Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days
- Kane and Lynch 2
Experience 48 hours of hell with two of gaming’s most notorious criminals. In Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, Kane and Lynch face the consequences when a simple job gone wrong sets off a desperate and frantic struggle to escape the entire Shanghai underworld. Experience intense action in Single Player, online and offline Co-op, Fragile Alliance multiplayer and Arcade modes. Ground-breaking art direction, relentless action gameplay, and innovative multiplayer re-define the action-shooter experience a
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(out of 23 reviews)
October 24, 2010 12:03 pm
Review by Gorden Freeman for Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days
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Let me just start off by saying that this game is a rental, not because it plays poorly or is full of bugs, but because the single player story is under 5 hours long. That’s right laddies and gentlemen, it took me under 5 hours to beat this game. It is absolutely abhorrent that the developers/publishers are getting $60 for this. If anyone else out there is like me, just based on the shear irritation I experienced upon finishing this game in under 5 hours, I will more than likely not play through it again. I bought this game because I enjoyed the first game (even though it was buggy and full of little technical issues), and that it took me a couple of days to finish it.
Now on to the performance of the game. The shooting mechanic is vastly improved in this game, and the cover system works perfectly. About 99% of the game runs beautifully at a very constant frame rate and the action blends nicely into the ongoing dialog the two characters, Kane and Lynch, carry on throughout the game. Also, I actually enjoyed what they did with the camera, making it look like the entire experience was recorded.
So in closing, if you really, REALLY want this game, go ahead and throw $60 out the window. But if you can be patient, and learn from my horrible mistake, either rent it or wait for the price to come way down.
October 24, 2010 12:09 pm
Review by SCF for Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days
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Kane & Lynch 2 demonstrates what happens when a development team tries to form an entire game around one glimmering fragment of a good idea.
The story is almost non-existent. It’s Mario Bros. Two guys fighting their way through each level, trying to rescue the girl. That’s it. It, obviously, continues with the same two irredeemable and unlikable lead characters from the first game that one feels no connection to or interest in.
Also, like the first Kane & Lynch, it tries far too hard to be edgy. As a fan of cleverly applied foul language, I’m put off when a game is so blatantly trying to appeal to twelve year old boys with excessive use of the ‘F-word’. It comes across fake and insincere and patronizing.
It has one note of gameplay. You run through hallways shooting people, until you get to the other side. Then a new level loads and you shoot through another hallway, shooting more people. Four hours later, the game is over.
Many have rightfully complained that while length is not everything, it’s hard to justify a full retail price for a four hour game. I agree, but I also would not have wanted to sit through another four hours of the same tiring, boring, monotonous action. In fact, I started looking forward to the end arriving, by about the third hour.
Multiplayer has potential, but falls flat. Part of that is due to the poor matchmaking, which seems dated. You’ll spend a lot of time waiting in lobbies for people to join and games to start. The loading screens between games, joining lobbies, leaving lobbies, returning to lobbies from games are lengthy and a bit frustrating. There also isn’t any host-migration, which has come to be expected in modern multiplayer games. This results in a _lot_ of prematurely ended games due to the host dropping out. I tried playing Cops & Robbers for four hours last night and I never completed a game. Cops and Robbers is four rounds long and in every game over those four hours, the host left before the third round.
The concept of the multiplayer in this game is interesting, though. I’d like to see someone expand on the idea and execute it much better. It could use some polish and definitely could use more maps (there are five or six, I think – though it feels like only three). There are three additional maps, but you only get those if you pre-ordered the game from certain retailers. Even then, you only get ONE of the three locked maps; not all of them. If you ordered from Amazon, you got a special assault gun, instead of any maps. I believe that you can play on those maps if the host has the map, but I have not come across any games where that is the case. You also can’t buy the maps as DLC.
There is also a Co-Op mode. It’s nothing to write home about. It’s just the single player game, but with the other person playing Kane. So instead of one player falling asleep with their finger constantly yanking the trigger and pushing forward through the path, someone else can suffer along with you.
