True Crime: Hong Kong revived as Sleeping Dogs

Square Enix announced Sleeping Dogs today, a gritty cop drama set in Hong Kong. The PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 game is being developed by United Front Games and Square Enix London Studios, and aiming for a launch in the second half of 2012. And in case "gritty Hong Kong cop drama by United Front" sounds familiar, that's for good reason; this is apparently what became of True Crime: Hong Kong after Square picked it up last year.

Players take the mantle of Wei Shen, an undercover cop set on taking down the Hong Kong Triads. But this being an undercover drama, Wei starts to question his motives and actions when his loyalty is tested. You'll be doing your share of gun-play, but Sleeping Dogs adds martial arts and environmental take-downs into the mix as well.

"Working on Sleeping Dogs has been such a huge passion for the team at United Front Games and we're really pleased to be working with Square Enix London Studios," said United Front executive producer Stephen Van Der Mescht, in the announcement. "The extensive experience that both studios have in creating compelling open world gameplay and rich, rewarding combat makes for a perfect partnership. Working together we're ensuring Sleeping Dogs is the most intense and immersive game it can be."

Check out the first trailer under this new name, below.