Sleeping Dogs: Everything You Should Know

Sleeping Dogs: Everything You Should Know Deep under cover, way over your head! Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be exploring everything you should know about “Sleeping Dogs.” Developed by United Front Games, this game was first announced as “True Crime: Hong Kong” back in 2009, and was intended to be a reboot of the waning series. However, its high development budget and several production delays caused Activision to cancel its release, before it was given a new lease on life by Square-Enix. Now its own franchise, “Sleeping Dogs” is a mature-rated game that transports players to the open-world of Hong Kong. There, they take on the role of a Chinese-American detective named Wei Shen, who has been sent over from the San Francisco PD to help local law enforcement infiltrate the Triads. This scenario will have players tackle deadly situations as their character begins to question his morality as he is forced to do horrific things to maintain his cover. That is, of course, before a bloody civil war breaks out between the rival gangs. With a plot that is heavily inspired by Hong Kong action movies, “Sleeping Dogs” is played as an over the shoulder third person action adventure game with RPG elements. Reminiscent of the GTA series, players will be able to confiscate and drive a large variety of vehicles, from automobiles to boats to motorcycles and even use them for combat. They don’t even have to be parked either, as you can commandeer some of these vehincles while they’re still moving! Driving through Hong Kong, players make use of a map to guide them to key locations, safe houses, contact points and Shen’s apartment. When not behind the wheel or high tailing it across town via motorcycle, players navigate obstacles by free running and parkouring over obstacles. Another major gameplay focus is the use of advanced hand-to-hand combat, which has been heavily influenced by the “Freeflow” combat system found in the Batman: Arkham games. Though you will be punching and using whatever you can find to incapacitate others, there are plenty of gunfights to be had as well. These come complete with slow-mo shooting, and a fully realized cover mechanic that allows players to move smoothly between refuge to target enemies, and their specific body parts. Combat is also heavily influenced by the environments, as players can conditionally interact with their surroundings in order to spice things up. For example, players who find themselves fighting next to a fridge can open the freezer door to slam their opponents in the face. While storyline missions are the key to progressing through the game’s narrative and open up new city locations, players are free to take in the four distinct areas of Hong Kong at their own pace. These include its less affluent district of North Point, the neighborhoods of Aberdeen and Kennedy Town, as well as the high-end area of Central. Players can likewise choose to free-roam and participate in various distractions, like stealing cars, joining a fight club, singing karaoke, gambling, betting on cockfights and accessing the city’s security cameras from their apartment TV to monitor suspicious activities. You can even take on comprehensive street races, inspired by the “Need for Speed” series, complete with vehicle customizations. These reward you with a slew of in-game bonuses. A game infused with RPG elements, the purchasing of clothing, accessories and vehicles not only increases specific experience points- such as your Health XP, Triad XP and Police XP, but changes the reactions of non-player characters to your character. As a single player only affair, there is no major online multiplayer component. However, gamers who enjoy open world experiences will find this to be the game that consumes every free moment, and incorporates the very best elements from other popular franchises and genres. Available on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, “Sleeping Dogs” is your destination for mature storylines, intense thrills and hard boiled violence. For more informative and entertaining video game previews, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.