Kane & Lynch: Dead Men Review

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men 

Developer: Io-Interactive
Publisher: Eidos
Rating Guide: How I Review Games

Review:

They forced my hand.  I have to live with no remorse now.  I am a mercenary.  I am killer.  I must do what is necessary for her protection.  I have to save my daughter.  I am forced to hunt down The7 with all that I have in me.  Nothing will stop me.  No one will be able to hide.  I will not rest until the job is done or I die.  Nothing else matters except her.  With these hands and these guns, I will fight and kill. 

Who am I?  I am Kane.  This is my f***ing review on what it’s like being me. 

Kane & Lynch: Dead Mean

Graphics, Gameplay and Sound

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men is an in-your-face game that is true to what the rating implies.  It’s a mature title make no mistake about it.  My life as a mercenary isn’t for the weak let me assure you.  Bottom line is I don’t expect any priests to buy my story for their 9-year old kids.  Being part of an organization like The7 and having to hunt them down makes for an interesting tale best suited for someone who can handle it.  

You have your typical 3rd person shooter control scheme to get familiar with controlling me.  The R trigger is to shoot, click the R stick in to check your inventory of weapons.  You can use this to change weapons (or D-Pad for quick changing).  RB throws grenades, LB is to crouch or sneak.  You can also give a limited amount of commands to Lynch or any other felon on your team.  The X button orders your team to regroup around you.  The B button is a ‘move in’ command and the Y button is a ‘fire at my mark’ command.

I thought controlling my character was decent enough to get the job done.  At times I’d do a stupid freeze or fail to make cover properly but it was a minor thing I can handle.  My teammates or as they call it, the AI, was just ridiculous.  I don’t know how many damn times I’d be shooting Lynch in the back because he wouldn’t get out of the way.  There was also the crazy fact that most of my team would fail to look for their own cover when being shot.  They sat right in the middle of a road getting sprayed.  Go figure.  Who the hell does this?  I know Lynch is a psychopath but he’s gotta be smarter than that.

I was happy with the weapon selection although the grenades and rocket launcher were weak.  Tossing a grenade didn’t impress me at all so I mostly stuck to my guns.  Those up close head shots feel better anyway.  If I ever ran out of ammo, all I had to do was get with a teammate and they’d hook me up.

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men

When you die, Lynch or someone on my team would give me a shot of adrenaline to get back on my feet.  I did some things I’m not proud of but overdosing on morphine ain’t one of them.  This happens if I died too quickly and got fed another dose of adrenaline too fast.  My heart can’t take that much juice.  You’ll have to restart the scene or chapter after an overdose of too much adrenaline.  I guess it’s just a game so they gotta throw in some Hollywood flare.  How else can a person f***ing die and come back?

I was pretty much all over the place waging my wars in the city as well as in Havana decked out in full combat gear.  I had car chasing scenes, club scenes and wall-scaling scenes that let me do my thing in a variety of ways.  The night club was amongst my favorites as I navigated through the crowded club taking people out.  I didn’t care about the civilian casualties because that comes with the job.  And nothing was more important than killing the people responsible for taking my daughter.

The people looked like hell though which was disappointing.  Even I wasn’t as crisp as I would like to have been.  If you see my mug in person, you’d know I’m much more handsome.  Still, it didn’t take from the action which is what I’d expect from any game starring myself.  I’m all action with little time to play hero.  I come from a world of kill or be killed and playing myself was the same adrenaline rush I’m used to.

For what I’m capable of, they did a good job representing it but it wasn’t perfect.  I guess it’s a bonus I could do it solo or co-op.  Perhaps in any sequel they might let me kill a few more f***ing people.

Xbox Live Extras

Cops and robbers or in this case Fragile Alliance.  I didn’t star in this caper but I did play through it.  Why no Kane?  Who the hell knows.  Basically I was a part of a team full of other so-called mercs and together we had to grab some loot and stack our money.  The guy with the biggest pile of loot at the end got away with the win.  As with all heists or jobs you gotta watch out for the double cross.  The more I stole, the more likely it was that someone on my team would turn traitor on me and secure even more loot or rewards.

I always knew who did it though because the next round they would have a black shirt on or have their names in gold.  And believe me I gave them the proper payback every time even though being killed I would turn into a member of the fuzz, SWAT or some other law enforcement.  It was fun seeing the money drop from the pieces of **** as I shot them.

It was sweet times pulling off these online heists except for the dull environments and the small team I had.  I could only have 8 other mercs and we only had 4 places to get the job done.  Maybe next time they’ll give me more. 

This is the end of what it’s like to play a bad ass character like myself.  I’ll see you around in the sequel hopefully.

-Adam “Kane” Marcus  

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men

Conclusion

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men had a great story mixed with some real high strung moments that made it one of the more unique experiences out there.  I felt the chaos and revenge that I’m sure was intended when making such a grimey kind of game.  When you consider the two central characters and how much effort was put into defining them, you’ll understand the choices to make this game as in-your-face as they did.

I really felt the tension in some scenes and when I made it to the end, I felt the relief of getting away.  You can’t play this game expecting it to be anything other than what its story suggests.  You are Kane.  You’re a mercenary with little time to mess around and plenty of time to kill for your daughter’s life.  The online could’ve been something special though but it ended up falling short. 

If you’re in the market for some gritty action behind the eyes of a mercenary, this is your game.

