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TagsThe way K&LDM has been marketed has been more akin to a Hollywood blockbuster; complete with a theme tune you can’t get out of your head.
The feeling you get playing through K&LDM is not like most videogames. It really does feel like a film is playing out in front of you and you’re engaging in some sort of participant observation.
Adding a touch of drama to games is something developers have tried to do in recent times; this is especially evident in Heavenly Sword, Call of Duty 4 and Stranglehold. In K&LDM this is done with great ease, really drawing you in to the plot to the extent that it is possible to empathize with Kane’s plight, a difficult task in itself.
Graphically, Kane & Lynch won’t take anyone’s breath away. It doesn’t compare visually to the likes of Heavenly Sword, though at times it does show nice touches (the nightclub scene, which we’ll come to later, looks particularly impressive).
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Kane used to be in a gang called The7. Years ago he was involved in a heist with them, but it went wrong and he fled with the merchandise. Pretty cheesed off about it all, The7 want revenge. They kidnap his wife and daughter, and if Kane fails to do what they tell him, The7 will kill them.
Lynch, the slightly nuttier of the two, has to break out of prison taking Kane with him and make sure Kane does what he’s supposed to. Lynch himself has a colourful past, finding himself on death-row after murdering his wife.
It is at the moment Kane and Lynch break free from the prison van transporting them that proceedings take off. Dazed and confused, you take control of Kane as he is led to safety by Lynch. The first mission and a half are mostly tutorial based; but from the start ones thing’s for sure, this is a violent videogame.
However, there are some great moments. One of Kane & Lynch's best comes when you must make your way through a Tokyo nightclub, getting past security before all hell breaks loose and clubbers are fleeing for their lives.
Another classic moment is when Kane and Lynch, and fellow team recruits force their way into an office block, taking everyone out as they make their exit again. The kill-count certainly adds up here.
The combat system thankfully doesn’t take too much getting used to, owing to the earlier tutorial missions. There are times when you might accidentally throw a grenade instead of shoot but it’s not exactly difficult to master. If there was a major complaint, it's that it could feel a bit more fluid.
However, it can get frustrating when you’re trying to aim at someone, as it takes a little longer than you’d like, which means getting hit by incoming bullets in the process. Seasoned gamers should have little trouble, with this, mind.
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One area most gamers will find frustrating is the AI of your team. During later levels Kane is able to give instruction to a range of gang members who follow him and Lynch around, helping the duo out.
It’s imperative to prevent any of your team from dying. But when worst comes to worst they don’t really do themselves any favours. Later on the group find themselves in Havana taking on an entire army and there are hordes of soldiers baying for your blood. It’s difficult enough on your own, but having to keep your team from getting themselves killed is both tasking and frustrating.
Speaking of teams, K&L allows two gamers to play co-op, one controlling Kane, the other Lynch. As fun as the single player mode can be, co-op delivers a more involving experience, as long as you don’t mind the split-screen.
Another mode, much heralded by makers IO interactive, is the ‘Fragile Alliance’ multiplayer mode.
As the name suggests ‘Fragile Alliance’ puts you into a small team whose individuals, including yourself, have a common goal such as robbing a bank. But in order to win you must escape with the loot. To do this you must work with other members of your team, before choosing the right moment to kill them and take the cash. It’s the classic winner takes all scenario, and I's great. IO Interactive deserves credit for trying something new here.
There is a lot of fun to be had in K&LDM. It may have its niggles here and there such as issues with the controls, and the AI of your teammates, but most of the time it’s a solid action thriller of a game.
The gameplay won't not win any awards for innovation; as all of the time is spent shooting, ducking behind cover and shooting some more. But for violence junkies the action rarely lets up and the impressive cut scenes, voice acting and story make for an immersive experience.
It’s probably not the last we’ve of Kane and Lynch either. With a full-length film rumoured to be in the pipeline it could be just that more difficult to forget this odd couple.
Verdict: 6.5/10
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