What's on Shenji's Mind: A Treacherous Mecernary. A Schizophrenic Murderer. Two Deadmen

A minute and 13 seconds of the game's trailer, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men clearly reminded me of Michael Mann's Heat and Quentin Tarrantino Reservoir Dogs. With bad men dressed smartly in suits, strapped with a big black sack filled with cash and armed with assault rifles and shotguns getting ready to deal with a wave of police officers and SWAT team, it wasn't difficult to conclude that the game developers were trying to remake the good old days from Heat and Reservoir Dogs. Not long then, I bumped into a video game article regarding Kane & Lynch: Dead Men mentioning that the game will be featuring a Hollywood scripted story line which then aroused my interest. A month or two after the game was released in stores, every video game magazines and websites launched their review about the game and to my surprise the ratings varied largely among the different reviewers. Game Spot rated Kane & Lynch: Deadmen with 6 out of 10, Play Station Magazine concluded the game deserves 3.5 out of 5 and Game Trailers on the other hand mentioned that the game was worth the purchase with its ratings of 8 out of 10. Despite different ratings from one another, all of the reviewers agreed on one thing: the game play and the Enemy AI was mediocre. Although I have always emphasis a great importance of the game's storyline, having great game play should never be set aside when developing a game. As I knew that the game play was not top notch, I knew that Kane & Lynch: Dead Men was not worth my investment. But then again with the Hollywood scripted story line which has been tempting me from day 1, I reconsidered my actions of not purchasing the game. On the other hand, the flawed game play has been constantly reminding me that the game was not worth buying. Knowing that I am thrown in the middle of a conflict between the game's story line and game play, there was only one website which could aid me deeply in my final decision: YouTube. After looking for videos regarding Kane & Lynch: Dead Men , I clicked on those which featured the game play. Surprisingly, I find the game play to be okay according to my taste. Knowing that the game play wasn't as bad as what most critics concluded, I knew I had the green light to get the game. After 3 days of Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, I finally finished the game. As the credits rolled, I couldn't help but to applaud as the game was simply amazing.

The game revolves around 2 main characters, Kane and Lynch hence the title of the game. Adam Marcus or better known as Kane is a member of a powerful mercenary clan known as The 7. During his employment in The 7, Kane was constantly thrown into the battlefields of countries in turmoil and conflict, fighting for the highest bidder. A lucrative mission in Venezuela which was capable of setting The 7 for early retirement went horribly wrong resulting in the deaths of 25 Venezuelans. Apparently, the Venezuelans weren't the only casualty of the mishap as the entire members of The 7 were killed in action (what Kane thought to be). Fortunate for him, he survived the massacre and it was rumored that he escaped the bloodbath with a large amount of loot. Shortly after his return to the United States, he was arrested and found guilty of the manslaughter of 25 Venezuelans. He was sentenced to death and currently awaits transportation to death row. Long before his participation in the 7, Kane was divorced by his wife due to his carelessness in gun control which caused his son's life. He has a daughter as well and is currently under the custody of his ex-wife. Little is know about Lynch; his criminal history stated that he was found guilty of murdering his wife. Like Kane, he is sentenced to death and he is currently waiting for transportation to death row. Lynch displays all of the common characteristics of a schizophrenic. His mental illness forces him into random violent behaviors which only can be suppressed with constant medication. The characteristics of both Kane and Lynch indicates that they aren't everyday heroes. The opportunity to place the player's self into a sadistic criminal with potential of unimaginable violence provides a fresh alternative to games with protagonist heroes.

The story starts off after the arrest of Kane. Minutes before his transportation to death row, he writes a letter to his beloved and truly missed daughter. With little to say, Kane ends the letter quickly only to be escorted by prison guards to the prison truck bound for death row. Nothing much to regret except for the fact that he won't be able to see his daughter, Kane sits quietly in despair with the rest of the inmates who will be sharing Kane's similar fate. In the middle of his journey to death row, Lynch who was sitting next to him warned Kane to keep his head down and brace for impact. Just when Kane was about to ask why, their truck collided and crashed before a group of unknown mercenaries set them free. What thought to be a rescue mission turned out to be a kidnapping of Kane. Both Kane & Lynch were brought to a shopping mall which was still under construction to meet up with their captors. Struck with shock, Kane could not believe that his captors were the members of The 7 whom he thought were all killed during their mission in Venezuela. Filled with utmost anger and hatred for Kane, the members of The 7 seek redemption on Kane for leaving them to die and taking the group's reward. The 7 who has Kane's daughter and ex-wife hostage threatens Kane to retrieve the loot within 3 weeks or risk seeing his beloved daughter and ex-wife executed. With Lynch around, The 7 assigns him the task of reporting Kane's action from now and then. Unsure of the loot's location and with time running out, Kane is pitted against time to retrieve the loot or risk watching his beloved begging for their lives at the hollow tip of a gun.

