As most people know by now, Kane & Lynch was an unpolished game that could have been a real jewel in the crown for the makers of the Hitman series. However, despite the poor cover system and somewhat glitchy game mechanics, it developed quite an online following for its unique multiplayer modes and if we can forgive the strange globe hopping final sequence, it had quite a solid story and some fantastic set pieces.
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, sees former mercenary Kane and everybody’s favourite psychopath return in another middle-aged, blood-soaked bromance. There is something disturbing about watching a balding man, in a vest, killing people. It’s all a bit Bruce Willis (funny seeing as the man himself has been cast as Kane, according to IMDB).
The opening sequence shows that times have changed since their first outing. It seems as though Lynch has settled down and his medication is finally working, whereas Kane is still embroiled in violent shoot-outs. Quite the turn around for the duo, but it’s not long before Kane lands in Hong Kong and events turn sour.
The demo has players charging through restaurants, alleyways and a construction yard, gunning down seemingly corrupt police officers on their way to rescue Lynch’s lady. Innocents litter the street and it all feels very organic as pedestrians pass by, people get in and out of cars and there seems to be a natural atmosphere about it. Players are not penalised for mowing innocent civilians down, but unless the poor sod was in the cross-fire, they may feel a tad guilty.
The major change that players will notice is the way in which the camera works. It moves with the character and shakes like the kind of handycam work seen in the Blair Witch Project or Cloverfield. The screen becomes grainy and lights, especially neon ones, affect the players ability to see clearly. Large explosions cause the screen to become pixellated and rocks the camera. It takes a little time to get used to, but once the player is in full flow it is a thing of unusual beauty.
The combat system in K&L2 has been vastly improved since the first outing and has seen a major overhaul in all departments. A cover-lock button now exists and it is much easier to move between cover. With a click of the right stick the player can swap which shoulder the camera is looking over, so corners become less treacherous, though it is a very unanimated action. The gunplay is solid and every shot is fired with meaning and purpose. Bullets splinter weak cover, explosions rock the field of view and yet the player can still retain control in the large level of ongoing carnage.
The multiplayer mode of Fragile Alliance returns alongside a new score-based arcade mode, a Cops and Robbers mode and Undercover Cop. All the above modes take a similar format in that criminals will have to commit a crime, steal the money, shoot their way to the exit and board a getaway van.
Arcade mode is the only other offline game mode players can enjoy in the demo. Think of this as Kane & Lynch 2’s horde. Players will commit a crime alongside computer controlled criminals and will try to loot as much of the cash as they can and escape. The player has three lives and each wave gets increasingly harder, though there is an option to buy new guns inbetween rounds.
The classic Fragile Alliance mode returns and pits a team of players against computer controlled gangsters and cops, with the aim of being the player with the most money. As fans of the original will attest, it’s the sort of game mode that has each player watching their rear for fear of being stabbed in the back for their money. Though it can be beneficial to work as a team, the player can get a bigger cut by killing a team mate and leaving with their cash. A true lesson in keeping you friends close and your enemies in your crosshairs.
Undercover Cop plays the same as Fragile Alliance, though this time a player is chosen at random as an undercover cop who must stop the criminals from getting away after committing the crime. The cop will earn bonuses for each gang member killed and will win the round by eliminating all the other criminals.
Finally, the Cops and Robbers mode has a team of cops pitted against a team of criminals. Each side must do their best to eliminate the opposing team, with the cops being rewarded finders fees for the loot they gather and the criminals still having to escape the scene of the crime. This mode, to be honest, is quite hectic and can be the most confusing, however it provides a straight up competitive game mode that is thoroughly enjoyable.
All in all, it looks like IO Interactive have stepped up and made the game that Kane and Lynch: Dead Men was supposed to be. It has the edge on it’s predecessor in every way, with only minor character animation flaws stunting perfection. Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is shaping up to be a solid and unique co-operative and competitive experience both online and off.
