Amazing!!!
Unfortunately, it starts off with the most mind-numbing stretch imaginable. Barely off the boat in Hong Kong, our hero Ryo Hazuki can't turn around without being required to move crates, carry books, catch falling leaves, and perform other mundane, repetitive tasks. While Hong Kong itself is a sprawling place ripe for exploration and home to many interesting characters, we couldn't help but wonder just what Suzuki and company were thinking: Are we meant to experience the grating monotony in order to appreciate what follows it? Perhaps, but the concept simply fails.
Once Hazuki leaves for the walled city of Kowloon, the game picks up its pace. It still shoots itself in the foot occasionally, but it's packed with action, terrific bits of characterization, and more than a few surprises. It's gaming like you've always dreamed about—grand, riveting, and damn-near impossible to put down.