(Please note: This game is reviewed as a summarised DLC, rather than regarding the game as new. To read the original review, click here)
Slowly becoming the trend for older/popular games, Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition has made the leap to Next Gen (More like current gen now) consoles. While the game still packs the amazing punch it had two years ago, most of the focus has definitely been on the graphics and the run-style of the game. Graphics, as per the norm, have been heavily updated and by far come the closest to reality I have personally seen. Water effects are truly mind boggling; the neon lights of Hong Kong shimmering on the waterfront as well as glistening off Wei himself as he stands in the rain is truly a gorgeous sight. It's sometimes hard to pull away from the look and feel of the game at times as the city comes to life, the promise of a fuller, more diverse Hong Kong has definitely been fulfilled, although I will admit the city seemed lacking of cars at times, especially on foot or looking for a cab.
Gameplay itself is still as fun as always (The driving mechanics and physics are however still just as wonky), the fighting and upgrade style just as simple but effective, with reflex reactions from enemies all the more better as they get a taste of Wei's bright purple skater shoes.
Customisation has been overloaded, while the Face system still holds down true customisation, but the extra missions are well worth the ability to dress up as a specific Sarif Industries employee or another certain Assassin. But enough about that, let's look at what the game adds: DLC.
Personally I never played the original DLC for the game, but in all honesty, what the game give in originality and comedy, it lacks in total gameplay, each add on, even with side missions adding only a few spare minutes to at most another hour or so. And while all the extra content adds new flavour to the overall experiences in one neat package, some are time locked until stoyline progression. At least in other Definitive or Redux titles such as Tomb Raider and Metro, content remains unlocked and free to play straight away. Of course, the major two DLC aren't linked to the story and can be played even if Weis isn't fully upgraded, but this was a mistake; Nightmare In North Point began with this badarse, evil character who was defeated in under an hour by a maxed out Wei.
In this reviewer's opinion, Sleeping Dogs made the leap a little too early to be called a proper "Definitive Edition.". Sure, all the DLC's there, but other than the graphics, nothing much else has been touched upon. With their biggest contender GTA 5 being released in just under a month's time on Next Gen consoles, there's not a lot to keep even hardcore fans hanging around for long; even they are shipping without Online Heists but still arguably more content than Sleeping Dogs presents.
Overall, there is much to enjoy in the Definitive Edition but just not enough to keep you around for the long run.
Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition: C+
Out now for the standard price of $80
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