"Crackdown" looks great and is a blast to play, but where's the plot?

The graphics and game play in Microsoft Game Studio’s newest title “Crackdown” are both incredible.
The game’s premise is simple. You are a genetically enhanced super cop who has to “clean up the city,” as the game says all too often. The trash you are tasked with removing comes in the form of three separate gangs that populate Pacific City.
The game starts by setting you loose in the city and allowing you to handle enemies as you see fit. However, there is a definite separation in the strengths of the various gangs. You should focus on taking each out, one at a time. This, too, is handled relatively well.
As you traverse the city, you’ll gain information videos focusing on one or more members of each gang. That gang member will be your target. Each gang is separated into various generals who you need to target before going after that gang’s leader. It all has a sort of trickle-down effect to it. For example, if you take down the gang’s general in charge of firearm procurement, the gang throughout the city and at the leader’s base will have weaker weapons. If you take out the general in charge of gang recruitment, there will be less members on the streets, and so on.
It is a lot of fun to pick away at the gangs, and the gang structure is really detailed. But, once you get to the generals, they all basically fight the same way. Even the gang leaders fight the same as the generals. You’ll have to pound your way through a large number of gang members to get to the leader or general. Once there, the target will have stronger weapons than most and tougher bodyguards with bullet-proof vests. But, other than the look of the characters nothing changes. It’s “find, fight, repeat,” with no variation on the fights.
That’s not to say the fights aren't fun, but they are repetitious, and with so much thought being put into the gang’s structure, you’d think the characters would have a little bit of personality, or at least varying tactics once you confront them. But here, all the gangs fight the same.
Other than going after gang members, a big part of this game is leveling up your agent. You’ll start with stats that make your supercop just slightly stronger than average humans. But, you’ll gain experience points by attacking gangs, driving cars, climbing buildings or just finding pick-up icons. As you progress, your character’s looks will change. He will grow bigger muscles and his face will change, sometimes aging or sometimes getting crazy face tattoos.
What is weird is that, since you have to level up your abilities, some things are frustrating, and at first you can blame your problems on the game. You will not be able to always target your enemy, and you will end up shooting innocents or other police officers mistakenly, but as you level up, you’ll be making precise shots from rooftops. The same goes with cars. At first, you’ll find driving frustrating. Later, it’s a blast. This is sort of counter-intuitive because the game is frustrating players by greeting them with sloppy controls before they have played the game and gotten a hang of all the moves and buttons.
But, moving up a few levels, everything gets tighter, control is better and players will have a character who can jump over small buildings and lift cars into the air. It’s impressive and fun, but it takes a while to get there.
Also, a big “shining star” point of this game is Pacific City itself. Every building and street is beautifully detailed. Some of the tallest buildings are actually fear inducing when climbed, if the player isn’t a fan of dangerous heights. You’ll be able to see for miles from the tops of buildings and it all comes together in a really impressive package. Despite few story elements and an annoying announcer who doesn’t seem to realize you’ve learned what ability orbs do, so he doesn’t need to remind you four hours into the game, “Crackdown” is one fun ride. But, don’t expect much of a story here to draw you in. Instead enjoy this game for its impressive graphics, game play and the sheer size of the massive cityscape.