The game play offered in Kane & Lynch: Dead Men isn't anything new, yet is still enjoyable. In the campaign mode filled with 16 chapters, you will be shooting your way through waves of enemies with a variety of real life weapons at the same time ordering your crew to perform certain actions like covering fire, taking out a target or moving to a specific position. Your mission objectives will be updated from time to time which forces you to wonder what surprise could there be later on in the game. With the objectives location indicator, it is nearly impossible to lose track of what you're obligated to perform. Many of the game reviewers mentioned that Kane & Lynch: Dead Men's weapon accuracy is flawed seeing that your bullets sometimes miss regardless of the zoomed in reticle's position on the enemy. This isn't bad seeing that realistically, bullets will not necessarily strike the targets given the consideration of weapon recoil, shooting position and wind movement; consequently, it should be viewed as a positive characteristic of promoting realism instead of flaw in the game play. The opportunity to conduct hand to hand combat at close distance isn't anything new or original, on the other hand, it is essential at times ( for instance, fighting your way in a crowded Tokyo night club hoping to take down the enemies without compromising the lives of innocent visitors who are running aimlessly in terror) and amazingly stylish. The crew command system is similar to those in the Special Forces genre like SOCOM or Rainbow Six Vegas. The system removes part of the player's burden when it come to fighting hordes of enemies with teammates executing their orders efficiently. With a friend around, the player and his or her friend are able to work together and shoot their way through 16 chapters in the campaign mode which is more enjoyable than playing alone. Foolish enemy AI according to the game reviewers is totally undeniable. However, most of the time, the enemies will know how to seek for cover and anticipate the player's movement. It is those rare occasions where the enemy foolishly walk towards your path without firing at you. Although the game play isn't new, nevertheless it provides a thrilling and solid experience for the players.

The graphics are great as well. This wouldn't be any surprise as IO Interactive, the developers of the Hitman series are responsible for developing the game. The environments are very detailed and the lightings are flawless. The game's texture is smooth and the character's model is strikingly sharp and detailed to perfection. The gun models are as accurate as the real ones which adds the realism to the game. The only flaw about its graphics is the explosion which looks like a mild burst of sparks instead of a real burst of fire.With its good graphics, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men pose a good choice for those who are fanatical about graphic quality.

Apart from the graphics, the game's soundtrack is another positive characteristics of the game. It throws players into a fast paced action packed movie setting throughout their game play. Different music scores goes along different scenes depending on the rate of the gun fights. Moments when no hostility is presence, a smooth trance-like music accompanies the scene which makes the game stylish. As enemies appear and the gun fight escalates, the theme transforms into a fast pace intense music which lets the player experience the adrenaline excitement of the action. The soundtrack of the game is another factor that contributes to the game's success.

Voice acting for Kane & Lynch: Dead Men is at its best. The dialog which is mostly accompany with the "f" word at the end shows that this game caters for the mature audience. Every word which is instilled with a variety of emotions like sarcasm, anger and sorrow authenticates the game giving it a Hollywood drama experience. It wouldn't be a surprise if Kane & Lynch: Dead Men becomes an inspiration for a crime drama or movie.

As the credits rolled, I couldn't help but to applaud as the game was simply amazing. Kane & Lynch: Dead Men isn't anything new or original in terms of its game play, nevertheless it provides a dynamic fast paced action experience for those who are addicted to the crime and action genre. With its unique storyline that leaves the players in shock and curiosity, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men is a must buy for those who appreciates a good story. The game should be awarded 8 out of 10 mostly for its Hollywood scripted story line, professional voice acting and a solid game play. Rumor has it that a film adaptation is in work under Lionsgate with Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Northon as the suggested cast of the infamous partners. Apart from that, Eidos have started working on a sequel for the game and it is rumored to be released around Christmas this year. The company hopes to make the Kane & Lynch: Dead Men franchise big.

The guy with the shotgun is the schizophrenic murderer, Lynch. The scar face roughing the poor lady is Kane. Apparently, the term "gentlemen" isn't in their dictionary.

A ruthless mercenary. A medicated psychopath. An alliance MADE IN HELL.

Taking cover is always important...unless you want to end up like that dead SWAT guy on the ground.

With such fire power delivered to the cops, the duos are determined not to go back to jail

Damn...SWAT's here...not good.

The Tokyo Night Club shoot out. This scene reminds me of Michael Mann's Collateral.

When window cleaners are on strike...

Rappelling will be essential during certain parts of the game.

You're not exactly Special Forces but if you cooperate like one, you'll be lethal and effective like one

Some missions will take place in the streets of Japan. Shown here is a Japanese police officer of the Special Assault Team who becomes the victim of Kane's slaughter.