I’ve been looking forward to the finished version of Kane & Lynch for a long time. Although the preview versions already revealed that the graphics rarely exude next-gen flair, the faces of the two guys were nicely modeled. What was particularly appealing was the story, which was cleverly woven into the gameplay. Now the finished game is here and confirms the mixed feelings: graphics and animations are still reminiscent of a good PS2 title, the AI, which has been criticized several times, isn’t really convincing in the final version either.
In the overall context, the bloody story about two men sentenced to death is even more captivating. Constantly on the run from the police, Kane tries to find a diamond treasure that will save his family’s life. Behind this cruel deal is the secret organization The 7, which has hired the schizophrenic Lynch as a watchdog. Since the two are constantly arguing between street fights, chases and disco visits, the result is an extremely gripping narrative, with the story gaining speed through rapid changes of scenery. Before a scenario gets boring, you’re already somewhere else and lead is flying through the air – that’s great action cinema!
So much for what makes Kane & Lynch special. Unfortunately, the Hitman makers didn’t pay enough attention to the gameplay content, which occasionally leads to quirks: Although your crosshairs are on the opponent, you often only hit the window frame behind which you took cover.
I also have to reveal one part of the game here, because otherwise you won’t be happy with Kane & Lynch: In a mission you are asked to kill the driver of a truck, Kane is on a construction site. To do this, be sure to stand on the minibus next to the pit where your daughter is crouching. From there, shoot at the front window of the truck, preferably with a machine gun, at some point it will burst – like many other gamers in internet forums, it took me more than 30 attempts to manage this nerve passage.
Despite the playful inconsistencies, the excitingly told story à la “Heat” keeps you motivated until the end. Co-op mode works well, but doesn’t run online. The multiplayer part “Fragile Alliance” ensures a lot of fun: Rob banks as a team, share the loot or stab each other in the back and return to the match as a police officer after you die.
