Hello I'm Mik and I know what I'm talking about. Three stars? That does seem very generous, but hear me out. Here's one of the GameSpot Review Guidelines: "We welcome full-on professional reviews, but if you're interested in keeping it short, stick to your thoughts and observations on the product."
I think I can nail this one.
1. This is *genuinely* GOD HAND 0.43a. Read on.
2. THERE ARE STRAIGHT UP TERRIBLE PICTURES OF Street Fighter's Cammy's ass on all the beer adverts.
3. Why is everyone so tired and why is it so relaxing. Everyone wants to be friends. Even Cammy shows up for a fight, but it's really all quite pleasant.
REALLY not very 'ultra-urban GTA' at all is it? Seriously. It might have elements here and there but they've been placed by someone who has never actually seen an African American. This is why the pimps deal yellow moon-drugs that turn hapless junkies into neon zombies.
It has mini-games involving the usual Yakuza-style nonsense and a lot of hilariously overwrought melodrama in a setting that has no idea what the fuck the audience wants. What even is a Western player? They have no idea but were made to act like they did to keep the money coming in - and it's great.
This game really isn't that bad. Ready?
This is what would become GOD HAND.
I'm serious guys!! It's running on the precursor to the God Hand engine.
Yes. Much of the brilliance that was GOD HAND started on this project. The game is all over the place and is actually about fighting off zombies, samurai hookers and the usual offensively Japanese homosexual stereo-hype. Also playing cards in guitar cases (etc. etc.) are the coolest thing ever. Thanks, Capcom.
Final Fight: Streetwise, the only game in the Final Fight series to have never been released in Japan. (Source: Capcom Japan) Why though? Yeah, the logo and presentation did not help. But God Hand was only a few months away.
Three Stars. DECENT!
mikxxx