Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition has improved so well in this game. Unlike the original Sleeping Dogs that I played on my Xbox 360. The definitive version of Sleeping Dogs has improved so well even today. It had better detail around Hong Kong, improved textures, better weather like the rain (except for the sunrise or sunset because the sun does not appear), Lots of traffic in the game, and one of my favorite parts in Hong Kong is that this game has a plentiful of walking pedestrians and animation just to feel and act like Hong Kong. Mostly in the Night Market. The fighting and shooting in the game are absolutely beautiful. The melee combat showed and feel what is like in a Hong Kong martial arts action movie, it has a lot of mix of attack moves, satisfying counterattacks, ways to kill an enemy with a melee weapon, and most importantly the beautiful environmental moves in the game that has shown so many ways to kill an enemy while healing Wei like it's a healing factor. While in shooting combat although it's realistic that I only use one secondary weapon to put in my pocket like a pistol or baton but not primary weapons like riffles & shotguns it still manages to play well. The best part about shooting enemies is that you can use slow motion like Michael's Slow-motion ability from GTA V Wei can actually do Gun Kata meaning using guns with martial arts like running your enemy on top and shooting, using melee attack with a gun then shooting. Gun combat breaks the physics in a good way just to use our imagination on how we kill. I also like the item abilities in Hong Kong as you can actually eat food to give health bonuses, drink the "Dragon Kick" Energy drink to show melee attacks, drink tea to have damage reduction, and many more. And with that, it's time I review 3 story parts in the game. Main Story, Nightmare in Northpoint and Year of The Snake.
The main story is about Wei Shen who is an undercover cop who works with the triads of the Sun On Yee which they are fighting each other rather than working together against rival gangs like the 18K. The story usually is absolutely driven and perfect. The combat in the game is astonishingly beautiful and most importantly Sleeping Dogs has more memorable characters in the game like Jackie Ma, Winston Chu, and many more. Collecting items made it easier and stress-free when you go on blind dates Boss battles were almost amazing. One thing that I didn't like in the main story is the fight against Big Smile Lee. It was anti-climatic and very disappointing for using martial arts upgrades. Plus, Triad Xp is the most difficult experience to earn meaning there are no mini missions to earn Triad Xp except for Cop Xp and Face Xp which is disappointing that I have to wear Triad clothing rather than using my Legendary clothing. Although the legendary outfits were very fun to use, I am disappointed that I can't use them in Nightmare in Northpoint or Year of The Snake. There are fun DLC missions in this edition of the main story like the "Wheels of Fury" not just that I got the car called the "DZS-90" but I also get to use it in main missions and races which makes it easier to win. And for the Zodiac Tournament. The full mission here just felt a little short. I expected the Zodiac Tournament to have more challenges in this game. But on the Brightside, I almost managed to have a proper Boss fight in the end against Dr. Zhang against his drunken martial arts.
Nightmare in Northpoint is a special mode that is used to release for Halloween. The game has turned their interest into a complete literal fantasy. The model has potential but even with jumping Jian Shis, demonic Yaougais, pedestrians unexpectedly became ghosts and Big Scar Wu/Smiley Cat. It still felt way too short. I was expecting this mode to expand more cameos, heroes, and villains in this story. Like I was expecting Big Smile Lee's return or Mimi Shen to appear in the game, Uncle Po as a cameo, or even Charles Ho who is also a cop that would make him a fitting ally or enemy I was expecting more of the story, and have collectibles marked just like in dates that should have been hangouts. Plus there is no explanation for why the cops did not appear in the game like Jay Tang and Raymond Mak. Which should have an interesting for bringing them to the finale. Plus I am also upset that Jackie Winston is not part of the story. They may be both Easter eggs but it just feels that it is not enough. Either way, at least I was granted the ability that is similar to face which I can exorcise demons in Hong Kong and granted a peach sword. Even though this downgrades Wei's abilities. Including legendary that I can't wear in this mode.
