Reviews
IO Interactive has been giving us tantalising looks at Kane and Lynch Dead Men over the past few months which has whet the appetite of gamers looking for something a little rough around the edges. But with so much happening at this time of the year, can Kane and Lynch hold their own against the tide of top releases?
In Kane and Lynch: Dead Men, you follow the main character Kane as he and Lynch escape from their transportation to death row thanks to the interference of a crime syndicate called the 7. Kane is brought before a crime boss and told that his wife and child are being held hostage until some merchandise is returned to him. Lynch’s initial role in this is to be the eyes and ears of the 7 and to call in every evening with reports. It’s definitely a departure from the ‘clear your name’ approach as you become immersed in the sordid criminal underworld as a convicted criminal as opposed to an unfortunate victim of chance.
Kane and Lynch: Dead Men has a very unique flavour. To say that this game is gritty would be like saying the Pope is fond of saying the odd prayer. It is a dark game in that you are not out to prove your innocence as there is no doubt about your guilt of the crimes you have committed. Your objective is to ensure the safety of your family, more specifically your daughter, from the clutches of the 7, and this is the only unsullied and noble ideal in the entire game. Both Kane and Lynch are protagonists that are blemished but believable and the dialog between the two men is fascinating. It is not a game for those with delicate sensibilities. The main protagonists swear like fish wives and your partner in crime (Lynch) seems to have a mental affliction whereby he blacks out and kills anything that moves. Innocent civilians, security guards and police officers will meet their end at your hand. It is important to note that this is not done in a way that is setting out to shock and be controversial for the sake of it. The plot is frenetic and plays somewhat like a Tarantino movie, though at times gets a little far fetched. The story unfolds as you lurch from one objective to another which seem close enough together to keep you on your toes, and all the while you hear Kane and Lynch having conversations that further advance the story. The characters are believable which goes a long way to setting the tone. The tension in the game is palpable and the pace relentless. There is a sense of anxiety when playing as you feel somewhat carried away by the events happening both around you and to you and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep your attention throughout.
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