All that said, Kane & Lynch 2 does a couple things right. First, while the graphics often look very dated (especially the faces and animations, if you stop and watch Kane running around) — the “camera man” filters they apply cover it up. In fact, the effects they apply can be absolutely stunning and go a long way toward improving realism. (Of course, there is never any explanation for why some guy with a camera is following two murderers around with a camera, risking getting himself killed by stray bullets the entire time, and witnessing to countless crimes by these crooks). Still, the effect is very cool.
I also like that the game, except for frequent long loading screens, has a bit of a “one long tracking shot” feel to it. Think of the scene from Children of Men, but much longer. If they could have found a way to stream-load the game, instead of having loading screens, it may have been memorable for presenting that sort of “game starts at point A and goes to point B and you never stop at any spot in between” experience.
So, in conclusion, Kane & Lynch 2 is a one-note game with a couple intriguing elements that belong in a much better game. I suspect this game will appeal to the same kind of mindset that gets off on all the weed references in Modern Warfare 2 or buys Bayonetta just because it features a naked chick in a “hair suit” standing in stilettos. These people probably wouldn’t even realize they’re being patronized, though.
For everyone else – I suspect they will find it boring and repetitive and wish they’d spent their money elsewhere (even despite the couple of interesting elements that could have had potential). Rent it or pick it up at no more than half of retail price. Otherwise, skip it.
It really seems like IO Interactive had a brainstorming meeting and they came up with one good idea that had enough content for one level of the game and that was the last brainstorming session they ever had, until the game was released. As for why they spent so much time making so little game? There seems to be no explanation for that.
October 24, 2010 12:17 pm
Review by Kevin L. Williams for Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days
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Kane and Lynch 2 so far, seems to have no tie-ins with the first one. So people wondering if they need to play the first game should know that they really don’t have to. It will benefit you to play the first one to learn how Kane and Lynch met and to pick up on some of the conversations that the two have with one another during gameplay…which are awesome by the way. Kane and Lynch in 1 aspect reminds me of Silent Hill 2…(I know, I know..2 completely different types of games) BUT Kane and Lynch 2 like Silent Hill 2 should be looked at and played for the “EXPERIENCE” it offers. The game is short no doubt about it, but the level design, sound, voiceovers, and tension that you get from this game does not fall short at all. There are some complaints I have though…1 The people you shoot are are way too hard to kill sometimes. Unless you can pull off a good headshot, dont expect anyone to go down “Rainbow Six Style” 2..When you get shot, sometimes you get knocked down. When this happens, make sure (if you can help it) to be close to cover. The controller seems to freak out and get confused…9 times out of 10 you will not move the way you intend to move. In other reviews, you more and likely will read someone complaining about the camera. The effect the camera offers in this game is truely unique. It is nothing you haven’t seen on T.V. before (Cloverfield, Blair Witch, your homemade videos) but in a video game it makes you feel like you are the camera man filming a movie. Any fan of skateboarding, skate videos and the game SKATE will tell you how much they appreciate the camera for the wonders it does for that in that game. Fans of shooters should welcome this camera effect with open arms! The camera is a majority of what makes this game so cool and in my opinion should not be bashed because it brings something new to shooters..sure Gears of Wars camera shakes when you run and Kill Zone has a shakey camera, but trust me..its not done like this. I predict many games of the future to copy this style. In closing, if you are thinking of buying this game…I say do it! It seems the developers wanted this to be more of an “experience” so don’t let the length of the game steer you away from buying it if that is your only reason to now want to….this problem can easily be fixed with DLC. I hope this review was helpful to you.
October 24, 2010 12:57 pm
Review by William B. Howard for Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days
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When I played Kane and Lynch Dead Men I was caught up in in dangerous, fast-paced world that I encountered. The controls in the first game were the most difficult thing to accept along with a story that started out strong but didn’t end the same way. Some time has passed since then and now along comes Kane and Lynch 2 Dog Days. All I can say is WOW they nailed this one. Before I go any further I must say that this is one of the “sleeper ” hits of 2010.
