SLEEPING DOGS joins the competitive arena of open-world games and offers a unique setting that draws gamers into Hong Kong’s seedy underground. Sleeping Dogsfollows the story
of Wei Shen, an undercover cop who moves back to Hong Kong to infiltrate the triad from the inside. Players must help Shen gain the confidence of the triads and report back to the Hong Kong police. Players must keep in favour with the triad and must make some tough moral choices in order to maintain their cover.
Square Enix Product Manager,
Paul Benjamin, tells MCV:“Pre- orders are tracking well, with the marketing campaign kicking-in with sponsorship on TV and online. “There’s also festival activity throughout the summer, great specialist activity across print and online, multi-channel TV at launch as well as some great PR opportunities appearing with Georges St Pierre, whose signature flying punch is included in the Limited Edition of the game. I think we are looking at good times ahead.”
KUNG FU FIGHTING Sleeping Dogsfeatures an all-new Kung Fu-influenced combat system that allows players to experience some real street fighting Hong Kong cinema-style. Consumers can pull off frenzied fists and flying kicks alongside exciting gunplay with a huge assortment of weapons. Sleeping Dogswas previously known as True Crime: Hong Kong before being dropped by Activision. Japanese publishing giant Square Enix later acquired the IP, seeing it switch to Sleeping Dogs. There’s a whole host of voice talent from Hong Kong cinema, including Edison Chen who voices protagonist Wei Shen.
A real-time day and night cycle and weather system makes traversing through the city and Hong Kong hotspots a real experience. If the highs and lows of the city don’t impress you then maybe slapping crims’ with a pink handbag might be the seller. Benjamin continues: “It’s the only game to keep you happy until Grand Theft Auto V.”
22 July 13th 2012
Sleeping Dogs
Lauren Wainwright checks out Square Enix’s open-world dive into Hong Kong, triads, drag racing and a mahjong.