[Update]5 Sequels That Should Be Made

8.0

About the Author

DeaconBlade

I sometimes go by the name "The Velvet Voice". I like sunshine, games and large amounts of money.

19 Responses to “Kane & Lynch: Dead Men Review”

  1. 1
    lawlhalla Says:
    Member has registered Member had enough luck to win Member is an international fan Has downloaded U360 content on Xbox Live Member is 200 contributor I gave, I am awesome. Look upon my Medal. 
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    Nice review Deac, especially the kane-twist ;)
    i dont agree on all points though, i’d be more into the 6,5-7 area.
    the game disappointed me pretty much. Though i have to say i didn’t play it that much, but did it at a friends house, just to see if i would get the game.


  2. 2
    DeaconBlade Says:

    well you gotta play it some more then lol. it’s pretty intense as you go.


  3. 3
    lawlhalla Says:
    Member has registered Member had enough luck to win Member is an international fan Has downloaded U360 content on Xbox Live Member is 200 contributor I gave, I am awesome. Look upon my Medal. 
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    yea, i’ll try and see if i can lend the game from him, in stead of having to go to him to play it.


  4. 4
    caleb Says:
    Member has registered Member has played at Unscripted Nights Member had enough luck to win Member accomplished a triple threat Member is a contributor of news & tips Community Playdate Participant 
    I gave, I am awesome. Look upon my Medal.

    Great review, you have re-ignited my intrest in this game. I’m going to check it out for sure now.


  5. 5
    dionysusolympus Says:

    you’ve confirmed all the other reviews that i read. yeah, I heard the AI control is based on Freedom Fighters controls, and unfortunately, they didn’t improve the AI of your own squad. So, I guess this game will have to hit the Platinum Hits before I get it.

  6. 6
    Goon360 Says:
    Member has registered Member accomplished a triple threat Member had enough luck to win Member is 200 contributor Member has played at Unscripted Nights Guest appearance on show 
    Member is a contributor of news & tips Went beyond 15,000 Gamerscore The Puzzler Community Playdate Participant Went insane & reached 50,000 Gamerscore

    This game really could have benefited from online coop.Splitscreen only?? pfft what is this 98? The game is built for that coop experience and I’m looking forward to playing it again on hard with a friend soon…even though we have to share the screen meh!
    I really dug the scenarios to. The night club level was definitely the highlight of the game. If you can look pass the wonky controls and spotty AI, the game really is enjoyable.


  7. 7
    DRPOOLIPS423 Says:

    I agree on the 8. It is a good game, but there are definitely some mechanical errors i.e. aiming, A.I., the cover system, and the weird controls.

  8. 8
    Rhyme Says:
    Member has registered Member accomplished a triple threat Guest appearance on show Member had enough luck to win Member has played at Unscripted Nights The Puzzler 
    Member has U360 Showcase Member is 200 contributor Went beyond 15,000 Gamerscore RE5 Red Elite Owner I gave, I am awesome. Look upon my Medal. Went insane & reached 50,000 Gamerscore

    That was a F***ing good review man LOL.
    Nice job. I might check it out.


  9. 9
    Deejay Knight Says:
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    Badass review, Deac (Kane)! Twists are always badass, lol.

    I’m definitely interested in this one, but haven’t had the chance to get my hands on it. I really want to try out that multiplayer as well. :D


  10. 10
    DeaconBlade Says:

    i’m a man of twists…gotta keep the readers entertained ;)


  11. 11
    Unscripted 360 » Holiday 2007 Gamer’s Guide Says:

    [...] Kane & Lynch: Dead Men Review [...]

  12. 12
    Brikz3488 Says:

    Nice Job! Definitely a creative review. Still not sure about putting it in my Q yet, but not many new games on the horizon until 2008, so always a possibility.

  13. 13
    DeaconBlade Says:

    yeah Q it up man..it’s a solid play through if you play it like you’re Kane ;)


  14. 14
    IRISHprik411 Says:

    totally agree Goon…this game is based on two unique characters so it only makes sense to have online co-op (this is the next gen and there is NO excuse it wasnt included)..I would have been very interested in this game had it been this way…without it, it will be swept under the rug for a long time…lol…

    a nice review however Deac… [B]

  15. 15
    Pvt Jokar Says:
    Member has registered Member had enough luck to win Member has played at Unscripted Nights Member is 200 contributor Member accomplished a triple threat Guest appearance on show 
    Original Gangsta when U360 debuted Went beyond 15,000 Gamerscore

    been looking forward to your review, and so it has arrived. seems it didn’t disappoint too much…may just rent it though. Kane, you sure do one good review;)


  16. 16
    DeaconBlade Says:

    lol @ Jokar. who knew Kane would be so eloqent haha


  17. 17
    Unscripted 360 » 5 Sequels That Should Be Made Says:

    [...] & Lynch: Dead Men gave me some pretty good moments mixed with what I believe was a foundation for two pretty interesting characters.  With more of a [...]

  18. 18
    Unscripted 360 » Bruce Willis in Kane & Lynch Movie Says:

    [...] week than news of Bruce Willis slated to star as Kane in the upcoming movie based on the video game Kane & Lynch: Dead Men.  Maybe it’s not a proper start but I picked it anyway because Bruce actually makes a [...]

  19. 19
    Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, I’m Psychic Says:

    [...] Once Bullet Witch 2 gets announced it’ll be a direct war between Miss Cleo and me.  I enjoyed the first game and may even throw it in again to finally finish it.  (hey I’m bad at finishing [...]

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