Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition Review

You probably passed up on Sleeping Dogs upon its 1st launch back in 2012. This super underrated open-world action game set in Hong Kong surprised gamers who played it, due to its tightly written plot, immersive combat system and excellent world. Now that gamers have moved on to the next-generation of consoles, the game’s developer (United Front Games) have done a clean-up job with its much appreciated game.  In 2014, Sleeping Dogs has been given a new lease on life with this Definitive Edition.

Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition

This remastered version of the game does a fine job of improving the visuals to an impressive level. The crowded markets, dark alleyways, rambunctious crowds and hot rod’s existing in this game’s version of Hong Kong looks even more detailed. The rough graphical patches of the past-gen version of the game are practically existent. Venturing out into this game’s crime-filled world is a better experience thanks to the 1080p graphical fidelity and much improved textures. The added details of extra traffic and pedestrians is a cool but non-impactful addition, though.

Sleeping Dogs gameplay is still as strong as its initial version. For those who don’t know, you take control of Wei Shen, an undercover police officer who’s looking to take down the most volatile Honk Kong Triads. As you venture throughout this game’s murky underworld, you’ll get involved in multi-man melees as you fight for turf control and drive away rival gangs. The good cop persona of Shen will task you with aiding the police during criminal skirmishes, undercover stings and high-speed chases. For those who love the gang part of Shen’s lifestyle, the abundance of ever-changing missions are ripe with fun and plenty of replayability. Both sides of the law provides equally engaging modes of play.

Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition

Along with the excellent main story campaign, Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition comes with a host of much-needed extras. The two additional side story campaigns are present here, thankfully. The fantasy filled story campaign and good cop duty fulfillment missions are both fun in their own right. The tight fist to fist gameplay makes these missions and the main story campaign a very entertaining experience. The gunplay doesn’t falter behind the melee combat and the driving aesthetics control much better than some of its open-world gaming peers.  The extra DLC costumes are all present here as well.

While this Definitive Edition is nice to have, it’s notable upgrades honestly doesn’t make this game a worthy second purchase for those who have already played it. The improved visuals and full suite of DLC is fine, but it’s mostly worth checking out for franchise newcomers. The game itself is still a joy. Returning to it with this new re-launch won’t be much of a priority, though.

Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition

Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition does a great job of making the game’s gritty Hong Kong look even more amazing.  This game’s full package of DLC content is a worthy treat for first time investors, but it isn’t much of an important re-buy for those who have already taken down the Triads.


Images: United Front Games, Square Enix Games

Grizzly Pullz: New Comics for the Week of 10/15/2014

Welcome back to our weekly comic pull list! I love my weekly trips to the comic shop on Wednesday, but with so much coming out every week it can be a little overwhelming. So I will be sharing my picks of the week, every week, whether it is comics I am following religiously, or checking out for the first time. Whatever your taste, there will be something here for you!

Continue reading Grizzly Pullz: New Comics for the Week of 10/15/2014

Star Wars: Rebels – New Disney Show Gives Fans What They Want

When Disney bought out Lucasfilms and talks started about sequels and an animated series, fans were understandably nervous. What would the massive multi-media conglomerate do with our beloved characters, characters that shaped our own character? Star Wars: Rebels is easing some of those concerns. Continue reading Star Wars: Rebels – New Disney Show Gives Fans What They Want

Movie Trailers Roundup: Tomorrowland, American Sniper, Focus & Interstellar

There has been a lot of new movie trailers and teasers out in the last week, and we here at Grizzly Bomb want to make sure you’re all caught up with the latest ones. We got a couple of teasers for Brad Bird’s latest anticipated film Tomorrowland, Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper, as well as the latest trailer for Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar and Will Smith’s new movie Focus. So let’s all sit back, fire up YouTube and get to watching some good videos.

First off is Tomorrowland starring George Clooney and Britt Robertson and c0-written by Damon Lindelof (Lost) and Brad Bird. Not only has the movie been shrouded in secrecy since the genesis of the project, we’ve been getting teased here and there about its existence and connection to the Magic Kingdom attraction in Disney World. Well we finally got some answers with some publicity stills and a brand new teaser. Okay, we really didn’t get any answers at all, but I’m very intrigued. Having Brad Bird directing helps too seeing as he made a stellar transition from The Iron Giant and The Incredibles to live-action with Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.

