Gaming’s most notorious (and controversial) duo are finally back, and this time taking Shanghai for a spin. Kane & Lynch 2 is looking to elevate the crime shooter genre to new heights, but does this new direction allow the partnership to have a clean getaway, or be put on trial?
The story for Kane & Lynch 2 picks up a little while after the events of Dead Men. Lynch has settled in Shanghai, but calls up his old buddy Kane when he is offered the deal of a lifetime. As expected, the deal goes a little south and gunfights and treachery ensue. On the whole, it’s a relatively forgetful story, but the voice acting is superb and keeps you intrigued enough to blast your way until the end.
Following behind the formula of Dead Men, Dog Days allows the campaign to be played via split-screen or online with a friend. The gameplay has been refined since the last outing, as the controls are tighter and the cover system has been reworked, as it now uses a command for cover, rather than relying on the automatic ‘sticky’ cover.
The weapons are also a lot more varied, giving players the chance to use a multitude of shotguns, rifles and pistols. There are however no grenades, but both characters can grab and throw propane tanks and fire extinguishers which you will then have to shoot for the explosively big bang.
The multiplayer component is also handled with more care this time, giving the online modes a little polish. The most attractive mode being Fragile Alliance (which returns from Dead Men), in which players must try reach a getaway van while holding off cops. What makes it interesting is that at any time, one of your teammates could turn on you and kill you, therefore taking your share of the cash. But every wrong has a right, and if killed, you respawn as a cop to get your revenge.
Kane & Lynch 2’s standout feature is definitely its visual style. The base graphics and models have been beefed-up, but it’s the Michael Mann inspired presentation that steals the show. The camera acts as a hand-held camcorder throughout the game, which shakes violently and distorts when the player is shot or explosions are near. The camera even blurs out certain elements which are ‘too gory’. The visuals sometimes hamper the odd precision shot here and there, but overall ii is incredibly unique, which improves the game and context dramatically.
As unlikable, Kane and Lynch may be as characters, there’s something about them that keeps us coming back for more. Dog Days is a substantial improvement on the original game and introduces the right gameplay mechanics and visual additions that are definitely taking the series in the right direction.
