Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition

If you have not played this, do so now!

It's good that GOG let us play this complete version DRM free! If GTA and Yakuza had a child in Hong Kong, then this must be it. As if the world isn't already well built, the characters and the story is well written too! Even after a decade, it's still holds up.

When this game came out I wanted to play it but couldn't. Many years later, I bought it on sale here on GOG and had my chance, but maybe I've been spoiled by many excelent titles that came out after (and even before) it. You play as a an undercover cop in Hong Kong, doing missions for your triad as well as the police force. So expect the whole identity conflict story-wise. Without spoiling much, but it's pretty good, just nothing special as most characters are one-dimensional and have simple character arcs, with the exception of your protagonist. Side-missions are varied and very interesting in the beginning but can get boring throughout the game. What holds it up are the main missions. The city looks good but there isn't much to do in it or possibilities of creative play. Melee combat is good, but it would benefit from more possibilities such as blocking or dodging. The game lacks in boss battles which would be crucial as they'd be the climax fights the movies it takes so much inspiration from. There are a few unique fights but they are very undistinguishable from the generic ones. Now, it's still fun beating up tons of guys, shoving their faces in an oven, etc. Gunplay, however, is very barebones and would've benefited from a few classes with Max Payne 1 and 2 (both games way older and with similar tematic inspirations). Bullet time is conditioned to vaulting over obstacles which, although cool, can be frustrating when there are none and you want to access it. The setting is very unique for this kind of game and it's good to have a open-world city not in the US, with a good mix of local and international (English) music on the radio, some pretty good. All of that contribute to the game's attempt to emulate that "kung fu cop movie" vibe and overall it succeeds. DLCs are good, though the horror one was better than the other IMO. tl;dr: this is basically GTA-lite with a beat em' up game attached to it. Good overall, but a bit dated.

This game is an open GTA-Style game that is fun and wacky, but also deeply emotional at times. I would 100% recommend it to anyone who hasn't tried it. It features fun gameplay and combat, with many different activities to do. The story is an engaging struggle between being a cop and a gangster and really hits you in the feels at times. Though the game is not new, it has great visuals. Overall, I definitely enjoyed the game and the DLC and I can recommend it for sure.

Great story and atmosphere. Finally a main quest in a openworld i want to follow.