If you like GTA-like games (example: Yakuza series), you will definitely like this game. If you enjoyed movies like Mougandou (Infernal Affairs, the real Departed), buy this already.
The original game was already pretty good, this version actually looks very nice and in early 2022, it doesn't have to be ashamed because it doesn't look dated. All the DLCs are being included except the broken ones which gave you tons of xp so you don't get unbalanced advantage, which is good.

Let's start with the best part, the selling point of this game.
This is as close as you can get to play a Hong-Kong action movie. The immersion is intense. You hear Cantonese all other the place, Hamgachan! Pokaitsai! Diuleilomo! Magnificent and truly music to your ears. Even though the hero speaks only in English (being one of the non-HK actor), most of the other people will insert one or two Cantonese words in dialogues. The game has a star-studded cast (Edison Chen, Tom Wilkinson, Emma Stone, James Hong, Lucy Liu) with some corny dialogues but the cut scenes are excellent. Radio station will have Cantonese speakers and some Cantopop!

Although the game's locations are North Point, Central, Kennedy Town and Aberdeen, they aren't completely like the real deal (obviously). It's more of a postcard HK mashed together. You've got the Aberdeen Fish Market, the Mid level escalators, the peak tram (but the Peak is completely different) a Nigh Market so it feels like Hong-Kong but is more like an exaggerated version of it. At least you have the traffic lights' sound for crossing!

The story is the classic undercover triad gangster story. It could have been meh because it will have ALL the usual cliches but the characters save the show. Some people are annoying, some people will grow on you and in the end, the story has the right amount of pace to not keep you too bored with plenty of side missions, some serious and a few which are just crazy/not serious at all.
All 3 DLCs' story are short but a nice diversion from the main story. One is included in the main campaign and is an homage to the HK kung fu movie of the golden era. The other two are separate mini-campaigns which would take a little bit more than one hour to beat and they are a nice addition to the base game.

Gameplay wise, it plays like a gta, get cars, get babes, get houses, get weapons, collect stuff. Difficulty is ok, leaning on easy. If you are careful, you can always get out of tricky situations and prevent dying. You would fail/perish if you are too reckless usually. Depending on how you are doing during missions you get various type of XP which unlocks additional attack moves or perks, but all pretty standard. No bard/druid/wizard/thief/warrior type of game, you are an undercover cop/triad/helpful guy all at the same time, it will always play the same way.

Music and graphics are very good, as said before, it looks good even in 2021 and is quite pleasing to the eyes. The hectic HK feel is there. Radio stations are also varied so you are sure to find your taste.

This is probably one of the games where people are screaming for a sequel. It's so nice to play outside the US of A for a change. I highly recommend this game to any Yakuza/GTA lover as well as people who enjoyed Hong-Kong movies, even the silly ones just for being able to listen to Cantonese in a game!

And remember, "A man who never played Sleeping Dogs is never a whole man!"