The original Kane and Lynch game was an above average third person shooter effort that paid a great deal of homage to the movies of Michael Mann in most of its set pieces.

Unfortunately the title is forever marred by its connection to the kerffuffle with celebrity journalist Jeff Gerstmann getting the axe from the editor job at Gamespot. Hopefully the sequel, to grace our shores in a few weeks, will avoid any similar attention and get a chance to stand on its own.

The game has a good pedigree, coming from the same developers as the Hitman series and the now classic squad shooter Freedom Fighters (worth looking up if you can get a PS2 copy). Early previews seem to indicate most of the control and aiming problems that cut down the original have been sorted out with taking cover handled by a single button press.

The focus of the plot moves to heavily medicated and bearded psychopath Lynch with a second player taking the coop role of Kane, a reverse from the original game. Lynch has made good in Shanghai and sorted out his mental state while building up a criminal career. An upcoming major job planning on paying off in a big way. It’s a fair assumption said job will not go well and Lynch’s mental state will deteriorate, it just wouldn’t be fun otherwise!

Here's a few pics we got sent to get you in the mood.

There's quite a lot of pink in this picture, did you notice that? Maybe it's just me

There may be an achievement for 'Death due to the lack of non slip mats in the kitchen'

Shot down while attempting the Aga Doo dance, tragic

I had a joke here about bar hopping, but I didn't write it down and now I've forgotten it. Just chortle throatily to yourself like you read something funny

Far from a buff action hero, Lynch looks more like your pervy alcoholic uncle who's cricket career never panned out due to some 'injury'

That colgate shine is a knock out