When on a police mission, if you run into people or damage the environment, XP is taken away from that tree. Where the unique comes in is that ultimately, you may sway more to one side than the other, depending on your playstyle. Each of these are split into two sections, and as each level is earned, you’ll be able to unlock the next available skill in either section. Throughout the game, Shen will have to perform duties for both his gang and the police department, and as missions are completed, XP will be earned for the respective skill tree (Triad or Police). Back in Hong Kong, Shen’s job is to get in good with the Triad gang Sun On Yee (based on the real-life gang Sun Yee On) and ultimately take it down. You’re Wei Shen, a Hong Kong-born undercover cop that lived in America for so long that his accent is almost non-existent. What’s not so unique is its story, but it involves a not-so-unique mechanic that makes it unique (get that?). Those who enjoy open-world games such as the titles mentioned above will be pleased with Square Enix’s decision on this one, because Sleeping Dogs is a great game, offering just enough uniqueness to set itself apart from the games it’s going to inevitably be compared to time and time again. There have even been quotes from Square Enix calling Activision “crazy” for abandoning not only a game so far in its development cycle, but a game with such potential.
That’s what happened here when Square Enix first laid its eyes on the game, it’s been said that it was a done deal right from the get-go. What also happens on occasion is that another publisher will spot the diamond in the rough, inherit the project, and ultimately publish it. To the angst of gamers everywhere, with thoughts of what could have been, this happens often in game development. Some rumors state that the game was almost finished, and could even be completed by players in its current state. As time went on, and delays plagued the release, Activision gave up on the project. Hoping to reinvigorate the True Crime series, Activision had plans to merge United Front Games’ newest title into it – even going as far as announcing it and releasing a trailer (and eventually changing the naming to just “ True Crime“). You could say the development story around this game might be more interesting than the in-game story. With the success of open-world titles such as Grand Theft Auto, Saints Row and Just Cause, developer United Front Games had big hopes for True Crime: Hong Kong, set to be published by Activision. “ Winning isn’t everything, but you could at least pretend you’ve heard of it.“