Ripten:
It used to be that if you were talking about open world crime simulators that there was Grand Theft Auto and everything else. Rockstar’s storied franchise was king, and it was unfathomable to think it could possibly be unseated. Today, there is most certainly a place for Claude, CJ, Niko and Tommy, but other developers are taking the core concepts and moving the genre in new exciting directions. Volition has done amazing things with Saints Row, creating a hilarious experience and filling a gap in the market with its hover bikes and giant purple marital aid weapons. Now, United Front Games is focusing on the oft-neglected melee piece of the equation, woven through rich storytelling and character development that makes Sleeping Dogs a must-play.
8/10
