The brand new game from Hitman series creators Io Interactive promises to build on that franchise's unique breed of action gameplay. Although Eidos remains tight-lipped about the threads that tie the game's plot together, we do know that Kane and Lynch embarks on a twisted criminal adventure. The game pairs a brutal mercenary named Kane and his psychotic sidekick Lynch in their attempt to save themselves from being swallowed up by the criminal underworld. Through the course of the single player campaign, you'll take control of Kane; playing cooperatively with a buddy, you can have the option of controlling either character. Online multiplayer is in the works, but Eidos promises to reveal details at a later date.
Kane and Lynch largely aims to evolve the work IO Interactive did with the Hitman series. The mix of action, stealth, and even platform elements created a fluid, multifarious experience in that series that was widely acclaimed. As such, Kane and Lynch intends to extend this style of play with new high definition visuals and gameplay mechanics that allow you to actually live through the criminal machinations of the titular duo. In short, you'll commit all kinds of crimes from breaking and entering, blackmail and even murder through the course of the highly cinematic game.
We were walked through two levels: a nightclub packed with dancers and a high-rise office building at midday, both in Tokyo. The nightclub scene is an uncanny holdover from Hitman: Blood Money, although better technology has allowed for a more convincing environment with more dancers, volumetric smoke, and dynamic lighting. The objective put to Kane and Lynch was to stealthily reach Yoko's office, Kane's daughter. Upon reaching the office, Kane knocks Yoko unconscious in order for Lynch to carry her out of the club. Obviously, the hired help notices Yoko slung over Lynch's back and a firefight ensues. As Lynch rushes to exit the club, we watched the demonstrator wield Kane's pistols to clear the way.
From the chaotic shoot-out at the club, the demonstration shifted to the second level which started atop a tall skyscraper. Joined by a couple of other mercenaries, Kane and his deranged buddy Lynch are disguised as window cleaners in order to infiltrate a boardroom from the side of the building. Getting into the boardroom requires repelling down the side of the skyscraper, planting a bomb, and then rushing inside to grab an important suitcase.
Issuing commands to multiple characters seems easy enough on the Xbox 360 with a tap of X issuing a ‘form up’ order. You can have characters move to a point by pressing the B button. Additionally, individual commands can be given by holding Y. After Kane detonated the window bomb, a quick hit of the X button grouped the mercenaries together to quickly repel down and grab the suitcase. Bodyguards put up some resistance, although the automatic cover system made it easy for Kane to shield himself from incoming fire. It is worth noting that cover can be destroyed via a materials-based damage system, so wood will splinter under gunfire, whereas concrete will stand firm.
With the objective in hand, Kane and Lynch had to make it out of the building alive. A quick change into civilian clothes and the criminal compatriots headed down to the lobby, intending to sneak out without attracting any attention; on the contrary, they incite a huge show of force by the local police. Dozens of fleeing office workers made it difficult to shoot down officers, who were backed by a line of snipers in structures across the street. The entire scene was quite hectic, illustrating the incredible range of tone in the game.
Based on the two levels we saw, Kane and Lynch appears to be an adrenaline-pumped crime spree peppered with moments of stealth and occasional platforming. The enemy intelligence needs some polishing, but the rest of the game's elements are coming together nicely. We're looking forward to hearing details on multiplayer early in the fall, before the game’s current planned release date, sometime in November on the 360, PS3, and PC.
