Sleeping Dogs – was a HD re-release really necessary?

A reader is unimpressed by rumours of a Sleeping Dogs HD update and insists that PC gaming requires no such double-dipping.

I’m against the idea of re-releasing, whether it be just porting to the next generation or making the game look prettier too. If you already own the game on Xbox 360 paying for it again on the Xbone is completely unnecessary. Maybe have an optional HD DLC pack like on most PC games and have the new consoles properly backwards compatible, i.e. with discs and without repurchasing. But of course, that wouldn’t be nearly as profitable, now would it?



Why does Sleeping Dogs need a HD re-release on consoles? It doesn’t. Nothing does. But Sleeping Dogs was a highly rated game with a metascore of 81/100. It was good. The surroundings were vibrant and it was fun to play. Still is. It had a high res texture pack official release on PC, so why not make some extra cash by putting this on consoles?

Is not the main draw of better hardware shinier graphics? It’s just how the industry works. Where’s the bells and whistles version of Skyrim? Why, it’s on PC of course, complete with a free high res official texture pack and a whole lot of great mods available on top of that.


Now, I’m not going to start chanting ‘PC master race’, but you’re bound to get this exploitative money grabbing on consoles. If you want true backwards compatibility going back generations of consoles, incredibly cheap new games and user-created content, you needn’t look further than the PC. It may be expensive short term, but honestly who doesn’t have a PC?

I haven’t upgraded in six years and still play everything on medium to high. Not great, but an upgrade needn’t be replacing the entire system. It can be fairly cheap. Cheaper than a console and better looking. With Steam too, of course the games make it much cheaper long-term too. If you want a cheaper system short term that’s more suited to the living room, feel free to pick up a console.

Know that with Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo restricting your systems and games, unlike on PC, and greedy re-releases due to lack of proper backwards compatibility, along with ridiculous Xbox Live subscription services on Xbox systems (eased by the free games now, of course), you’re bound to run into things you may not agree with.

PC is just overall much more appealing to me and you should kind of expect this kind of thing when you get a console. Hey, at least you don’t have to wait as long for big franchises like GTA on consoles, and you have those precious exclusives that for some reason mean so much even after they get given mediocre-at-best sequels by 343 Industries.



If you didn’t enjoy Sleeping Dogs first time, don’t buy the re-release. Don’t act entitled either though. You’re not owed anything by the developers, especially not a half-baked graphical upgrade at full price. Why you would want that, I don’t know. I’m just sitting here waiting on Half-Life 3.

By reader Peter Andrews

The reader’s feature does not necessary represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. As always, emailgamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk and follow us on Twitter.