Music, Style & Culture

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days (PS3)

For fans of the first person shooter genre, it's well worth picking up.

It's fair to say that the original Kane & Lynch had, shall we say, a mixed reception. Controversy (let's not go into that, eh - Ed) and a less than sparkling response means it's a bit of a shock we're here at all. Thankfully, like the days when a band would be given time to 'develop', Kane & Lynch 2 has dusted itself down, sorted itself out, and actually become kind of good.

The story never really felt the problem, but it's still a cut above some of its peers. Shanghai-based japes concerning an arms deal gone dead, local crime lords, double crossing allies and all that jazz provides the setting for a lot of ducking behind cover and firing off a few rounds, praying to Gaga they actually land.

There's a cinematic quality to K&L2, the AI is improved, there's a sense of tension and, unusually for a game of this genre, charging and shooting just isn't gonna cut it. There's no downing an enemy with a single shot unless you're Lord of Headshots, and did we mention you're playing in the kind of shaky cam mode last seen on your Dad's home videos? It's not an easy ride, and yet it is rather short. The biggest disappointment is that a good session and you've broken its back - a bit more length and it could have been even better.

Still, there's always multiplayer. Fragile Alliance games let you team up with your mates, either working together on a heist or being a back stabbing bugger and making off with the spoils. It's basically a bit like growing up in Bradford. Unless you're from Bradford, then obviously we mean Wakefield.

Kane & Lynch 2 has pulled a decent game out of the fire. Issues with long term playability stop it coming out smelling of roses at the higher echelons of amazing, but for fans of the first person shooter genre, it's well worth picking up. That alone is a pretty solid achievement for all concerned.

Rating: 7/10