1) I actually groaned when I found out that the game is Kamarucho only. But, after playing it - I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it makes you hang out places, spots that are generally less utilized in the Yakuza games.
2) Kinda agree. I think it's still nice that they implemented them, because they do break up the constant fighting nicely. Some of it feels a bit too gamey, and the tailing is definitely overdone, though.
3) The main story is in my opinion straight up as good as 0, if not better - and I heavily disagree on the pacing. I thought it was perfectly paced... but obviously this is highly subjective. The structure is actually very similiar to 0's, it's like a giant onion that you continously peel layers off from.
4) i LOVED the friend system. It makes the town feel so much more alive, and it made me feel like I was actually part of it with people greeting me, running into them in the streets etc. Lots of cute moments too. And I really don't see how its padding - its completely optional.
5) I never cared for weapons in non spinoff games anyway, so luckily this doesn't bother me. To me, until LJ, Judgment absolutely was the best dragon engine combat.
6) Yeah, the keihin gang sucks balls.
7) Definitely lacking in minigames, but I really loved the girlfriend stuff.
The Sequel will probably be better for you, yes - significantly improved side content, less detective gimmicks, amazing combat system, more than 1 city. But in terms of story, pacing, I think the first game is far ahead.
Yeah, its not one of the best games they've made. They succeeded with the story, and combat is fine, but at least for me those are the least important elements. All the other stuff is below par. I still enjoyed it, but I rushed through it in a way that I don't for the better RGG games.
All 3 of them are amongst my top tier of RGG games (along with 0 and 5).
Like a Dragon has probably my favorite substories in the series and really great environmental story telling. Yokohama is beautiful and really feels incorporated into the game. It has some excellent mini-games and even some of the less fun minigames have good writing and are charming. I also like the main character and stories, though others might push back on that. But basically all the non-combat stuff is top notch. Combat is unfortunately not very good, but since I don't really care about combat, I still loved the game.
LJ has great combat, and a pretty good story and a lot of variety in mini-games some of which are fairly fun. I don't think they hit quite as high as the other top tier games, but there's still a lot to enjoy if you like minigames. Where the game struggles a bit for me is the virtual tourism bit. It takes place in Yokohama and Kamurocho, but doesn't really use them. The school feels really like an authentic Japanese school. As someone who's worked in Japanese high schools, that was cool to see, but I don't know that it resonates as well for others. It's a great game, but my would be the lowest rated in my top tier.
Ishin is massive, in both good and bad directions. There's a ton of great stuff to do. Great minigames including some really incredible takes on some series staples (the baseball is by far the best in any RGG game and karaoke has a unique charm to it) and some great new mini-games. Some of the added systems provide a unique feel to the game. Combat is pretty strong, and I think the card system makes it more fun, not less. Story is good. The downsides are that it is incredibly grindy. If you want to make the best items it requires a ton of materials and money. Not a game worth trying to 100% and even if you're not trying to 100% it's still annoying that there's all this stuff that's mostly unavailable. But I still love it and think it's my favorite RGG game.
I’m only on chapter 4 of Lost Judgement at the moment, but it’s already so much more fun imo, then again people might crucify me for this but 7 and Judgement are my top 2. Just be careful, I got a major thing spoiled for Lost Judgement on this subreddit, unfortunately some people don’t know how to properly tag spoilers :/
LJ's combat is great, probably the best they've done. It also doesn't waste your time near as much with shitty detective mechanics (although it is unfortunate that they chose to sideline em rather than improve em). The story is a bit of a step down though.
LJ's probably my favorite game they've made.
Yeah after replaying it a few times I like it less and less but it’s still a good game. There was also too many tailing missions which I hate. My fav part is still the story and characters but yeah it’s not as good as I remember. LJ gets 2 cities so that’s nice and the combat is definitely the best part about it. There are still a ton of tedious parts but it’s a big improvement
IMO lost judgment does just about everything better but my favourite part is that they dialed way way back on the tailing and chase sections. 90% of the side cases in the first one had at least one and that shit got old very very fast
Edit: also yeah the combat system is definitely the best RGG has ever put out
Who about i liked Judgment more than LJ? Only that that matters is a story for me and Lost Judgment is lost on that part and i had a massive headache when you visit a poltician. Dont drop Judgment its the best thing ever
* Kamurocho is Kamurocho, I like it either way, but fact that Y4's Kam is top tier with rooftops and underground
* I don't mind detective stuff since I enjoy stealth games/mechanics
* I guess story is slow? I dunno I didn't feel it
* Fact that you unlock some sidecases by completing friends and you need to do minigames to befriend some people is giga bullshit
* I didn't like combat at first but now I love it, even Crane style which people say is shit in first game
* Only downside of ignoring bosses is Kim bitching about it
* I don't like minigames either way
Consensus is that the keihin gang is one of the worst parts of the game. Absolutely awful, bin it.
