It is a refined True Crime series from Activision. It is their take on Rockstar's GTA. Played True Crime: L.A., and nevertheless, had mixed feeling about it.
Environment wise, meh, Mafia series is better, but Mafia have less interactivity.
Gun combat, perhaps it is one of the best.
Melee/hand-to-hand, yeah that's the main point of these series
Driving, still, Mafia is the best.