In many ways, Sega's Yakuza is like another one of its epics, Shenmue, except without the BS. There are plenty of side missions, shops to visit, and sites to see, but the game never strays off course and for good reason; the story is quite good. The narrative is so well told and polished that it's worth seeing to the end. I just wish there was a fast forward button that'd speed me through the lackluster gameplay. Other reviewers and people on forums will have you believe that Yakuza is a breakthrough, a shining jewel and proof that Sega's still got some magic left in its toy chest. But unfortunately, they're only half right.

As I played through the game I was filled with many different emotions, the first being extreme disappointment. For months, I had been reading impressions about how Yakuza was this amazing experience and a must have, largely because its story was told so well. Well thankfully, that part's true. I really enjoyed the tale of a fallen Yakuza that, upon getting out of jail (after serving a ten year sentence for a murder he didn't commit) attempts to reclaim his old status while getting to the bottom of mysterious crimes. The writing is exceptional, the cut scenes are really well done, and even the voice acting isn't half bad. For what it is, the narrative kept me enthralled.

The problem is that the game's just not that much fun to play. The simplistic beat-em-up mechanics coupled with the irritating controls spell Yakuza's doom. I like being able to pick up all kinds of weapons and beat people until they turn into a puddle of crimson goo. That's fine. But I'm uncomfortable with the way Kazuma, the main character, moves around. I'll launch into a combo, completely miss my target, and then continue on my way, unable to break the maneuver. Meanwhile, the AI-which got cheaper the further I progressed, would capitalize on my boy's deficiencies and whoop his ass. And I'm not talking about a punch and a kick. Some of the enemies are capable of busting out super human moves, and these tactics led to a lot of deaths, most of them the result of unfair shenanigans. But there were also some corny missions I undertook that pissed me off, such as when I had to sneak into a funeral and get past a bunch of lackeys. Every time I was caught they'd kick me out and I'd have to start over and it really got on my nerves.

Then there's the unimpressive presentation. Much has been said about the game's visuals, but I think they look mediocre at best. The developers created decently-sized environments. That's cool, but just like in Shenmue, there's always a reminder of how closed off the rest of the world truly is. It's like being in a play pen, if you remember what that actually felt like.

I suppose I should be impressed with how Sega was able to create this virtual Japan and populate it with hundreds of pedestrians but none of it moves me. The hustle and bustle of day to day living is nothing more than repeating sounds. However, I am quite taken with the various shops, the places Kazuma can go to buy goodies that'll replenish his health. It just sucks that if I accidentally go over the number of items he can carry the dialogue between myself and the cashier resets and I have to go through the entire selection process again. Why no one saw fault with this is anyone's guess.

I'm also not fond of the music, which just isn't as good as it could've been. Where Shenmue has this sweeping soundtrack that forever changed the way I looked at videogame music, Yakuza's score isn't nearly as moving. Actually, there's not a damn thing memorable about it. It's as disposable as a used diaper.

Yakuza fails because Sega managed to create this marvelous story, but didn't bother to fine tune the gameplay or shell out the extra dough for a fitting soundtrack. The game's still enjoyable to a degree, but it's definitely not worth $49.99. Don't believe the hype.