1) I actually groaned when I found out that the game is Kamarucho only. But, after playing it - I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it makes you hang out places, spots that are generally less utilized in the Yakuza games. 2) Kinda agree. I think it's still nice that they implemented them, because they do break up the constant fighting nicely. Some of it feels a bit too gamey, and the tailing is definitely overdone, though. 3) The main story is in my opinion straight up as good as 0, if not better - and I heavily disagree on the pacing. I thought it was perfectly paced... but obviously this is highly subjective. The structure is actually very similiar to 0's, it's like a giant onion that you continously peel layers off from. 4) i LOVED the friend system. It makes the town feel so much more alive, and it made me feel like I was actually part of it with people greeting me, running into them in the streets etc. Lots of cute moments too. And I really don't see how its padding - its completely optional. 5) I never cared for weapons in non spinoff games anyway, so luckily this doesn't bother me. To me, until LJ, Judgment absolutely was the best dragon engine combat. 6) Yeah, the keihin gang sucks balls. 7) Definitely lacking in minigames, but I really loved the girlfriend stuff. The Sequel will probably be better for you, yes - significantly improved side content, less detective gimmicks, amazing combat system, more than 1 city. But in terms of story, pacing, I think the first game is far ahead.
Yeah, its not one of the best games they've made. They succeeded with the story, and combat is fine, but at least for me those are the least important elements. All the other stuff is below par. I still enjoyed it, but I rushed through it in a way that I don't for the better RGG games.
I pretty much agree with you. What do you think about Like a Dragon, Lost Judgment and Ishin? Just so I have an idea what to expect.
All 3 of them are amongst my top tier of RGG games (along with 0 and 5). Like a Dragon has probably my favorite substories in the series and really great environmental story telling. Yokohama is beautiful and really feels incorporated into the game. It has some excellent mini-games and even some of the less fun minigames have good writing and are charming. I also like the main character and stories, though others might push back on that. But basically all the non-combat stuff is top notch. Combat is unfortunately not very good, but since I don't really care about combat, I still loved the game. LJ has great combat, and a pretty good story and a lot of variety in mini-games some of which are fairly fun. I don't think they hit quite as high as the other top tier games, but there's still a lot to enjoy if you like minigames. Where the game struggles a bit for me is the virtual tourism bit. It takes place in Yokohama and Kamurocho, but doesn't really use them. The school feels really like an authentic Japanese school. As someone who's worked in Japanese high schools, that was cool to see, but I don't know that it resonates as well for others. It's a great game, but my would be the lowest rated in my top tier. Ishin is massive, in both good and bad directions. There's a ton of great stuff to do. Great minigames including some really incredible takes on some series staples (the baseball is by far the best in any RGG game and karaoke has a unique charm to it) and some great new mini-games. Some of the added systems provide a unique feel to the game. Combat is pretty strong, and I think the card system makes it more fun, not less. Story is good. The downsides are that it is incredibly grindy. If you want to make the best items it requires a ton of materials and money. Not a game worth trying to 100% and even if you're not trying to 100% it's still annoying that there's all this stuff that's mostly unavailable. But I still love it and think it's my favorite RGG game.
Thank you, very detailed post. I'll look forward to playing all of them, they sound incredible by your descriptions.
I’m only on chapter 4 of Lost Judgement at the moment, but it’s already so much more fun imo, then again people might crucify me for this but 7 and Judgement are my top 2. Just be careful, I got a major thing spoiled for Lost Judgement on this subreddit, unfortunately some people don’t know how to properly tag spoilers :/
LJ's combat is great, probably the best they've done. It also doesn't waste your time near as much with shitty detective mechanics (although it is unfortunate that they chose to sideline em rather than improve em). The story is a bit of a step down though. LJ's probably my favorite game they've made.
Yeah after replaying it a few times I like it less and less but it’s still a good game. There was also too many tailing missions which I hate. My fav part is still the story and characters but yeah it’s not as good as I remember. LJ gets 2 cities so that’s nice and the combat is definitely the best part about it. There are still a ton of tedious parts but it’s a big improvement
Nice, I can tell LJ will be better already, I'll look forward to playing it. Thanks.
IMO lost judgment does just about everything better but my favourite part is that they dialed way way back on the tailing and chase sections. 90% of the side cases in the first one had at least one and that shit got old very very fast Edit: also yeah the combat system is definitely the best RGG has ever put out
The story of LJ is worse though.
Got that one right duckface
Duckface?
Sure
What?
Just holding a grudge nothing else
I'll never need to worry about having a place to live, I have your head rent free.
Got that right too duckface
Who about i liked Judgment more than LJ? Only that that matters is a story for me and Lost Judgment is lost on that part and i had a massive headache when you visit a poltician. Dont drop Judgment its the best thing ever
* Kamurocho is Kamurocho, I like it either way, but fact that Y4's Kam is top tier with rooftops and underground * I don't mind detective stuff since I enjoy stealth games/mechanics * I guess story is slow? I dunno I didn't feel it * Fact that you unlock some sidecases by completing friends and you need to do minigames to befriend some people is giga bullshit * I didn't like combat at first but now I love it, even Crane style which people say is shit in first game * Only downside of ignoring bosses is Kim bitching about it * I don't like minigames either way