Wei Shen has been through so much since the “Sleeping Dogs” main story ended. Wei has battled the undead in order to save his girlfriend in the Nightmare in North Point downloadable content (DLC) and has been in a major martial arts tournament in the Zodiac Tournament DLC but the player has never really seen Wei Shen take responsibility for his undercover exploits, until now.

In the latest DLC, The Year of the Snake, Shen’s bosses are very upset at all the property damage and casualties that were caused during his time working undercover and demote him to a regular officer. Here, Shen must follow orders, help citizens and even give out traffic tickets. While amusing to see Shen’s aggravation at being demoted, is the DLC worth the money and more importantly the time?

The Year of the Snake is the first of the DLC packs to actually promise to follow Wei Shen after the initial story, unlike Nightmare in North Point which could have easily taken place in the middle of the main story. This story begins before the Chinese New Year and Shen has been called to investigate some strange happenings going on around Hong Kong. Several bombings have been taking place and it is up to Shen to find out who is behind it and why, before the New Year.

The Year of the Snake contains roughly six missions along with new collectibles, trophies/achievements and weapons. For each mission accomplished, the clothes, weapons or vehicles that are unlocked may be used within the main story. As Wei Shen must settle down as a regular cop, so too must the player. You cannot simply beat down assailants as an officer, but you can tase them or beat them with a baton before arresting them. Moreover, if a riot starts Wei Shen can tear gas the entire crowd to gain back control. These weapons provide a new experience to an already great game.

Despite becoming an officer in Hong Kong and having the ability to tase criminals, there really is not much else to this DLC. Seeing Wei Shen punished for his handling of his undercover work was satisfying but that is all there is to it. As a final ending for the “Sleeping Dogs” main story, it is lacking but then again the main story’s ending was very anticlimactic as well, so you get what you pay for. There aren’t any twist ending or surprises, just Wei Shen dealing with being demoted.

Rating – 4/5: The Year of the Snake is a short but sweet DLC which provides a realistic consequence for Shen’s actions during the main story and gives the player a new angle to play from after tormenting Hong Kong as a gangster. This DLC is worth the money for the liberties one can take as a cop, however in the end, you will want to go back to being undercover because being a member of the Triad is still much more fun. The Year of the Snake is available for the PlayStation 3 ($6.99 USD), Xbox 360 (560 Microsoft Points) and Steam ($6.99 USD).

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With the holidays just around the corner – or passing for those who celebrate Chanukah – everyone is trying to find that perfect gift. However, if that perfect gift is a video game, it may be a little difficult to determine just which game from 2012 or 2011 to choose. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Assassin’s Creed III are great choices, but also rather expensive. Instead, here are some games in the $30 to $50 range that are definitely worth having.

Sleeping Dogs is a game that is available for PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. In this gritty drama the player is Wei Shen, an undercover cop in Hong Kong, who is trying to take down a gang known as the Triads from the inside. However, in order to gain trust and climb his way up the Triad ranks, Wei Shen must take part in their criminal activities. Throughout the game the player is able to explore the city of Hong Kong both on foot and through driving vehicles. Sleeping Dogs got an average 9.2 rating out of 10 on Gamestop’s website.

Resident Evil 6 is the latest incarnation of the zombie-ridden video game series and can be purchased for PC, Xbox 360 or Playstation 3. Several things have been changed since the previous games. There are several new characters, four new ones in total, with two recurring characters: Leon S. Kennedy and Chris Redfield. Additionally, the location and scale of the game has changed. Now, instead of being limited to one location the gameplay is global, taking the players to North America, Europe, and China.

Resident Evil 6 has great co-op opportunities – just as Resident Evil 5 did – so that two players can play together both online and offline. This feature is a definite benefit since the zombies are now more agile and able to use weapons, making them even more of a threat. Additionally, mutant creatures will be formed by the outbreak of the C-virus, creating more unpredictability. Ultimately, the game has gotten bad reviews but there are many new features and it is the next part of the franchise.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is also the most recent game in its franchise, but it has gotten excellent reviews ever since its release in 2011. This incarnation is set 200 years after Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and much has changed in the world of Tamriel, both in the story and in game play. Skyrim has a new combat system, new graphics, and a whole open world to explore. The player can also affect the direction of the story; if the player kills an important character that character’s family will try to hunt him or her down, giving the world a very realistic spin. Playing Skyrim is like having another life in a magical world. Skyrim can be purchased from Gamestop, pre-owned for the Playstation 3 or Xbox 360.

