Originally posted by Vigilante:
<strong>I havn't played or no anything about this game. Does the story xplain thier absence? Are Andy and Mia married with kid(s)like I'm guessing, is Joe just retired? does the story line explain this?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yes, the game hints at Mai and Andy's absence, the same way the game hints at what Ryo and Yamazaki are up to around that time. If you ever do get a chance to play the game, try playing as Hokutomaru and see his ending. There's no word about Joe, and considering that he's basically a joke character now (see CVS Pro, CVS2), that might not be a bad thing.
Also, if you play against Hokutomaru in his stage, check the billboards.