Although Shogo's americanized style may grate against the sensibilities of the dedicated japanophile, it does possess quite a bit of japanesque charm and some satisfying pieces of weaponry; be warned that the action is fast, furious and unforgiving, with weapons dealing heavy damage (especially while you're on foot) and enemies attacking within a split-second of spotting you. What I remember most fondly, however, is Miho Nemoto's voice singing the game's beautiful theme song, Negai (wish).
This gripping, immersive tale had me snagged right from the start and didn't let go until many hours later, and even then mainly because the day was over. Dialogue and music are used to very good effect, enriching an already enjoyable experience: there's action, adventure, sneaking, exploration, photography (more fun than you might think), puzzles, some racing, plenty of stunning locations to explore and exciting missions to undertake... Nothing in the game is too hardcore either, so even if you're not an expert racer, action fan or sneakster, you'll probably get through each section without too much frustration despite some significant challenges. The story keeps you playing, the gameplay won't make you regret that fact and nice details like the day/night cycle outdoors sweeten the deal further. In a word, excellent!
