14 DAY TRIAL // Kane and Lynch 2 came as a surprise announcement, given the cold reception of the original game. I was quite disappointed with IO Interactive when it released the first installment in this series. It really seemed like a very original idea in terms of story and characters that unfortunately was associated with a low quality third person shooter with sloppy designed cover mechanics and guns.
Recently, a demo was released for all three platforms that will see the release of Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days. It features a glimpse of the single player campaign as well as on map for the Fragile Alliance multiplayer component. After playing through each of these modes I must say that IO may finally deliver the game that these two very interesting characters deserve.
The YouTube low-fi documentary aesthetic that the developers have chosen works great with the story and setting, but also manages makes IO Interactive's dated engine look good again. It is wonderfully implemented as it never impedes aiming or gives any motion sickness, but the shaky-cam effects have enough of a presence to be a strong contribution to the atmosphere. The fact that Lynch is the main playable character this time is also great and his ramblings as he fights on the streets of Shanghai do a lot to immerse the player in the game's bleak world.
The shooting is much better this time around and when coupled with the art style and the destructble cover, it results in quite a visceral experience. The cover mechanics are also better and by better I mean there is finally a cover button. Unfortunately, it still is not as versatile as the one in Gears of War or Splinter Cell: Conviction mostly because it doesn't give the possibility of sliding from cover to cover.
Fragile Alliance is a fun and frantic multiplayer mode with lots of possibilities for emergent gameplay. You never know who will be shooting at you, whether if its is cop or a friend. You fight against the Chinese law enforcement, you struggle to get to the escape and as you get close to the getaway car, one of you team betrays the team and starts shooting. Chaos ensues as the members of the team battle each other and the police. The improved shooting and cover mechanics allow for Fragile Alliance to finally shine.
This is a game that will live or die on level design. As long as IO Interactive keeps the environments and gameplay varied and as atmospheric as in this demo, the Kane and Lynch franchise may finally take off. All I can say is that Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days is looking much better than I expected at the moment, though some improvements are still possible.