I didn’t expect to be blown away with such a gritty, action-packed romp. This game delivered where it matters most. The presentation is cinema-quality with it’s voice acting and sound. The characters deliver spot on performances that make you feel their emotions at every twist and turn. The sound is perfect with booming explosions and gunfire along with excellent background music.
The controls are a great improvement from the first game with fluid and accurate movements and in my opinion and stand on its own with the big boy shooters like Call of Duty and Halo. The graphics are also well done with great attention to detail in every portion of the game. The gritty display and shaky-cam presentation is very movie like and will completely immerse you in this action packed game.
The game is a bit short by most folks standards at around 6 hours, however the game is very well placed and you don’t feel at all like the story is rushed in any way. I anticipate downloadable content that will continue the story.
The multiplayer (which I typically shy away from) is comparable with some of the best around. The real fun is in the arcade mode. In arcade mode you face off against the computer in heist’s similar to Halo ODST’s firefight mode where you complete increasingly difficult rounds. This game also includes a co-op story mode that will be very fun for fans of split-screen gaming.
Kane and Lynch 2 Dog Days improves on all the downfalls of the first game and is easily one of the best shooters of 2010. Unfortunately due to its short story mode (again I felt it was just the right length) it will most likely be one of this year’s most overlooked games. If you like action, great gun fights, an engrossing story and good multiplayer modes do yourself a favor and check this game out.
October 24, 2010 12:59 pm
Review by T. Caughey for Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days
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IO, one of my favorite studios which brought us the flawed but still beloved Hitman series, the almost classic Freedom Fighters and the very solid Mini Ninjas, took a second swing at their Kane and Lynch property and missed. Big time. I’m a fan of the first game which I always considered to be underrated. The first volume was visually attractive, adequately written, deliberately paced and, most importantly, simple fun. The second is none of these things. To compound this the second outing brings over the two biggest failings of the first in a poor aiming/cover scheme and NPC AI.
The most immediate thing the player will encounter is the new Hong Kong grindhouse/mockumentary cinematic aesthetic. This works in a delightful way in some of the best menus seen in some time. Regrettably it slides into disruptive, unattractive gimmick during actual gameplay. The effort to create an “in your face” and realistic atmosphere with flat haze effects and “hand cam” cinematography gets old, even sickening, very quickly. There isn’t a sharp point or eye grabbing effect in the entire 4 to 8 hour game. It’s as if your watching a home movie filmed with a cheap video camera that a dozen children have wiped their greasy fingers on. Sprinting for any extended duration actually gave me a headache.
This general “feel” IO was shooting for permeates other elements of the game in unfortunate and undesirable ways. In a universe that is supposed to be dark and unforgiving one would expect the gameplay to reflect. Instead gimmick again triumphs in the “censored” effects. That’s correct, the designers thought players would think it was cool that head shots result in a “blurred” effect over the enemy’s heads. It’s just like in cheap import movies or a documentary. Yuck, yuck, get it guys? This is also done with crotches. You can watch people be stripped nude and tortured with razorblades just no penises allowed.
The terrible art direction might be forgiven if the gameplay was solid. Unfortunately for the genre fan the aiming mechanic borders on infuriating. The first two hours of the game will be spent with garbage weapons behind a unresponsive and uncooperative target reticle. It’s not that the aiming is difficult, it’s simply poorly designed. By the final level in the game the player should have figured out how to “game” the targeting and so will simply breeze through with their top of the line weapons scoring blurred headshot after blurred headshot on opponents playing peek-a-boo from their cover. In addition to a poor shooting experience Kane and Lynch 2 falls desperately short on the second most important aspect of the cover driven third person shooter: the cover mechanic. For a game which demands the use of cover a well executed and intuitive cover mechanic is an absolute must. The one found here is wonky and troublesome. The player is forced, often through trial and error, to “run and flop”, “run and flop”, over and over again from cover to cover. There is no organic or natural sliding effects and most levels are poorly enough designed where the directional “from cover to cover” mechanic is a rare and often unneeded treat instead of an ever present natural flow.