Another fantastic game that some players may have regrettably missed is Batman: Arkham City. This game is available on PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 and has gotten incredible reviews. Similar to Skyrim, this latest Batman video game allows the player to explore an entire city while also fighting several different enemies such as the Joker, the Riddler, and Harley Quinn. The gaming world in Arkham city is five times the size of the previous gaming world in Batman: Arkham Asylum. With a 10 out of 10 from ‘Game Informer’ and a 9.4 out of 10 from GameStop customers, this game is a can’t miss for any gamer.

The last game that was particularly noteworthy for the 2011 to 2012 year is Rayman Origins. This game is a great platformer for kids and adults with incredible graphics and sound integrated into the game play. For example, for some of the levels the characters jump off of musical instruments, creating their own music as they jump their way through the world. The game is available for almost every system including Playstation 3, the PS Vita, PC, and Nintendo 3DS.

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In many games, especially those in the action, adventure and role playing genres, character growth, mission variety and storytelling are two critical components of the game. It is what draws players towards a character and enhances gameplay experiences.

The storyline is one of the essential positive marks of the “Sleeping Dogs,” bringing to life characters that are relatable and memorable. The Son On Yee is a brotherhood; those that betray it are likewise treated to lethal punishments. Already suspected of a traitor in their midst, Wei Shen is tested time and time again for his loyalty and skills. Players will sweat through initiation fights as well as early missions, struggling with little money or respect.

The player’s journey as a cop and triad living dual lives will draw them further and deeper into the life of a triad gang member than ever before. In the triad, nothing is as safe as it used to be and the gamer gets a sense that change is coming. As one character in the upper echelons of the Son On Yee remarks, there were days when honor and brotherhood meant much more than it does now.

His rise in the Son On Yee hierarchy feels organic and yet also scripted. The journey feels pretty natural for a man to return to his hometown and reconnect with people from his past. Wei Shen had a past with the Son On Yee through the death of his sister and another member before he left for America. Still, due to an eventual power vacuum, Wei Shen has the chance to rise quickly in status and favor. He makes allies where he can and takes out the competition of a rival triad gang, even against the orders of his superiors.

The story does feel a tad scripted, since his rise to fame is fast for gamers who play through the main storyline missions one after the other without doing any of the side missions. Not long after Wei arrives and starts making waves, he has a chance to prove himself. What is not expected is that there aren’t harder ways to test for Wei Shen’s loyalty than for him to kill a man. This seemed too easy, which is why the side missions add immensely to the overall gameplay of “Sleeping Dogs “as well.

The side missions themselves offer a great deal of variety. There are the aforementioned street races, but also favors for other members of the Son On Yee to gain face or Cop points as well. These optional side missions are fairly standard but are still entertaining since they add to the length of gameplay. They add to the Triad and Cop points that can help open up the later abilities on the skill tree. The triad points are, thankfully, easier to attain and much more useful in a fight.

The gamer can also go about the city of Hong Kong to retrieve either lockboxes full of cash, visit the various health shrines to increase the overall health bar of Wei Shen, or look for the Jade statues to upgrade melee attacks. These side missions show the game to be an intelligently designed game. For example, the health upgrades don’t happen at a certain level, you control when that happens by finding the health shrines. A few of these shrines are locked behind areas that have to be opened during the main storyline but many of these shrines are available during the early stages of the game.

Additionally, the game shows the same level of dedication when upgrading melee attacks, leaving the player free to access most of the Jade statues. Many of these 12 Jade statues, shaped to follow the Chinese Zodiac, will be open to early retrieval by the player. The last three attacks on the melee skill tree are a life saver in combat.

Getting at those lock boxes are also fun. Many of them are guarded, including cops or gang members. Some of the lockboxes, especially those with higher denominations, will have a combination lock that needs some finesse and patience to open. Gang members will be guarding these lockboxes on foot most of the time while the cops will chase you down in their cars if you steal an armored truck full of money.

