Kane & Lynch 2 Dog Days Review

Sadly very little is made of main protagonist Lynch's mental state. He's almost always shouting something that only an unhinged man would, but his unique characteristics don't translate into the gameplay. He appears to be gradually slipping more and more into an un-medicated, dangerous condition, but you wouldn't know if not for the one-liners and his actions in cutscenes.

A rather unsatisfactory ending to the psychotic double act's ordeal sours things somewhat. I was left expecting the pair to return to the screen after the closing credits, but there was nothing of the sort. There's no question that the door has been left open for a sequel, but that could have been done in a more satisfactory manner.

Co-op play, via split-screen or online, adds in an element of working together, but the only differences are enhanced flanking abilities and being able to revive your buddy if he's downed by enemy fire. Split-screen is also vastly inferior to online co-op, with the reduced viewing area seriously impacting the visibility of enemies.

The campaign feels a few hours short, but you do get a very decent multiplayer component, with game modes that test your skill with weapons as much as they do your morals. Stabbing people in the back for the riches is the idea, but it's not nearly as straightforward as you might think. I've only been able to test out the multiplayer through the solo Arcade mode and briefly against other people online, but the three game types on offer deliver some incredibly tense bouts of loyalty and backstabbing. Fragile Alliance, returning from the original game, is still the best mode, making players tread a fine line between being a complete git and a goody two shoes.

Another mode sees one player taking on the role of an undercover cop, trying to play as part of the team while sneakily taking out unsuspecting allies. It's a neat variation on the Fragile Alliance game mode, and makes for some of the most paranoid gaming on the market. Finally there's a more straight forward Cops Vs Robbers mode, which pits teams of six players against each other; the robbers must steal the loot, while the cops must defend it. Pretty simple stuff, but fun all the same. For more on the various game types, check out our multiplayer hands-on articles.

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is one of the most visually unique titles I've ever played, glossing over a fairly by the numbers third-person shooter. The deranged duo's return is worth experiencing and is far more accomplished than its predecessor, but the gameplay on offer still doesn't match the quality of the characters IO has created.