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| I'm going to ask you one last time: WHERE is my Starcraft II Pre-order? |
From our time with the game, there's still a long way to go. The characters themselves are still shrouded in personal misery and will do anything for redemption, and this is highlighted in everything from Lynch's four-letter rants to the camera's inability to move with any hint of calmness. If you're trying to sprint away from the cops, expect your head to be thrown around like you've been sucked into a jet engine. Even those who don't suffer from motion sickness will struggle here, as running to excess is extremely heavy on the eyes.
One of the big gripes with the previous title was the frustratingly unrealistic taking down of enemies. Unfortunately, from what we've seen in this early version, it still feels like you're packing a spud gun against an army of kevlar-skinned superhumans. Even those who lack any armour fail to hit the ground with a few well-placed shots, instead running through a cloud of fire like bullet-sapping sponges. The fact that the hit-detection appears on screen with an unsubtle cross every time you make contact shows that there's something a little gruesome missing. This is the gritty world of Kane & Lynch after all, and we'd love to see a splattering of blood to commend each of our efforts.
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| You guys want to get a pizza or something? |
Our burst through Shanghai with Lynch proves there's no safe-haven for the pair. Around every corner gang members or cops wait to take them down. Levels are tightly-constructed and hugely linear, but this does make the action rather dramatic. Hiding behind cover never means you're truly safe, as environmental damage can swing the battle in an instant, with wood splintering and fences regularly falling to the ground. You can avidly see the effect your mischief is having on the city, as pedestrians scamper to cover, and police cars storm past looking for your whereabouts. In one memorable moment, we took cover in a nearby shop, our backs against a rack of Hitman games and other older titles from the team in charge.
A decent range of guns are available in abundance, with assault rifles, sub-machine guns, pistols and sniper rifles dealing out the less-than-satisfactory damage. If things get too hot there's the odd propane tank to launch at your enemies, putting the heat onto them for a while. Choosing the right gun for the right situation is crucial, as there's no point opting for a sub-machine gun that has little range if you're battling police the other side of the city. Enemies are brutal and aren't afraid of flanking or rushing your position, so it's vital you're on point at all times.
We've also tested the improved 'Heist' mode, and as ever, it's sure to be the most interesting multiplayer experience. So far we've only played with AI team mates, but stealing a large loot from another group of criminals and then racing to the getaway van is hugely fun. The unpredictability comes from not knowing if your team will turn on you for a bigger slice of the cake. If you kill one of your allies for extra cash, you'll be outlined as a traitor and other members of the team will come after you to ensure nothing happens to them. It's tense, as making your move too early means you'll not only have cops to fend off, but an angry mob of human players too. With four minutes to get in and out, the action is designed for short bursts of fast-paced play, and works terrifically.
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| The gritty suburbs of Shanghai are looking oddly disco today |
With under a month until release, Kane & Lynch are still having problems. In this early version, most of the drawbacks from the first game are still obvious. Right now, it still looks unlikely that we'll see a trendsetting product that lives up to its vast potential. The glimmer of hope is there, but it seems the series looks set to continue frustrating rather than thrilling.
