---
title: "Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition: Complete Guide"
game: "Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition"
game_url: "https://qna.gg/games/sleeping-dogs-definitive-edition"
author: "Qloud"
author_url: "https://qna.gg/players/Qloud"
topics: ["Achievements", "Collectibles", "Settings"]
summary: "A guide to Wei Shen's undercover life in Hong Kong: the three XP tracks, fighting and gunplay, collectibles that make you stronger, side activities, the included DLC episodes, and a smart order to do everything in.…"
url: "https://qna.gg/g/sleeping-dogs-definitive-edition-complete-guide-c9e7afb2"
published: "2026-09-27T17:26:06.232Z"
updated: "2026-09-27T17:26:06.232Z"
source: "QnA.GG"
---

# Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition: Complete Guide

A guide to Wei Shen's undercover life in Hong Kong: the three XP tracks, fighting and gunplay, collectibles that make you stronger, side activities, the included DLC episodes, and a smart order to do everything in.

*Researched September 2026 — current as of the Definitive Edition (October 2014), including the October 2014 patch that enabled HD world textures by default. No patches since; the game is complete. Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.*

> **Edition note:** Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition (Steam app 307690) includes all 24 previously released DLC items, among them the story episode **Year of the Snake**, the horror episode **Nightmare in North Point**, and the **Zodiac Tournament**. If textures look blurry, check your graphics settings: a 2014 patch turned the HD world textures on by default.

## Quick Start

1. **Three XP tracks run at once:** Triad XP (brutal fighting), Police XP (avoiding civilian damage and doing cop work), and Face XP (side missions and reputation). Each unlocks its own upgrades.
2. **Melee is the core of the game.** Learn to **counter** (enemies flash red before attacking) and use **environmental kills** (grab an enemy and drag them to a highlighted object).
3. **Collect Jade Statues.** Return them to the martial arts master at the club in North Point to learn new combat moves.
4. **Pray at Health Shrines** to raise your max health.
5. **Open Lockboxes** for cash and unique clothes.
6. **Hack security cameras** to set up drug busts, and take on Cop Cases (police investigations); both give Police XP.
7. **Clothes matter.** Outfit sets give bonuses; Face level unlocks better gear.
8. **Use safe houses** to save, change clothes, and access your vehicles.
9. **Try the action hijack:** while driving alongside another car, jump across and take it.
10. **Don't neglect Police XP.** Civilian damage and property destruction during missions lower your Police XP score at the end of each mission.

## Setting and Characters

Wei Shen, an undercover Hong Kong police officer, infiltrates the **Sun On Yee** triad. His handlers are **Superintendent Thomas Pendrew** and **Raymond Mak**; his triad contacts include **Winston Chu** (his first boss), **Jackie Ma** (a childhood friend) and the elderly chairman **Uncle Po**. Danger comes from rival lieutenants inside the Sun On Yee, such as **"Big Smile" Lee** and **"Dogeyes" Lin**, as well as rival triads. Wei's loyalties are tested between cop and triad life.

**Districts:** North Point, Central, Aberdeen, Kennedy Town.

## XP and Progression

| Track | How you earn it | What it unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| Triad XP | Brutal melee, environmental kills, violent style during missions | Stronger strikes, unblockable attacks, better combat recovery |
| Police XP | Minimizing civilian and property damage during missions, Cop Cases | Gun skills, car stealing without alarms, lower heat, disarms |
| Face XP | Favors, side missions, reputation actions | Face level perks such as health regeneration, cosmetic unlocks, vehicle delivery |

**Mission scoring:** after story missions, Triad XP and Police XP are scored. Police XP starts full and loses points for collateral damage; Triad XP fills with how violent and stylish you are.

