Overall most helpful review

Posted on: July 10, 2022

SpliffyB

Games: 393 Reviews: 3

The Watchmen of third person shooters

Probably one of IO's most deeply misunderstood games, unfairly mired in controversy generated by reviewers too stupid to grasp that the characters in the game aren't supposed to be likeable or aspirational. Are there problems with the game? Absolutely. The Cuba segments are a clearly rushed meatgrinder where you'd absolutely be forgiven for dropping the difficulty to easy or exploiting the unlimited resurrection mechanic in co-op. But those who stick with it will be rewarded with one of the most unforgettable plots in videogames. I do not make the comparison to Watchmen lightly. In the way that Alan Moore delved into the broken psyche required to produce a costumed vigilante, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men unflinchingly examines what the life of a videogame protagonist would actually be like. These men are monsters, emotionally dead, only alive when they're taking lives. Everything they set out to do fails, and their attempts to dig themselves out of the situations they created only bury them deeper in blood. Good intentions are meaningless, family is a death sentence, and betrayal is inevitable. There's not going to be a happy ending here. But what an ending it is, with a devastating payoff no matter which route you choose. Is this most "enjoyable" game? No, but it's not really supposed to be. IO would perfect this aggressive approach towards the player with Dog Days, which strips the Kane & Lynch formula down into a brutish, nasty and short assault on the senses, by comparison to which this game feels slightly weightless by comparison. But the writing and performances in this game stand far above any shortcomings the gameplay experience may present. If you're at all interested in gaming as a storytelling medium, this is one of the most fascinating works the shooter genre has produced.

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Edited on: September 29, 2025

Posted on: July 8, 2022

Regenerator

Verified owner

Games: 1145 Reviews: 21

Average but stylish third-person shooter

This game was massively hyped up in the run-up to release, promising a cinematographic team-based shooter with compelling characters from the creators of Hitman. In reality, this often feels like a mod of Blood Money which removed the good stealth and puzzle elements in favour of mediocre shooting and squad mechanics. The simple fact is that the shooting feels bad, even worse than in Hitman. However, whereas in Hitman shooting a priori meant that something has gone awry, here it is what you'll be doing most often. Like in Hitman, the shots don't ever land where the reticle is, the bullet spread feels random, and there is little sense of impact, as the enemies just fold like a bad hand in poker when you kill them (after way too many hits to be satisfying). And, like in the first Hitman game, it has a jungle level that is a major pain for all the same reasons. The entire Havana section is an exercise in frustration, thanks to dumb teammates, lack of cover, relentless enemies and machine gun emplacements and the obligatory helicopter mini-boss - pretty much a mandatory element from that era. The storyline is a mixed bag - some scenes and "camerawork" are really well done and look quite stylish, but the overall story is quite thin and none of the characters are particularly compelling and/or see very little (or no) development. It feels like the more interesting stuff all happened sometime before the game's events. The squad mechanics are also really simplistic, and the teammates are frustrating as you constantly have to go and revive them only for them to either walk in the path of your or enemies' bullets or even shoot you in the back (unintentionally, the AI is just weak). For all the hate it got, the sequel is a much more polished and satisfying experience that leaned into the first game's strengths (sense of style, somewhat interesting characters and their interactions with one another), fixed some of its worst elements (shooting mechanics), and cut out the rest.

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Posted on: July 9, 2022

Shinsaj

Verified owner

Games: 694 Reviews: 2

No GFWL

This version is the best onyone can get. No games for windows live anymore. Also for me very underrated 3rd person shooter. Gameplay mechanics were clunky but the story and the levels were so great at the time. Still one my favorites.

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Posted on: July 8, 2022

Bloodrunsclear

Verified owner

Games: 1219 Reviews: 143

Grimdark Solid Third Person Shooter

This game is so edgy it verges on parody but at the heart of it is a chaotic but competent shooter. Mechanics are a little dank compared to later games with some bullets punching through walls and crouch shooting usually hitting the barrier you're hiding behind, but there's something visceral about literally hundreds of enemies swarming your position and blasting away while you hurl smoke grenades for cover and pick off who you can while allies scurry around shouting and covering you. You have Lynch to back you up most often and his A.I is decent, although thankfully you can order him around fairly easily. You can even provide him with firearms and backup weapons you find so he carries his weight. It takes awhile to get used to guns with REALLY wide spreads but again it adds to the general impression of chaotic bullets and bodies and frantic running each level has. There's a variety of missions in the campaign with different urban environments to fight cops and crooks in equal number. There's no real good guys here (although your character Kane is technically trying to save his family) but it adds to the Scorsese feel to the whole deal. Music is minimal. Voice acting is great. Not many surprises in the story department but it keeps things moving and changing to hold interest until the final mission. If you enjoy more realistic (to a point) third person action and don't mind pitch dark hardbitten noir crime tales, this is not a terrible choice at all.

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Posted on: July 9, 2022

SolidusGrilo

Verified owner

Games: 293 Reviews: 7

Most charming TPS ever

I really nuts for this game art direction and overall work with the voice actors. Played this back in the day, at my 360, and shit, it's really a cool game. Combat is shit, but i think it's shit by design, the game doesnt want that you enjoy it as a whole. It's a harsh experience, extremely nihilist and violent. Not a game for everyone tho, i would really point this to those that are seeking a cool/fresh TPS experience, or a game with a cool well-made story and characters. (Check the comics if you play it or played before, it's a nice catch up to link with the second game, really cool art too)

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