The most important side missions are the ones that increase Face, or respect. As the gamer explores Hong Kong, certain sections will yield nicer clothing and cars to purchase; some of these items are locked behind a prerequisite amount of money and face. Some of these items have melee or monetary bonuses and enhance the players overall gaming experience. There is sufficient variety to keep the player entertained for 12 plus hours of side mission gameplay outside of the storyline’s 31 main missions.

As the main storyline continues, the player finds themselves drawn into the ending of this story and the sense of divided loyalty. As a cop Wei Shen should have been glad that he’s taken down key members of the Son On Yee, but at the same time he knows that those who replace the Son On Yee will be worse people. Likewise, as a triad Wei also knows the value of brotherhood and feels a sense of responsibility for them.  This wonderful psychological dilemma is what plagues gamers as they come to the close of the game. In essence, the player has become Wei Shen, fully stepping into his shoes after spending so many long hours with his character and mannerism. Excitement mounts as the last cut scene is played and all questions are answered. The game has a lot of potential, almost all of it achieved.

“Sleeping Dogs” has flown under the radar for much of its launch. Fans that have followed it since the announcements taut its awesome gameplay while newcomers to the game marvel at the authenticity. “Sleeping Dogs” becomes more than just the sum of its parts, growing into a life changing and enriching experience for gamers. There is a storyline that tugs at the heartstrings while also showing gamers the wealth of cultural differences that exist in the Chinese speaking world. More than a game, this is an expression of true life.

Rating: 4.5/5 For an enriching experience that is eye opening and inspiring. Graphics and combat may be run of the mill but the storyline and overall gameplay are outstandingly well crafted. Replay value is good, which gives this game that extra push into the almost perfect category. 

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The first 12 hours of “Sleeping Dogs” requires some planning and patience to get the best gaming experience out of the underworld crime environment of Hong Kong. As a lowly foot soldier in the Son On Yee Triad, you will need to work your way up, gaining face, money and melee skills as you progress through the story. That does not mean that a gamer must stick to the script, after all “Sleeping Dogs” is full of short cuts and other tricks to help enhance the experience. Here are just a few to get  a gamer started on their way to the top in the Son On Yee.

1. Fast bikes=Fast death

Right off the bat you get a motorcycle and while that is very cool, it’s also very foolish. The bike is plenty fast but the first time you hit a car and go flying, reality hits, as you take damage upon landing. Instead, steal cars at the red light if you must. Then wait for the Chop Shop to open in the southern part of Hong Kong near Yau Ling Park. This is called the North Point Chop Shop and those cars are cheaper and faster than the one’s at the regular automobile lot.

2. Item advantages

It doesn’t matter how ugly something is to wear, wear it if it provides some melee or face benefits. 5% melee extra damage is very little on the face of it, but combined with two or three stacking 5% melee items and it makes a difference. You can even have Wei Shen walking around in his underwear but that is not suggested since it gives no advantages whatsoever.

3. Race car waiting game

Everyone wants a fast car but in this case, patience is key. Wait to buy a race car if you must, the Hong Kong Police Department provides one for the first race you are roped into. The saddest part though? You will only be allowed to use that one but it means your competitors don’t change cars either. You can then use this car for driving around Hong Kong even when you are not racing; much faster than running.

4. Early preparations

Start wandering the city early on and get the lockboxes and health shrines as soon as you can. Be as helpful as possible to your people and build face points at a constant rate. These things will help you develop your life, respect and cash value early on. Do this and you will have better vehicles and clothing options at every turn of the game.

5. Money, money, money

Strapped for cash? Hit up some of the meters on the street for quick cash here and there. The best part is that they do not take of cop points when you damage the meters. Just make sure you do not hit any civilians or nearby cops. Another way is to attack the armored cars which does result in a quick cop chase but is easy to defeat. You are better off defeating them than outrunning them.

6. Juicing up is only for games

Before a big fight or when you have died or quit the mission, take an energy drink or a health generation items in the form of street food to provide that extra edge you need in combat. Then fight hard and fight fast. Do not ignore these items, they last quite a while and help a lot.

7. Hackers skills

There are missions where there are numerical locks for the hacking of cameras with a four digit code. A discerning gamer should pay attention to the coloring of the numbers because green means it’s good, red means it’s the wrong number and yellow means you have the right number in the wrong position. Get it wrong 6 times and you will have to start all over with different numbers.

