Hello and welcome, if you’re in the UK at the moment then may I ask what is this heat?! If you’re not, let me inform you that we are in the middle of a heatwave and writing, walking, moving and sleeping is now a challenge to us rain weathered Brits.
This week I’m writing up on the game Sleeping Dogs. I chose this for several reasons, primarily being that I think this is the best GTA clone on game consoles. Other reasons including a friend of mine who lives in China, where it is currently touching forty degrees, and promptly told me that I can’t whine to him about our own heatwave. Lastly, I played this game on PS3 and PS4, thereby given me extra material to write about.
Sleeping Dogs is set on Hong Kong Island, where you play as an undercover policeman, Wei Shen, to infiltrate the Triads from your childhood. He also grew up America so can speak perfect English, so you know, ‘Merica. That aside the story is actually engrossing and you do want to play through, though exploration is rewarding in this excellent playground.
Graphically Sleeping Dogs definitely was no slouch on the PS3, on the PS4 however, it becomes a heavy hitter. You go from damp roads in the rain, to damp everything as rain drops bounce off hard surfaces and Shen becomes slick as the rain pours. Honestly, the game looks better in the rain than any other. All the character models are detailed and move without issues, the NPC’s have a decent amount of variety too. Cars and guns are textured to a good standard also, with the cars looking really nice thanks to the added horsepower of the PS4. The city itself is a pleasure to drive around and explore, with its bustling vibe and varied environments.
The gameplay is a mixture of classic third person shooter and the Arkham fight system (Kung-Fu style), though the game does skew towards melee combat. Personally I don’t think this is a bad thing, though my preference in gaming does lend itself towards melee style games anyway. The driving aspect is a little arcade-y rather than realistic but you do have a fantastical ability to jump onto other people’s cars and highjack them on the move. Parkour is a well implemented on foot travel, allowing you to leap and slide over obstacles as long as you get the timing right. You have to time the jump so it’s not too early but not too late, though it allows some skill it isn’t too difficult.
Story-wise, this game is as good as any. No lore like the Witcher, but with Shen’s tragic background and his familiarity he has with the other characters you quickly become engrossed. Shen moved to America due to his sisters death, who he blames the Triads for, gives Shen suitable motivation to want to take them down. The game asks questions about building relationships whilst knowing your betraying them. With a few police characters with varied goals and agendas, you quickly become immersed in this game.
Quick note on the DLC, the Kung-fu island is fun but challenging. Beyond that, I didn’t think they were of the same quality of the game but they are worth doing if you get the definitive edition anyway.
Considering how cheap you can get this game, its very unlikely you would regret buying this. Yes, a GTA clone but for anyone familiar to Spider-man comics, it’s a Ben Reilly rather than Peter Parker clone.
Wake the sleeping dogs with these hints and tips:
- In combat, don’t get too stuck into a style of play. Some enemies later on will require using more of your repoitoire of moves. Like throws or low strikes.
- If you have a knife, it’s worth throwing it at anyone you think is tough, 8/10 it’s an insta-kill.
- Cash flow an issue? In the story you meet Tran, who gives you access car theft jobs. This is one of the best ways to earn.
- If you are going to gamble, your going to want to save before each go. This is mainly for trophy hunters who need to make the million profit.
- Clothes make the man, change your outfit often to get bonus’.
- Speaking of bonus’, eat food and drink sodas some temporary boosts.
- During missions like drug busts or lock boxes, if you can’t find it then this usually means its up or down. Up is easy, down means you going to have to nab a boat and actually try to find a tunnel into the city there.
- Random missions are a great way to build ‘face’ which comes with it’s own perks, including access to cars and clothes.
- The dating in this game isn’t just gratuitous fantasies, there are perks for you that appear when you finish up dates.
- Following from that, Jade statues unlock on a date. Collect so you may learn shiny new kung-fu moves.
- The collectibles, (e.g. shrines) are worth hunting as you get perks like damage, health boosts, guns etc.
- Wander in the rain and just look how good this game looks.