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Game Review: Sleeping Dogs

  • Writer: Mikolaj Brzuchalski
    Mikolaj Brzuchalski
  • Oct 9, 2023
  • 2 min read

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The extensive plethora of positive reviews found on this game’s Steam store page is indicative of the high regards many players hold for this title, even some going as much as begging the now defunct United Front Games studio for a reboot or for a triple-A developer to acquire the IP. The game’s unique setting and premise makes for an interesting entry into the open-world action adventure genre, but despite the general positive reception, it unfortunately falls too short for a positive recommendation as of the writing of this review, most certainly at its full retail price.


United Front’s 2012 release of Sleeping Dogs puts you in the shoes of Wei Shen, a Chinese-American police officer that leads a double-life of crime and justice. Going undercover in the city of Hong Kong, Wei Shen gets involved with affluent street gangs, runs errands for mobsters and partakes in Karaoke afterhours with various frivolous dates, one even voiced by Hollywood’s Emma Stone. Did I mention that Wei Shen is also a master of martial arts? All these quirks and characteristics of Sleeping Dogs is fascinating and sets it apart from similar competing open world games, breathing a nice breath of fresh air and unique character into the genre. However, considering the vast array of activities, perhaps cliché action gameplay mechanics, and potential for great storytelling, one might feel disappointed by the shallow, perpetually repetitive gameplay that overstays its welcome, coupled with uninspiring, unengaging and banal writing.


After a few hours of gameplay, the game quickly becomes a chore, as missions are burdened by linearity and predictable monotony for the sake of prolonging the experience. Drive here, shoot or punch up mobsters, jump a couple fences, climb this wall and drive away. It seems that there was an attempt to break this up with a ‘good cop-bad cop’ player skill tree design and new unlockable fighting moves, but even these feel forced, uninspiring and lack meaningful choice. You kicked a bunch of people? Now you can kick them, but harder and in a new, more ‘spectacular’ way.


Sleeping Dogs is not alone in this, as open-world action adventure games before and after 2012 struggle with this problem. One saving grace for these is a well-written story that is intriguing and captivating, where you cannot wait to see how the story plays out. For Sleeping Dogs, the narrative storyline is also another one of its downfalls. The highest of highs and the lowest of lows had little to no effect, as characters felt under-developed, lacklustre and predictable. Wei Shen, an interesting persona leading a life of duality was a fantastic opportunity to dive deeper into the topic of morality, loyalty and companionship, but what we got in Sleeping Dogs was superficial.


Overall, the unique, exciting and lively Hong Kong environment is an inspiring setting for an open-world action adventure but while not awfully terrible, Sleeping Dogs unfortunately overpromises and falls short. Taking into account the troubled, prolonged repetition, and writing that is less than desirable, perhaps it is not a surprise that the game was not a massive success back in 2012 and is falling rather quickly into obscurity.


Have you played this game before? Got your own opinion on it? I'd love to hear it in the comments below!

 
 
 

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