Face is one of three levelling systems implemented in Sleeping Dogs.
Face is a measure of Wei's reputation, introduced in the beginning of the game. What makes this system different is that, rather than earning it from missions (like Police and Triad XP), Face XP is earned through mostly all of the side-content in the game.
Like the Police and Triad levelling system, Face begins at Level 1. Completing easier side-missions will reward you small amounts of XP, and harder side-missions will, in turn, reward you with a large boost in XP.
The reward system differentiates from the Triad and Police levelling system by the fact that the reward for advancing a level is not selected - it has been fixed and set in stone.
At Level 1, you are given access to the Face Meter. This is used in combat, and when filled, will intimidate your enemies and you are able to slowly regenerate any lost health. In later levels, the abilities behind the Face Meter are added and boosted to make you more formidable in combat.
Purchasing of services, most notably visiting a massage parlor, are able to give a small boost to increasing how fast the Face Meter fills up in combat. Use of this alongside the other perks from goods and services is advised for the best results in hand-to-hand combat.
