Last month information surfaced on NeoGaf that Square Enix had filed for a trademark on “Sleeping Dogs.” Many presumed that this meant that another Kane & Lynch game would soon be forthcoming, as the last game in that series was subtitled, Dog Days. Fortunately for us, Square Enix has put those dogs down and has instead announced Sleeping Dogs as a brand new, open-world action game set in the streets of Hong Kong.
Sleeping Dogs puts the player in the shows of an undercover cop named Wei Shen. Shen has been saddled with the indomitable task of taking down the Hong Kong triads from the inside.
The open-world will offer players the opportunity to participate in street races, intense shoot-outs and will host a variety of different tasks that the sandbox genre is famous for. What may perhaps set Sleeping Dogs apart from the crowd is the focus on martial arts based combat.
“Sleeping Dogs has one of the best melee combat systems out there,” said Lee Singleton, general manager of Square Enix London Studios. “It’s super brutal with devastating takedown moves.”
Sleeping Dogs will be coming to the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC in the second half of 2012.
Press Release
SQUARE ENIX GOES UNDERCOVER WITH SLEEPING DOGS
Square Enix London Studios and United Front Games Bring Gritty, Open-World Action to the Streets of Hong Kong in Second Half of 2012
LOS ANGELES (Feb. 8, 2012) – Square Enix London Studios, a part of the Square Enix Group announces Sleeping Dogs™, a gritty open-world cop drama set in the vibrant city of Hong Kong. Developed by United Front Games in collaboration with Square Enix London Studios, Sleeping Dogs will be available in the second half of 2012 for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC.
Sleeping Dogs catapults players into the role of undercover cop Wei Shen, tasked with taking down one of the world’s most fearsome criminal organisations from the inside... the Hong Kong Triads. As players explore the bustling and crowded Hong Kong island, through its neon-lit side streets and sprawling street markets, an incredible story unfolds of loyalty and betrayal where Wei begins to question his own motives as he is sucked in deeper than he could ever imagine.
Offering players an island packed with action, every street corner, market stall, harbor dock or city skyscraper can become an opportunity for intense shoot-outs, adrenaline-fuelled street races and intense, brutal martial arts combat. Featuring one of the most intuitive and imaginative combat systems, Sleeping Dogs empowers players to perform an extensive set of martial arts moves, singlehandedly taking on numerous opponents. Players perform bone-crunching kicks and combos, vicious counters and a cinematic set of environmental takedowns making use of countless real-world items from circular saws to phone booths, incinerators to refrigerator doors.
“From the moment you pick up the controller and experience the blend of driving, close combat and shooting you know you’re playing something fresh and a bit special,” said Lee Singleton, general manager of Square Enix London Studios. “Sleeping Dogs has one of the best melee combat systems out there – it’s super brutal with devastating takedown moves, and when added to UFG’s proven heritage in driving games, a first class story and the vibrant backdrop of the Hong Kong underworld we get a fiery recipe with fun written all over it.”
“Working on Sleeping Dogs has been such a huge passion for the team at United Front Games and we’re really pleased to be working with Square Enix London Studios,” said Stephen Van Der Mescht, executive producer at United Front Games. “The extensive experience that both studios have in creating compelling open world gameplay and rich, rewarding combat makes for a perfect partnership. Working together we’re ensuring Sleeping Dogs is the most intense and immersive game it can be.”
Related Links
Sleeping Dogs Official homepage: http://www.sleepingdogs.net
Sleeping Dogs Official Facebook® page: http://www.facebook.com/SleepingDogsGame
About Square Enix London Studios
Square Enix London Studios is part of Square Enix Europe, sitting within Square Enix’ European head office in Wimbledon, South West London. The studio is focussed on bringing to market games from some of the world’s most successful and talented independent development teams. Previous games include award-winning titles such as BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM™ with Rocksteady Studios and JUST CAUSE® 2 with Avalanche Studios.
About Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix Group. The Square Enix Group operates a global network of leading development studios and boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 100 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 59 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at http://www.square-enix.com/na/.
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