The original Kane and Lynch: Dead Men was good – but did it require a sequel? Well, the recently announced Bruce Willis and Jamie Foxx movie might have something to do with it. Whatever the reason, here it is – and, surprisingly, it’s better than the original.

The first thing you notice is the hand-held camera style, which plunges the player right into the middle of the action. Where the original riffed on Michael Mann movies, this one feels more like an episode of 24, and brings a breathless, desperate air to the gameplay. So much so that the player is left quite exhausted after a session. Highlights include a standout level where you begin naked and weapon­less on the streets of Shanghai (thankfully, some judicious use of pixilation spares any blushes). There is also a delic­ious vein of dark humour, mainly supplied by the psych­otic Lynch, who becomes more unhinged as the game progresses, muttering to himself during gun battles. There are also downsides. A shaky camera might help atmosphere, but it makes aiming difficult, while the levels can become repetitive during a longer session. The single-player game, though excellent, is very short, while online play is fun, but too limited in multiplayer options to tempt a player back very often. But, when all’s dead and done, Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days, despite its flaws, is a welcome return for these two horribly charismatic criminals.