Year of the Snake in this mode most of the triad abilities got downgraded including the fighting abilities but added police moves like the taser and cruise arrest. As much as this game focuses on being a cop it was almost pretty good. You can do police duties in the game like crowd control, stop public disturbances, and fight against cult members and the best part is that I can use a gun any time from the back of the trunk. As much as this game is rushing to save Chinese New Year it almost felt that this game is a little too rushed. An example is the cult leader in the game. I expect that this finale has a final boss and his fighting style similar to the Shaolin Monks. The cult leader is completely worse and more anticlimactic than Big Smile Lee. All I have to do is arrest him and that is it. And nothing else to complete with a bang. The police officer was right in the boat shooting scene. I also expect him to be on an island. Either way, this game is still good to play.
In conclusion. Sleeping Dogs is the most underrated open-world martial arts action game that need more love to this. If Sleeping Dogs 2 finally gets released I supposed that this may continue Wei's Story or focus on the 18K. Or even Shing Wo from the canceled Triad Wars.
The main story is about Wei Shen who is an undercover cop who works with the triads of the Sun On Yee which they are fighting each other rather than working together against rival gangs like the 18K. The story usually is absolutely driven and perfect. The combat in the game is astonishingly beautiful and most importantly Sleeping Dogs has more memorable characters in the game like Jackie Ma, Winston Chu, and many more. Collecting items made it easier and stress-free when you go on blind dates Boss battles were almost amazing. One thing that I didn't like in the main story is the fight against Big Smile Lee. It was anti-climatic and very disappointing for using martial arts upgrades. Plus, Triad Xp is the most difficult experience to earn meaning there are no mini missions to earn Triad Xp except for Cop Xp and Face Xp which is disappointing that I have to wear Triad clothing rather than using my Legendary clothing. Although the legendary outfits were very fun to use, I am disappointed that I can't use them in Nightmare in Northpoint or Year of The Snake. There are fun DLC missions in this edition of the main story like the "Wheels of Fury" not just that I got the car called the "DZS-90" but I also get to use it in main missions and races which makes it easier to win. And for the Zodiac Tournament. The full mission here just felt a little short. I expected the Zodiac Tournament to have more challenges in this game. But on the Brightside, I almost managed to have a proper Boss fight in the end against Dr. Zhang against his drunken martial arts.
Nightmare in Northpoint is a special mode that is used to release for Halloween. The game has turned their interest into a complete literal fantasy. The model has potential but even with jumping Jian Shis, demonic Yaougais, pedestrians unexpectedly became ghosts and Big Scar Wu/Smiley Cat. It still felt way too short. I was expecting this mode to expand more cameos, heroes, and villains in this story. Like I was expecting Big Smile Lee's return or Mimi Shen to appear in the game, Uncle Po as a cameo, or even Charles Ho who is also a cop that would make him a fitting ally or enemy I was expecting more of the story, and have collectibles marked just like in dates that should have been hangouts. Plus there is no explanation for why the cops did not appear in the game like Jay Tang and Raymond Mak. Which should have an interesting for bringing them to the finale. Plus I am also upset that Jackie Winston is not part of the story. They may be both Easter eggs but it just feels that it is not enough. Either way, at least I was granted the ability that is similar to face which I can exorcise demons in Hong Kong and granted a peach sword. Even though this downgrades Wei's abilities. Including legendary that I can't wear in this mode.
Year of the Snake in this mode most of the triad abilities got downgraded including the fighting abilities but added police moves like the taser and cruise arrest. As much as this game focuses on being a cop it was almost pretty good. You can do police duties in the game like crowd control, stop public disturbances, and fight against cult members and the best part is that I can use a gun any time from the back of the trunk. As much as this game is rushing to save Chinese New Year it almost felt that this game is a little too rushed. An example is the cult leader in the game. I expect that this finale has a final boss and his fighting style similar to the Shaolin Monks. The cult leader is completely worse and more anticlimactic than Big Smile Lee. All I have to do is arrest him and that is it. And nothing else to complete with a bang. The police officer was right in the boat shooting scene. I also expect him to be on an island. Either way, this game is still good to play.
In conclusion. Sleeping Dogs is the most underrated open-world martial arts action game that need more love to this. If Sleeping Dogs 2 finally gets released I supposed that this may continue Wei's Story or focus on the 18K. Or even Shing Wo from the canceled Triad Wars.