## Combat

### Melee

| Move | Use |
|---|---|
| Strike combos | Light/heavy attack chains; mix them for different combos |
| Counter | Press when an enemy flashes red |
| Grapple | Grab enemies; slam or throw them |
| Environmental kill | Grab and drag enemies to highlighted objects (phone booths, fans, fish tanks, dumpsters) |
| Weapons | Knives, tire irons, cleavers; they break with use |

**Tips:**

- **Counter first, then attack.** Most deaths come from swinging into enemy combos.
- **Grapple big enemies** to control the fight.
- **Environmental kills** end fights quickly and boost Triad XP.
- **Jade Statue moves** (from the martial arts master) add powerful combos. There are 12 Jade Statues.

### Gunplay

- Guns are rare in Hong Kong. When you get them, use cover.
- **Vaulting over cover** triggers slow-motion aiming for easy headshots.
- **Police XP upgrades** improve gun handling and disarms.
- **Shooting tires** during car chases disables pursuers.

### Driving

- Races, chases and missions rely on cars and bikes.
- **Ram** to take down pursuers.
- **Action hijack:** drive alongside another car and jump to it.
- **Car delivery** (Face perk) brings your car to you.

## Collectibles and Upgrades

| Collectible | Effect |
|---|---|
| Jade Statues (12) | Return to the martial arts master to learn moves |
| Health Shrines | Pray to raise max health over time |
| Lockboxes | Cash and exclusive clothes |
| Security Cameras | Hack to set up drug busts (Police XP) |
| Dates | Dating characters reveals collectible locations on your map |

**Strategy:** do Health Shrines and Jade Statues early; they make fights and missions much easier.

## Side Activities

- **Favors:** help locals for Face XP.
- **Cop Cases and drug busts:** police investigations, plus busts set up by hacking security cameras, for Police XP.
- **Street races** (cars and bikes) for cash and vehicles.
- **Fight clubs** for Triad XP and money.
- **Karaoke** mini-game.
- **Cockfighting and Mahjong** for gambling.
- **Dates** with several characters; each gives a map reveal of collectibles.

## DLC in the Definitive Edition

| DLC | What it is |
|---|---|
| Year of the Snake (March 2013) | Six post-story missions with Wei back on the police force, investigating a cultist terror group |
| Nightmare in North Point (October 2012) | Horror episode with jiangshi (Chinese hopping vampires) |
| Zodiac Tournament (December 2012) | Fighting tournament in an island arena |
| Outfit, vehicle and weapon packs | Many cosmetic and gear packs are integrated |

## Money, Shopping and Safe Houses

- **Cash sources:** story missions, Lockboxes, street races, fight clubs, betting on cockfights, and Favors.
- **What to buy:** clothes that complete an outfit set (set bonuses beat single flashy items), and vehicles from dealerships once you have a garage to store them in.
- **Safe houses** double as garages. Park a fast car there before long missions so it's close by when you need it.
- **Food and drink** from street vendors give temporary buffs (such as extra damage or health regeneration). Grab something before a big fight club or mission.

## Hong Kong Survival Rules

| Situation | Best response |
|---|---|
| Surrounded by a gang | Grab one enemy, drag him to an environmental kill, counter the rest |
| Enemy with a knife or cleaver | Counter and disarm; pick up the weapon yourself |
| Heavy/big enemy | Grapple or use Jade Statue combos; don't trade straight hits |
| Police chasing you | Break line of sight in alleys, or use Police upgrades that reduce heat |
| Car chase | Ram from the side, shoot tires, use the action hijack on blocked roads |
| Low health | Back off, eat a buff food, and rely on Face-level regeneration |

## PC Notes

- The Definitive Edition's graphics menu includes options for world detail; if the city looks low-resolution, re-check that HD world textures are enabled (a 2014 patch made them default).
- Keyboard and mouse work fine for driving and shooting, but melee timing and combos feel more natural on a gamepad. Both are fully supported.
- The game's save system uses checkpoints and safe houses; finish a mission before quitting to avoid redoing it.