So Britt Robertson discovers a pin that can transport her to another world and she sees on the horizon a futuristic city awaiting her. We also get a George Clooney voiceover and that’s pretty much it. Obviously the Disney part of it will factor in and that’s enough to sell me on it. The movie isn’t due until May 22nd, 2015 so I’m sure we’ll see more as times goes onward.

Next, we have Will Smith’s Focus. I love me some Will Smith, but the dude needs a good movie/hit. Focus could be that movie for him as he plays a con artist that recruits “intern” Margot Robbie (like you could forget her after The Wolf of Wall Street) and things obviously get complicated. The movie is written and directed by the duo of Glenn Ficara and John Requa (Bad Santa) so it’s got my attention.

The opening shot really sets the tone and piques your interest. Now, hopefully it won’t be some run of the mill con-man, con-woman, romantic tension filled thriller that seems way too predictable. I guess we’ll find out on February 27th, 2015 if Will Smith can recover some goodwill following After Earth.

Now we get to the movies that will see release this year and we’ll start with Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper. Based on the autobiography by Chris Kyle, this adaptation originally had Steven Spielberg set to direct before he bowed out for Clint Eastwood, and judging from the trailer below, we’re definitely going to be in good hands.

Bradley Cooper plays Chris Kyle and Sienna Miller plays his wife. Obviously from the movie, the tension is palpable as he has to make decisions to take out people, specifically women and children if they pose as a threat. Of course, these snap decisions have to be made on the spot, so just hearing the heartbeat as he decides whether or not he pulls the trigger is edge of your seat stuff. The movie will open on Christmas Day in selected cities for the award season push then go nationwide on January 16, 2014.

Last and most likely not least, is Christopher Nolan’s next big project, Interstellar. We’ve seen a few trailers already for the movie with the all-star cast that boasts the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain to name a few. We haven’t really gotten too many answers as to what the film is about, and this trailer seems to have peeled back a little bit of the curtain. The marketing of this reminds me of Inception, in that no one really knew what the movie was about until it finally came out. Hopefully this movie will be as impressive as Inception and the following trailer.

We know that the planet is dying and that McConaughey’s pilot is one of many tasked with trying to find hope for the remainder of the Earth’s population as they seem to slowly get engulfed by the dust bowl it has become. They have to go out of the galaxy to find a solution to Earth’s problem as he wrestles with the possibility of never seeing his children again. It seems to be a heavyweight of a movie and I’m sure will definitely be something to remember. The movie will get an early IMAX release for November 5th, 2014 before it rolls out nationwide on November 7th, 2014 for the rest of the masses.

With that, our movie trailers roundup has come to an end. Which ones are you most interested in? Which ones are going to get a pass? Let us know in the comments below or hit us up on Facebook on our Grizzly Bomb page!


Images: Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Walt Disney Pictures

 

The Evil Within: The Most Horrific Haunts

The Evil Within is going out of its way to actually frighten you. This survival horror game is all about the tense feeling you experienced during extended sessions of classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. The psychotic denizens who will chase you and try to rip your soul from your living frame are some of the scariest creatures in gaming history. We managed to speak with Shinji Mikami, the brains behind The Evil Within, who gave us a description of the creepy bastards who exist to make your life a living hell. Stop bein’ a lil’ punk and make sure you’re ready to combat these horrific haunts.

Ruvik

Voiced by Academy Award nominee Jackie Earle Haley, Ruvik is the main antagonist in The Evil Within. Shrouded in mystery and cloaked in a sinister hood, you never know when Ruvik will make an appearance.

The Evil Within

The Keeper

The Keeper came about a year and a half into development. He was nicknamed “Boxman” by the team and ultimately became a character that changed the look of The Evil Within and turned it into the game you see today.

The Evil Within

Laura Creature

The Laura Creature’s design was aiming to blend Japanese monsters with Western creatures, which resulted in putting her on all fours and having her move like a spider. Classic Japanese horror films inspired her look, as they usually feature creepy women with long, dark hair. The creature wears shoes in order to keep a piece of her humanity in her design, but we don’t recommend sticking around long enough to notice.

The Evil Wihin

The Haunted

Although sluggish, The Haunted are not to be trifled with. While all undead are called The Haunted, they vary visually and can be seen using various weapons.

The Evil Within