Mark another one off for "Surprise of 2012" along with Spec ops because this game from what I've played is pretty damn good. My PC experience started off bumpy and still is bumpy (the game literally takes 8 minutes and 5 seconds to start). However, this may just be a steam thing but once you're in the game its really fun and they do the PC version justice with that texture pack, characters are a bit blocking but lighting and pretty much everything else is awesome. The game looks excellent on PC and runs great too (once you get in it). I'm plannin on writing something bigger up later but overall I'm really enjoying it, especially the hand to hand combat. Anyway, what do you guys think? I'm gonna add some screenshots I took to show off how good it looks on PC! 
 
 

Looks pretty rad. Shame that they thought it was a good idea to launch up against Darksiders 2 :(

@Zacagawea: They're pretty different experiences. Unless you consider an undercover Hong Kong policeman to be a horseman of the apocalypse. In which case you're a racist.

Nice, this next week is shaping up to be pretty awesome; Dust, Darksiders 2 and Sleeping Dogs!

So how is the gameplay? Does it play like every other open world crime game?

@Bwast said:

@Zacagawea: They're pretty different experiences. Unless you consider an undercover Hong Kong policeman to be a horseman of the apocalypse. In which case you're a racist.

Well yeah, what else would he be?

I won't get it right away, but it's interesting enough that I'll probably get it down the road, when I have more time for it.

going to have to toss a coin between this and DS2. pretty happy about which one i end up with because they both look great and i will play both.

I knew it from the start but no one listens to me. Can't wait to pick this up alongside DS2!

I have been enjoying it too on the PC. Giving it the DX11 treatment has been a nice bonus to those who have capable cards. The game does play like any other open-world crime game, but a couple of things make it stand out, which are the fighting and story (both which are fun). The setting alone also makes the game feel refreshing for this predictable genre.

So how is the gameplay? Does it play like every other open world crime game?

does the PC version have steamworks or gfwl or anything?

Darksiders 2 will be a load of shit, mark my words.

This game however, is the dogs bollocks - pick it up or pre-order it if you're Briton!

What are your specs, OP? What fps are you getting?

@Zacagawea: This will sell way more than Darksiders 2

What are your specs, OP? What fps are you getting?

@Jrinswand: Specs:

- I7 Ivy bridge

- GTX670 2GB VRAM

- 8GB RAM

- No liquid cooling, no overclocking

That's all you need to know. Everything is turn up max, except for AA (set to normal), and I get a steady average of 60 fps. Strangely, I don't think this game is very optimized for nVidia cards, seeing as how my card, along with many others, are producing high temperatures. It shouldn't be that hot, and I think performance should be a little higher.

does the PC version have steamworks or gfwl or anything?

Is this game as good as Kane & Lynch 2 running through the streets of Shanghai?

I knew it from the start but no one listens to me.

Like others I knew that this was always going to be a good game. Dark horse of the year for sure !

I have it installed, just waiting for the work day to end.

Is this game as good as Kane & Lynch 2 running through the streets of Shanghai?

Some Square fella said that Activision were crazy to not finish and release it, I expected those words to be PR, got proven wrong bigtime.
 
So first thought, "wtf activision" 

Second thought, "oh right games that sell less than three million copies in three months mean nothing to them"
 
:/

Honestly I can't see myself playing Darksiders 2 or Sleeping Dogs anytime soon cause I still playing a ton of Persona 4 Arena. It is a shame cause I thought they both look really cool but at the rate I am playing Persona 4, I will be done with that by the time the busy season comes so I may be able to get to these two games later on when they are cheaper.

I have it installed, just waiting for the work day to end.

I'm getting this sometime when it's cheaper, my eyes might deceive me but it looks generic as hell. Can't believe it's actually considered as good as it is, feels like it's a big prank and everyone but me is in on the joke.

Looks pretty awesome. Wish I had some money. :(

I'm cool with having a sleeper hit. I think I'll look into checking this out after the surprisingly positive buzz around it.

@JacDG said:

@mcderby4 said:

I knew it from the start but no one listens to me.

Ditto, well, ever since it was named Sleeping Dogs at least.

Well yeah, True Crime: Hong Kong? Lame.

Just curious: are the streets in the final product as desolate as they looked in the Quick Look? Because... Yeah, not really realistic.

@MrKlorox said:

How's the driving feel? More GTA4-ish and realistic? Or more Saint's Row-ish and arcadey?

Unfortunately they opted for the latter's driving model with terrible physics and no sense of weight.

I almost bought this, but I think 45 is still a bit much for what seems to be a "GTA-ish" game with admittedly cool-looking hand-to-hand combat. I'll definitely get it when it goes for cheaper.

Really enjoying the hand to hand combat in this game. It is like Batman without that weird glide to next counter effect so you can not spam on the counter button. I am only about an hour in so the story seems stereotypical so far. The driving is the lowest point so far. Although you do get used to the weird ramming mechanic, it just looks weird.

Yeah I'm going to be picking it up on pc as well, but I have to get Darksiders 2 first!

@Sackmanjones: How's the role-playing? Can you have an eventful day in the life of this guy without invoking any missions? Do you need to eat or rest or do anything else like that for basic survival? Do the crowds react realistically when you bump into someone, punch them, or pop off a few rounds? 
 
How's the driving feel? More GTA4-ish and realistic? Or more Saint's Row-ish and arcadey? How's the object pop-in at high speeds? Are you using an SSD or HDD?

Just curious: are the streets in the final product as desolate as they looked in the Quick Look? Because... Yeah, not really realistic.

@MrKlorox

Do you need to eat or rest or do anything else like that for basic survival?

So you can eat and drink stuff around the city. Those give you boosts like damage reduction and faster health regen etc etc. you don't HAVE TO do it but it's in your best interest too.

Does it have controller support? The Steam page doesn't mention anything.

Finally got my key from Greenmangaming, so I guess I might be able to play a bit tonight. Looking forward to checking it out.

@Sackmanjones said:

@MrKlorox

Do you need to eat or rest or do anything else like that for basic survival?

So you can eat and drink stuff around the city. Those give you boosts like damage reduction and faster health regen etc etc. you don't HAVE TO do it but it's in your best interest too.

That's probably the best way to handle that type of stuff for this game. Makes me think of potions in The Witcher. How is the difficulty by the way?
 
Have you opened up any side missions yet? If so, does it seem like they proceduralize at all, or does it seem like they have limited numbers?
 
It definitely sounds cool so far.

Does it have controller support? The Steam page doesn't mention anything.

Awesome. Definitely let us know if you start gaining permanent bonuses or any other facets of character building. The outfit sets make me think of Red Dead Redemption. It would be cool to be able to buy a thick leather jacket and suddenly be more resistant to damage when falling off a motorcycle, or athletic shoes that let you run faster but kick weaker. And be able to keep both bonuses while looking like a total tool.
 
And thanks for the info.

@Sackmanjones:

Thanks for posting your impressions and answering all these questions! It's making my work day go by faster to read these little tidbits rather than just jonesing to be home and playing Sleeping Dogs.

Would anyone recommend buying it? Darksiders 2 shouldn't come into because i'm definitely not buying that. Is this worth a rental instead or what?

I miss jumping into the windshield to steal cars, and although you can leap from car to another nearby car it is not as insane as in Saints Row. (Saints Row kind of spoiled me)

Played about an hour of it, The driving still feels good in the game, (just need to get used to traffic driving on the left side) the view distance while you're driving is great considering how much detail is in the city. They do thing in Saints Row where they show the turn arrows.