## Suggested Progression Order

1. **Early game:** focus on the story until you have your first safe house and several districts open.
2. **Collect Health Shrines and Jade Statues** as they become reachable.
3. **Hack Security Cameras** and do Cop Cases for Police XP.
4. **Do Favors** to raise Face level; unlock health regeneration and vehicle delivery.
5. **Mid-game:** street races and fight clubs for cash and Triad XP.
6. **Late game:** finish main story, then Year of the Snake, Nightmare in North Point, Zodiac Tournament.

## Achievements and 100% Checklist

Completion is tracked as a percentage of "missions, cases, favors, events, jobs and races" (the **Chief Inspector** achievement asks for 100%). The achievements that need deliberate effort, with conditions from the Steam achievement list:

| Achievement | Requirement | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Case Closed | Complete all cases | Check the map for new cases regularly |
| Hong Kong Super Hacker | Hack every Security Camera | Pairs with the drug busts; check the map after dates |
| Spiritual Healing | Pray at all of the Health Shrines | Also maxes out your health |
| North Point / Central / West End Scavenger | Unlock every lockbox in each area | West End covers Kennedy Town and Aberdeen |
| Martial Law | Defeat all 4 Martial Arts Clubs | Easier once you have Jade Statue moves |
| Bounty Hunter | Complete all of Roland's Jobs | Side jobs that unlock through play |
| Wei of the Road | Complete all Street Races | A fast bike or car makes these much easier |
| Karaoke Superstar | 90% or better on every song | Karaoke bars around the city |
| Mr. Nice Guy / Event Planner | All Favors / all open world Events | Favors also feed Face XP |
| Fashion Victim / Auto Enthusiast | Buy all clothing / all vehicles | Late-game cash sinks |
| Hell Money / Goodie Monster | All money shrines / all Evidence collectibles | Use a collectible map for these |
| Ghosts and Stuff / Hong Kong's Finest | All secondary content in Nightmare in North Point / Year of the Snake | Do these after the main story |
| A Slap in the Face | Kill someone with a fish | Grab one whenever it shows up as a melee weapon |
| Infowlable | Win 50,000 on a single cockfight | Save before betting |
| Safe Driver | 2 minutes over 60 km/h without damaging your car | Use a highway |

Face level milestones (**Minor Face** at level 2, **Gaining Face** at 5, **Great Face** at 10) come naturally from favors and side content.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

- **Button-mashing melee.** Counter timing wins fights.
- **Crashing into everything in missions.** Your Police XP will suffer.
- **Ignoring Jade Statues.** They unlock some of the best moves.
- **Skipping Health Shrines.** Max health upgrades make hard fights easier.
- **Not using environmental kills.** They're fast and effective.
- **Overusing guns.** Ammo is scarce, and melee is often faster.

## Advanced Tips

- **Chain environmental kills** in big fights to thin groups.
- **Use counters to set up grapples** for safe takedowns.
- **Upgrade Triad skills** that make attacks unblockable; they break guards on tough enemies.
- **Clothes sets** give bonuses; mix and match based on missions.
- **Face perks** make free roam more fun; car delivery saves a lot of walking.
- **Use slow-motion cover vaults** for headshots when guns come out.

## FAQ

**Is Definitive Edition the version to buy?**
Yes. It's the version sold on Steam now and includes all DLC.

**How long is Sleeping Dogs?**
The main story is moderate length; DLC and side content add many hours.

**Can I play DLC before finishing the story?**
Some DLC content is accessible during the story; Year of the Snake is a post-story episode.

**What are Jade Statues for?**
Return them to the martial arts master to learn new combat moves.

**Do I need a controller?**
Not required, but many players find melee combos easier on a controller.

**Is there a sequel?**
No direct sequel was released. Triad Wars, an online spin-off set on the same Hong Kong map, was shut down in December 2015 and never fully launched.

## Sources

- [Wikipedia — Sleeping Dogs (video game)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeping_Dogs_(video_game))
- [Steam store — Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition](https://store.steampowered.com/app/307690/)
- [Steam — Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition achievements](https://steamcommunity.com/stats/307690/achievements)
- [Steam news — HD texture issue/resolution](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/307690)