Become the Don of NYC.
The main missions weren't that great, but the hit missions and favors made up for that. The free form overworld play was the greatest. I loved taking over all the fronts, rackets, warehouses, hubs, and compounds (it's a big, big city). Early on, the bank heists and racket truck jacking were a scream. They really got the blood pumping.
I could still play for several more hours dynamiting the final safes, holding up all the banks at once, getting all the execution styles on gangsters and cops, and robbing the sewer boys and the gang near the former Cuneo compound. So much to do in this game, and all of it is fun.
The controls for shooting, driving, and hand to hand combat were superb. So the graphics weren't great, not a big concern for me.
While this game is arguably a GTA rip-off, I think it is far more fun than any of the games in that series.
Grab this game from the bargain bin and play it, or else I'll have to shoot you in the kneecap. Respect.