Game Title: Sleeping Dogs
Genre: Third-Person Action/ Sandbox
Players: 1
Platform: Playstation 3, Playstation 4 in October 14
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Developer: United Front Games, Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date: August 14, 2012
Review Author: ossiecastro5

Two years ago from this day, Sleeping Dogs was released. At first, it did not receive the attention that this game deserved. But it later on became a success, receiving praise and positive reviews. Sleeping Dogs will receive a Definitive Edition this upcoming October (PS4 and Xbox One) and is currently having a sequel in development. After playing many hours, fighting and driving around Hong Kong, Sleeping Dogs certainly deserved this and more.

Story Overview:

The game starts with Wei Shen, our main protagonist, being caught in the middle of a drug bust gone wrong. After being arrested, Wei meets his old friend Jackie in jail. After catching up with Jackie, he offers Wei to meet the members of Sun On Yee Triads, a criminal organization in China. Wei is taken by the police, where it is revealed that Wei is an undercover cop. Wei takes up on Jackie’s offer to get into the Triad, where he plans to do his police work from the inside. But while being in both worlds, Wei is later in conflict over which side is his true place. This leads into the remarkable story that Sleeping Dogs offers, a story of honor and pain. Not only does the story remain intense and well written, but also interesting enough to continue on.

Stay strong Wei. They torture cops.

Characters:

Wei Shen is the main character in the game. Not only is he interesting to play as, but he changes throughout the game. Being under both sides of the law affects Wei greatly and his emotions and mentality change throughout the game, adding more feeling to the story as well. Jackie, Wei’s friend, plays a major role during the story as his life quickly changes as Wei tries to fulfill his duties within the Triads. Most of the numerous NPCs throughout the story, from the police you meet and the gangsters you encounter, are all well made characters that are interesting and would make you want to learn more.

Classy

Graphics and Appearance:

Sleeping Dogs takes place in Hong Kong. Despite the fact that the graphics are not 100% incredible, something that the PS4 version might fix, being in Hong Kong is immersive. Great detail was made in order to make you feel as if you were really in Hong Kong. Building designs and artwork add so much into the scenery. Food stands are placed outside just like how it is done in Hong Kong, offering unique meals that give boosts. The city itself is also very populated. The main NPCs within the story are all well detailed and really resemble who they are. The people walking around the street may not have received as much detailed attention as the main NPCs, but are good enough. Cars and vehicles are also well made and greatly designed. Even while driving around the city at top speed, the design and feeling is consistent.

Customization is something to enjoy in Sleeping Dogs. You can buy and earn clothing for Wei to wear. A vast selection of clothing is available, from sophisticated suits to street clothes. Many clothes also carry boosts to improve your performance as well. Doing side tasks around town allows you to level up your Face level, which allows you to purchase and wear better and unique clothes. There is also numerous clothing that are references to Chinese and Martial Art movies, including a jump suit that resembles the suit worn by Bruce Lee.

A whole new world…

Sound and Audio:

The voice acting in Sleeping Dogs is top notch and well executed. When you play in the English language, the NPCs also speak in Chinese from time to time, which makes the voice acting more real. There was a bit too much swearing for me personally, but much of it built up on the events and made the Triad gang more realistic and dangerous. Random people you encounter would react and sound differently depending on what you do. Interactions with the environment share sounds that are relevent and respective to their sources. So much detail in the sound was made.

The background audio throughout the game fit in well. Intense moments would have the music change to more appropriate audio. This helped adding into the experience of Sleeping Dogs. What I personally liked was the driving. Not only did the cars sound great, but there is a radio in the cars and vehicles. The song selection is very good in number and offer a large variety of songs, from hip hop to metal to classics and includes Chinese songs as well.

Nothing better than a drive around town listening to some Asian music.

Gameplay:

If gameplay is what people like most in a game, then you are in for a treat. There is a lot you can do in Hong Kong. From Fighting arenas to races, to betting in chicken fights and karaoke, there is so much variety to do within Hong Kong. Traveling around with a car is always easy. Stunts can also be done throughout the city as well. But there is much to do on foot as well. Running around Hong Kong in a freerunning style is mostly fun. Brief platforming moments are added when traveling offroad. Side missions and random events are also plentiful.

Freedom is greatly given to the player once you are free into the open world. Being both a cop and gangster has its perks. But the cops will still be after you if you ever kill any civilians. This brings some elements from Saints Row and Grand Theft Auto, where a heat meter will show if you have cops after you. Getting away from a the cops at a distance can get rid of them. But deciding to fight the cops will bring out more, heavily efficient cops to stop you.

As mentioned earlier, there is a Face meter. Doing side tasks raises your Face meter and allows you to purchase more clothes, as well as cars. There is also a Police and Triad meter. These meters gain xp at the end of each mission, depending on your performance. If you complete missions in a careful, orderly manner, your Police meter raises. If you are merciless and show variety in combat, you gain xp for your Triad meter. Both meters unlock upgrades that unlock more abilities and boosts, from stealing cars easier to slow motion while in combat. These three meters encourage replayability, since there are many side tasks and missions can be replayed. But it also involved much grinding, especially with the Triad meter, and prevents you from buying the clothes and cars you really want unless you do more tasks.

Graphic death by swordfish heads = bonus points!

Combat:

If you are a fan of the combat system from the Arkham series or from the Assassin’s Creed franchise, then you’ll enjoy the combat system here. Most melee fights involve punches and counters, just like the mentioned games. But they are also done swiftly and in a manner that makes you feel like a kung fu master. Combos can be done and more can be learned and practiced after finding certain collectibles. Grabs can be done to target a single opponent or to throw them into walls. Grabs can also set up environmental kills. Interacting into certain objects in the area while grabbing can result into some unique and graphic kills, from slamming a gate onto your opponent to impalement of your foes.

Something also to mention is that melee combat is more emphasized than gun gameplay. Gun gameplay is fun and often chaotic. But guns in Hong Kong are not so easy to get. Weapons such as metal pipes and knives can be used during melee combat for variety. But guns are given mostly for missions rather than the open world, except for the cops. But the real bread and butter here is the melee combat and Sleeping Dogs tries to make the apparent.

Not a problem.

Overall:

Sleeping Dogs is a fun game and an incredible experience. The story is strong and memorable, keeping you at the edge of your seat. And if that doesn’t suit your fancy, the open world will keep you entertained. I have put many hours in both of my playthroughs with this game and they were both very enjoyable. This is currrently available on the PS3; the digital version on the PSN includes a few bonus DLC. There is also numerous DLC content available as well, some featuring references to Martial Art movies and icons. And the Definitive edition of Sleeping Dogs will be available on October 14 on the PS4 and Xbox One, including upgraded graphics and all of the DLC. This is a game worth playing.

Pros:

Fast paced action and gameplay
Well crafted story
Great amount of customization and choice
Captures Hong Kong greatly and includes Martial Art references

Cons:

No freedom of choice with melee and gun gameplay

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