This ties into the poor AI. In most levels the player is rewarded by rushing the spawn points of the enemy. By covering the distance quickly with a machine gun or semi-auto shotgun the game’s predictable spawn points are easy to dominate. Even if the enemy does reach cover they begin their game of cement shoe peek-a-boo where they crouch in one spot and pop out ever 4.7 seconds to fire at you for 2.3 seconds. Repeat. On occasion an enemy will close and if he does so on a flank you would hope to be covered by your AI partner you will die. Every time.
I will briefly mention the storyline so as not to “give it away”. Well, what little there is to give away. It essentially starts as a “get the girl” plot line and then moves to “uh-oh, gotta get out of Dodge” storyline. There isn’t a lot going on and the little depth the story has is lost in the medium of its presentation. If you’re paying attention you’ll get it and it’s not awful but it makes little tangible difference to the enjoyment you will or will not get out of the game. It’s the sad looking orange slice next to your three pounds of hash browns. Hope you really like oranges.
The final point to cover is the multi-player. Considering the pathetically short campaign I hoped for a robust multi-player experience with exciting maps, weapons and diabolical backstabbing. The multi-player I got was borderline broken. The three play styles are conceptually fun (Fragile Alliance, Undercover Cop, Cops and Robbers) but functionally disappointing. In the confined areas of the maps and short playtimes there is neither substantial opportunity or real incentive to actually plan a double cross on your opponents. Cops are given little incentive other than to wait their turn to be robbers again. This is aggravated by a terrible selection of weapons. The few weapons that are worth your time are unlockable by DLC that has yet to be released but I’m sure you’ll be asked to pay for. The overly healthy amount of life given in the single player campaign translates to muliplayer as well. This results in frequently needing multiple players to even kill even a single opponent, circling him and pouring magazine after magazine into them like a pack of wolves with Parkinson’s bringing down a Moose. The alternative is to try to get really, really close and shotgunning him before he can turn around and back up 10 feet. There goes your well laid trap or the need to ever, ever use the cover mechanic in multiplayer.
All of this is not to say the game is totally devoid of redeeming features. The cut scenes take much better to the chosen aesthetic than the gameplay. Both the cut scenes and the choreography of the players draw effectively from popular culture and media sources such as Heat even if they do so a little too heavy handedly. The checkpoints are set out in a way that is convenient and almost invisible. Many of the pacing and mechanical issues are slowly resolved through the game and by the time you get to the final levels it is almost fun. Of course it also abruptly ends at that same point.
The bottom line is that if you’re a huge genre fan this game is worth a rent just so you can see what it is that IO tried to do here. It’s not a totally broken game so it might just be worth that $10 or an occupied slot in your Gamefly account. On the other hand there is little here to recommend this game to the casual or non-genre fan. One thing that is true for all parties though is that at well under 10 hours playtime and a broken multi-player experience this game does not deserve a retail purchase. I have to give this game two stars. It deserves 1.5 stars but since it’s not literally broken, it began to come around at the end and it had glimmers of true creative competence I’m going to say two.
Pros:
*Awesome menus
*Well constructed check point system
*At least tried to bring fresh ideas to multi-player
*Reliable servers
*Some intense cut scenes
Subjective qualities/food for thought:
*Fairly easy
*Didn’t try to be anything other than a noir 3rd person shooter
*Kane and Lynch are back in all their nihilistic glory
*The music sets an unexpected vibe
Cons:
*Art direction so bad it’s insulting
*Gummy shooting mechanics
*Fumbling cover mechanics
*Predicable AI
*Obvious spawn points
*Aborted storyline