like Rockstar's "Grand Theft Auto's" sandbox formula. You are free to drive around and explore what the city has to offer. If you're bored doing story missions, side mission is a quick way to spend countless hours in Honk Kong. Wei can arrange drug busts via security cameras, participate in street races or rob armored security vehicles. Each side mission will consist of incentives that will upgrade your character.
Honk Kong has never been brought to life in video games like this. Large in scope, the game offers you plenty of things to do. Side missions unlock upgrades in your two-skill trees, Cops and Triad. The game gives the player numerous ways to progress his character. From buying luxurious sports cars, to prevailing over small gangs in skirmishes and by completing story missions, there are plenty of ways to customize Wei Shen to your liking.
Driving around the city is a great thrill. Members from Playstation's "ModNation Racers" helped carve a rich arcade driving experience in "Sleeping Dogs." Driving around Hong Kong is an engaging experience because of the way the camera is positioned. The camera is floating as it shifts left to right or whatever direction you turn. This makes individual cars and motorcycles stand out in their own way.
"Sleeping Dogs" is a perfect escape for those who are trophy and achievement hunters. After you complete the main storyline you're about 85 percent done with the game, but there still are more things to do in Hong Kong. It will honestly take you nearly 30 hours to 100 percent this open world sandbox giant. Needless to say, you are going to get your money's worth.
United Front did a great job debuting a new AAA property into the industry. "Sleeping Dogs" is just different enough that it's able form an identity of its own. I only wish the story line was branched out more and allowed player flexibility. "GTA" and "Saints Row," you're on watch.
Alex Martinet has been working in the industry for a year. He has worked for Player Affinity and The Gamer Studio. He is currently attending Gavilan College and majoring in journalism. Follow him on twitter at http://twitter.com/LightForceJedi
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