I going to come right out and say it. I don't know why this game is so highly praised. This game can be expressed by the following formula:

GTA - Missions - bad guy main character + super abilities + good guy main character = VERY repetitive gameplay

Story B-

Very sparse in my opinion. You're basically a super agent created by the academy to deal with the growing gang problem. 3 gangs in all and it's up to you to wipe them out with any means necessary.

Graphics: A-

Everything is cell-shaded very nicely and the framerate moves very fast a constant clip. Minor annoyances are 1) Gang symbols 'pop-up' when relatively close, making targets hard to identify. 2) Later on when you have leveled up your explosive abilities, you may notice a hint of slowdown if you are lighting up the whole block. Very minor but noticeable.

Sound effects: B

Your generic sounds here. Not bad but nothing really unique. It fills the game out nicely.

Music: C

The music was so bad I purposely did not drive the autos just to avoid cringing to the sound of nails running over a chalkboard. No Top 40 here folks.

Gameplay: C+

While having 5 abilities (Agility, strength, explosions, firearms, driving ability) to level up is nice there are only two side games that build up only 2 of the five abilities. Not diverse at all. You'll have to level those other abilities up by just playing through.

The 2 types of mini games are 1) You leap from building to building building up your agility skill 2) Racing mode to build up your driving skill.

While I understand the cause and effect it places, this game penalizes too much on hurting civilians and hinders leveling up. Very annoying when you are at the higher levels of the explosion ability trying to max out this skill.

Targeting is very hit or miss. When you do lock onto someone, the further they are out, the longer it takes to center in on them for accuracy. Players can choose which appendage they wish to shoot or just good for the headshot or torso. In close quarters combat, targeting is very 'sticky'. You'll lock onto enemies that you have already killed instead of the ones you wish to terminate (+5 annoying)

Driving is very basic and has no real usefulness after being leveled up in your agility as you can run pretty fast when you're jacked up on that skill. A distraction from the main course if you will. Agents cars do morph into nicer and better varaints as you level your driving ability. Using the 18Wheeler and plowing through traffic is very satisfying.

Boss fights are VERY repetitive. You basically need to kill off all of the sub bosses first in order to weaken the main boss. Killing them is a straight forward affair. No environmental uses to kill the boss. No discovering of weakpoints. No methodology at all. Point and shoot. Rinse and repeat.

Overall C+

Were it not for the Halo 3 beta, I honestly have to say that the game is not worth $60. For $30 I give it a go for most people who are a fan of GTA-esque games. If you could care less about Halo, do yourself a favor & rent this game first.