Common Sense Media Review
By Brett Molina
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Vicious, violent, seedy shooter is poorly done.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
What's It About?
Hitman developer Io Interactive departs the world of stealth-based action for in-your-face crime drama with KANE & LYNCH: DEAD MEN, a very violent and unoriginal escapade. You control Kane, a lifelong criminal accused of betraying a mercenary group called The 7. The organization abducts his wife and children, threatening to kill them if he doesn't retrieve money they believe Kane stole. To ensure you finish the job, you're escorted by Lynch, a heavily-medicated psychotic.
Is It Any Good?
Kane & Lynch easily earns its mature rating, with ferocious, bloody attacks and an excessive use of swear words. Essentially a third-person shooter with some simple squad commands, it is an uninspired, frustrating action experience. For example, to jump into cover, you simply run up to an obstacle. Sounds easy enough, except you have to run into a wall or obstacle a couple times before you "click" into cover.
Targeting is just as irritating. Gunshots seem a hair off almost every time. Computer-controlled players prefer to play hide-and-seek rather than to engage in heated battles. Kane & Lynch showed promise with a strong story, but after a few levels it turns up dead on arrival.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the game's mature themes. What makes crime-based action titles so appealing? Is the excessive use of foul language necessary? Are violent games simple fantasy or do they desensitize players to levels of brutality? Kane eventually seeks revenge for the death of his wife. Is vengeance the answer when wronged?
Game Details
- Platforms : Xbox 360 , PlayStation 3
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Eidos Interactive
- Release date : November 14, 2007
- Genre : Third-Person Shooter
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : August 25, 2016
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate