As our previous impressions indicated, there's much to like about the game's presentation. Like Dead Men before it, Kane & Lynch is certainly not short on style. The "digital camera" effect makes this shooter look unlike any other game I've seen, offering the illusion of reality. Upon closer inspection, you can see the graphics tech is far from cutting-edge, but the clever filters and camera techniques make Dog Days feel far more authentic than the photo-realistic approach most other games attempt.
The gameplay benefits from the new visual style too, having a far more visceral feel than the previous title. Shots have much more of an impact to them, evidenced by the increased destructibility of the environments. There is very little "safe" cover, forcing you to avoid being stationary. Thankfully, you can use the permeability of cover to your advantage and blast through a wooden pillar, for example.
The shooting is far more fun than in the first game, and the cover is far more usable. The addition of the "down not dead" mechanic -- similar to Call of Duty's "Last Stand" perk -- shows how far the combat has evolved. However, there's still a long way to go before Dog Days plays as smoothly as the best of the genre. For example, why is the run button assigned to the left bumper, when Gears of War made it so easy to "roadie run," and dash from cover to cover with a single button? Why is reload on the right bumper?
The shooting is far more fun than in the first game, and the cover is far more usable. The addition of the "down not dead" mechanic -- similar to Call of Duty's "Last Stand" perk -- shows how far the combat has evolved. However, there's still a long way to go before Dog Days plays as smoothly as the best of the genre. For example, why is the run button assigned to the left bumper, when Gears of War made it so easy to "roadie run," and dash from cover to cover with a single button? Why is reload on the right bumper?
Lynch's movement through the environment feels stiff and unwieldy, especially in comparison to games like Uncharted. It's true that Kane and Lynch aren't meant to be the most agile characters in gaming, but it seems silly to press three buttons (A, LB, A) to move from one point to another when other games do it with one. The camera also felt slow at times, making tracking enemies difficult. Even the hit detection felt shaky: Grabbing an enemy to use as a human shield was a hit-and-miss affair. A PR representative told me that IO is still refining the controls -- and given the planned August 24 release date, there's plenty of time to make adjustments to the gameplay.
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days may not ever reach the lofty heights set by other third-person shooters, but it is far more ambitious and far more successful than the first title, even in its early state. The unique, gritty visual presentation makes Dog Days stand out; while the authentic recreation of Shanghai is immersive and inviting. Should IO tweak the gameplay, Kane & Lynch 2 might become one of the most pleasant surprises of the summer.