8. Stun attacks are underrated.

They give you much needed breathing room while you are being choked and could provide that fraction of a second needed to survive the fight. Learn them well and upgrade them on the skill tree. They are hard to execute but feel amazing to perform. Plus you will earn points and intimidate your enemies.

9. Grapple attacks give breathing room

Grapple attacks against an opponent do not leave you open to attack from behind some of the time, so take advantage of this fact when you fight. You must deal with thugs but nowhere does it say you must deal with them all at once. Additionally, grappling opens up a whole network of combat options from environmental attacks to arm and leg breaks.

10. Strategic retreat is smart

For enclosed combat, there are specific areas where thugs will not go. Perhaps this was designed on purpose to give players some breathing room. One strategy once you enter this zone is to create a bottleneck at the entrance of this zone and take care of the thugs one by one with or without a weapon. Another, such as in the ground floor of Club Bam Bam, has a glass divider about knee high. You can jump over it but thugs cannot. Fighting from behind this barrier with knees and kicks will whittle down your number of enemies before taking them on one by one.

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The summer season for games is not as expansive as the winter releases, but the August game releases include some of the biggest games coming out for the summer season: a new Mario game on the horizon, a sequel to the popular Transformers game, and an introduction to the next Square Enix game Sleeping Dogs. The August game releases show much promise to some exciting games.

Action

8/7 Persona 4 Arena (PS3, Xbox 360)

8/14 Darksiders II (PS3, Xbox 360)

8/14 Sleeping Dogs (PS3, Xbox 360)

8/19 New Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo 3DS)

8/21 Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (PS3, Xbox 360)

8/28 Damage Inc. Pacific Squadron (PS3, Xbox 360)

8/28 Ratchet & Clank Collection (PS3)

8/28 Journey Collector’s Edition (PS3)

Persona 4 Arena is a new take on ATLUS’ most popular game franchise. ATLUS is taking the characters from Persona 4 and putting them into a fighting game. Each character will have special moves and combos based on their focal traits from the RPG, and there will be various levels that will showcase some of the scenes from the RPG. Persona 4 Arena was actually a Japanese Arcade game, but due to the dying arcade franchises in the US, the Arcade game was never released in the States, but instead has been turned into a console game.

Sleeping Dogs is a new game by Square Enix, and with the financial success of Deus Ex and Final Fantasy 13-2, Square Enix is looking to further success with a new franchise. The game focuses on the player playing as an undercover cop in Hong Kong to take on the Triads in a Grand Theft Auto style open-world city. The style garnered high appeal at E3.

New Super Mario Bros. 2 is the continuation of the revamped side-scrolling Mario adventure. This is the 3DS version of the New Super Mario Bros. series, with the console New Super Mario Bros. game to come out for the Wii U later this year. The game  is all about collecting coins, with new powers and game modes which focus entirely on collecting coins. So instead of just going around to collect the most 1-Ups you could possibly get, players must now compete to see who can collect the most coins.

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron is the sequel to the successful Transformers: War for Cybertron. The game brings in more expansive levels for the game missions and multiplayer maps and also introduces a few new features to the game. The online mode customization is back and more expansive with new transforming abilities and weapons to pick and choose from, and the game also features the ability for players to transform into dinobots.

RPG

8/14 The Last Story (Nintendo Wii)

8/28 Guild Wars 2 (PC)

Guild Wars 2 brings back the popular MMO to the forefront in this new installment. With the human race in decline, different species have starting coming out to the forefront to strive and take over humanity. Guild Wars 2 introduces an in-depth story being told through the game in which every action the player takes leads to changes in future events. The game also includes a new action-oriented combat system to change the combat flow from your typical RPG to a more faced paced combat feel.

With the addition of a Player Vs. Player mode, Guild Wars 2 also has a World Vs. World mode, in which hundreds of players compete for domination over various expansive maps in one large scale battle. The game also does not have a subscription fee in-order to play the game, so once the game has been purchased, the player can jump right in without having to pay for a subscription in order to play the game, as most MMOs require now.

Sports

8/28 Madden NFL 13 (Nintendo Wii, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox 360)

Madden NFL 13 truly seems to be the next generation in sports games. The game features a new physics engine powered by the infinity engine, a massive connected Career network, and Madden Social which adds a more unique experience with challenging against your friends. The game also introduces the Madden Ultimate Team, which allows players to build their own team by using both NFL and fantasy players.

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