Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days

Game review by Chad Sapieha, Common Sense Media
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 18+

Violent shooter stars remorseless, cop-killing psychopaths.

PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360 2010
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Parents say

age 16+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 15+

Based on 7 reviews

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  • Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days Game: Screenshot #1
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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is a gritty, violent, and visceral shooter that looks as though it has been filmed at street level with a handheld camera. Players take on the role of an utterly unlikable psychopathic criminal who kills countless cops, bad guys, and innocent civilians without remorse. The protagonists’ mouths are faucets for strong profanity, and there is one scene in which they are shown all but naked after having been tortured. It is a game clearly and explicitly created for adults.

Community Reviews

BrioCyrain
BrioCyrain Adult
May 6, 2012
age 17+

Reverse motivations

I say educational value because I feel this game has some reverse motives, they aren't try to teach you to be psychopaths, they are telling you not to be them through what happens with the characters.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Tom_Gamer_Tom
Tom_Gamer_Tom Adult
August 20, 2010
age 14+

Kane and Lynch = Bad language

After playing, Kane and Lynch...Dead men was it? I realised how much swearing there was in it and how much violence. After playing this, Its not as bad as before but the profanity is still far too high. The profanity is more of a concern than the large amounts of violence. I do not appreciate hearing the F word every ten seconds. The violence is in a large scale and gives out bad messages, Killing police isn't exactly the greatest role model in the world. Its really short too.. There is a few bits of torture and a whole lot of blood. The language and violence makes it mature.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
See all 2 parent reviews

What’s It About?

The follow-up to one of the more controversial games in recent years, KANE & LYNCH: DOG DAYS sees the return of the Kane, a remorseless mercenary, and Lynch, a balding, murderous psychopath, as antiheroes in an action-packed criminal adventure. The game is set in Shanghai where the duo tries to pull off one last big score together. It’s important to note that these are not criminals looking for redemption, but rather criminals being criminals -- killing police, civilians, and fellow villains to further their own agendas. The action is of the shooter-with-cover variety, and the online multiplayer modes basically pit cops against robbers as the latter tries to carry off a heist.

Is It Any Good?

The problem with this sequel is that, much like the first game, our heroes are hopelessly unlikeable. Other mature games starring criminals provide players with deeply conflicted characters who can turn on the charm when necessary; and while they’re ultimately bad guys, most players will sympathize with them. Play as sociopathic Lynch, on the other hand, and you’ll want to wash the hands that touch the gamepad used to control him.

The gorgeous graphics and jittery handheld camera shots nail the look and feel of lush Hollywood crime epics and create a vibe not entirely dissimilar to a Michael Mann film. Sadly, the combat doesn’t live up to the spectacle. The cover system, which forces players into sustained hiding while seemingly invincible enemies lay down fire and flank their sides, is unforgiving at best, frustrating at worst. There are plenty of good, mature-themed games starring rough-hewn antiheros. This just isn’t one of them.

Online interaction: This game features open voice chat in its online multiplayer modes, which opens the door to inappropriate language, verbal abuse, and the sharing of personal information. Common Sense Media does not recommend moderation-free online communication for pre-teens. We suggest using the parental controls built into game consoles to disable online communication features.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it means to play as a criminal in a game. Must such characters be unlikable? How can game designers go about making them more sympathetic? Should developers of such games make a point of somehow redeeming their protagonists by game’s end?

  • Families can also discuss the psychological repercussions of carrying out violent criminal violent acts in games. Is this sort of entertainment a safe outlet for dark fantasies? Why or why not?

Game Details

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