Game of the Year Shortlist: Sleeping Dogs

Before we knew it, December was upon us and all the games had arrived in stores in time for everyone to buy them as presents. We've got the reveal of our Game of the Year coming after Christmas, but for 24 days starting December 1 we'll bring you a new contender for the title. Please note that these games are in no particular order, but feel free to speculate on where they might appear in our final list.

Tom Orry, Editor

I have very mixed feelings about this one. I've talked to Dave quite a lot about the various problems I have with Sleeping Dogs, most notably the terrible vehicle handling, the way certain characters are completely forgotten about, and some awful missions, but when it's good it's very good, and it's left a lasting impression on me. I had fun, and that's pretty much what a game should aim to deliver. This is a game I had next to no expectations of going in, but I now hope we'll see another entry on future consoles.

David Scammell, Deputy News Editor

It's impossible to discuss Sleeping Dogs without talking about Pork Bun man. The guy got everywhere, from bustling marketplaces to tight little alley-ways, touting his lightly steamed wares to the player at almost every turn. I hope you get to play as him in the sequel, attacking rival chefs and businessmen with breaded meat while building up a Pork Bun empire. Sleeping Pigs, I'd call it.

Anyway, if you'll excuse the pun, you've got to give United Front Games credit for its sheer doggedness. Whipping up the courage to get back on its feet and finish a project after experiencing such a significant public blow must have been a particularly arduous task for the team. But by doing so in the way it did - by delivering one of the genre's finest - was a remarkable achievement.