Sleeping Dogs

This year’s underdog may be a sleeping one. That’s right, you heard it here first. Sleeping Dogs stands as one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve had the pleasure of indulging in this year so far. It doesn’t quite manage to choose what side of the fence to join: GTA or Saints Row. Instead, it chose to burn the fence and dance around the fire inviting both sides to join the party proving that everybody can get along, unless you are a triad, they never get along well with others.

It might alarm you to hear that such an impressive and fun game was actually made to sleep in the dog house. Previously, the game had been intended to resurrect the True Crime franchise as True Crime: Hong Kong but due to high production values and a bad decision on Activision’s behalf the game was taken out back and shot like Ol’ Yeller, metaphorically speaking. Fortunately the game was picked up six months later. Square Enix adopted the lost pup and gave it a new home and name.

The story is based around Wei Shen, a police officer who has returned to Hong Kong to work undercover. Wei rises through the ranks of the Triads journeying further and further down the gangster rabbit hole. While being enveloped by the warring gangs Wei tries his best to remain an officer of the law and help out his fellow police officers. This leads him to playing a double agent in the gang acting on behalf of the law and against it. The story rings true as an homage to both old style martial arts movies and the more recent Infernal Affairs movies from Wai-keung Lau and Alan Mak. We may have seen this story a million times before but it is well executed and has its own twists and turns that grab you and encourage you to play on.

The story itself is emphasised by the rather large and extensively famous voice cast. There are roles played by Lucy Liu, Tom Wilkinson, Emma Stone and Robin Shou (Liu Kang from Mortal Kombat). All the actors bring the script to life and their charisma to the game. Furthermore there is a rather full and flavoursome soundtrack that can be heard over the radio, that could even rival Vice City in terms of variety. A personal favourite being Hudson Mohawke – Fuse. The live and energetic soundtrack really helps capture the busy nightlife and flashing lights that appear in Hong Kong during the game.

Graphically the game is pretty impressive. The neon glow from hanging lanterns and glistening water fronts feel realistic and provide subtle contrast to the war-torn streets as well as those who walk them. It is during the night time where you are left in awe at the setting and liveliness of passers by and cars as they race past. The cutscenes all look great as do the executions. There are several unique ways to kill your adversaries and none are more impressive than throwing one of the enemies, bloodied and dazed, into a pool of festering electric eels and watching them squirm.

Many of has have come to expect a very rigid formula in sandbox games and Sleeping Dogs checks everyone one of the boxes. There is a relatively large map, collectibles, side missions and a whole load of extras for fun. What is more impressive is the way all of these standard elements come together. They aren’t forced down your throat nor are they so dreadfully paced that you only truly experience the game in the last few hours. There is a lot of innovation prevalent in Sleeping Dogs, for the genre at least. There is a combat system reminiscent of Rocksteady’s Batman games. Where the system is based on one attack button, one parry and a grab. From their you can integrate weapons and guns. The moves are all based in martial arts and the further you progress the more badass Wei becomes. You can even don some of the most recognisable outfits in martial arts movie history; most notably the infamous yellow jump suit that Bruce Lee wore in Game of Death.

Another interesting feature is that of the parkour element of the game. It’s used perfectly to keep you engaged in chase scenes and provides a lively and unique alternative to the rather mundane pursuit of villains and perps. A clumsy line is punished by the negative impact on your cop rank and when you successfully scale a building in good time you really feel that you have achieved something.

Sleeping Dogs is a great game. It is well grounded and you can expect to get in a fair amount of trouble but it never feels over the top stupid and doesn’t require you to commute between each and every mission or pay toll booths. I’m looking at you, GTA IV. There isn’t anything like it and there is a great deal of customisation in terms of clothing and a great selection of cars to speed through the busiest of traffic jams. In short,everything that Sleeping Dogs does is done well.

It is well known that you should let sleeping dogs lie but this is certainly the exception to the rule. You will find countless hours of fun cruising around Hong Kong in the best western game Square Enix has published yet. There will be no dull moments through the twists and turns of the Triads and you will be begging for more by the end. There is so much that can be innovated on and changed but as it stands Sleeping Dogs is one of this year’s stand out games and should not be missed. I really hope this is one of the new franchises Square Enix will continue for at least one or two sequels.