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[Humdinger]

Really enjoyed this one. It was an emotionally satisfying conclusion to Kiryu's saga [edit: by which I mean the last of the Kiryu-focused games, at least for now; I know his story continues in other games as a secondary character]. I thought it was great.

I loved the combat. When I first started playing Yakuza games, I thought the combat was kind of boring - just punchy punchy, over and over. As I've played more, I've gotten better at it and understood more of the little tricks you can pull off, so it's gotten more fun. I didn't use the Agent style much, the one with the gadgets. I stuck with classic Yakuza style.

I enjoyed the story and characters - Hanawa and Akame in particular. The story wasn't too convoluted this time, so I managed to follow 80% of it. If I were to criticize one bit, it would be the whole "let's dissolve the Omi and Tojo clans because the police are making things hard for us." That didn't make much sense to me. Maybe I missed something, but that just didn't seem like the sort of decision these leaders would make. But then, it's par for the course for things not to make much sense in Yakuza games, so I just roll with it. I heard once that the writer just makes shit up as he goes along. I can believe it, lol.

I also found Kiryu's unwillingness to kill anyone - even psychopaths who are trying to murder him - a little annoying. He even gets furious with other people who try to kill them. It can't be part of the Yakuza ethics code, because other Yakuza seem to have no trouble with trying to murder him - firing shotguns at point blank range, etc. Oh well. He's inscrutable. But I found myself wondering why he didn't just kill these psychopaths once and for all, because they just come back and try to murder him. I suppose it's for the drama - like the villain in the movie who never quite dies.

For context, I've played Yakuza 0, Kiwami 1 and 2, and Yakuza 6 prior to this. I haven't played 3-5 or the other LAD games, so I was missing some of the context for the characters who appear during the finale, Kasuga in particular. A trial version of Infinite Wealth unlocked when I finished the game, so I'll give that a try.

Graphics were prettier compared to previous Yakuza games. I liked that. It had some good quality of life improvements as well (e.g., pressing X to run, rather than having to hold it), which I appreciated. The length - about 23 hours - was just right. I had just come off playing Yakuza 6, so I didn't want another really long Yakuza game. This was perfect.

The fights near the end were something else. Glad I packed a lunch. I don't want to spoil anything, but I found the ending sad but very well done.

9 Kiryus out of 10 for me. Great stuff.

 

[rubik's dude]

Without spoiling anything, it's not quite the end of his saga yet. Interesting that you hadn't played 3 before this though. The emotional toll of the ending for this one in particular relies heavily on 3 (and 4 and 5 of course, but 3 was mainly about the orphanage).

 

[Humdinger]

Without spoiling anything, it's not quite the end of his saga yet.

I should've clarified, by "end of his saga," I meant that this is the last of the main, Kiryu-focused games. I know he makes guest appearances in the LAD games, but he isn't the central character anymore. At least that's my understanding.

I actually played Yakuza 6 a couple months ago, thinking it was the last chapter in Kiryu's saga. Lol, nope.

Interesting that you hadn't played 3 before this though. The emotional toll of the ending for this one in particular relies heavily on 3 (and 4 and 5 of course, but 3 was mainly about the orphanage).

Yeah, I got some of the orphanage backstory in Yakuza 6, but I did miss out on most of it. Still, I found it very affecting. It was well-handled.

I will have to go back and play 3-5 eventually. Not right away, but after a break. I've heard that 3's combat is frustrating, that enemies constantly block you. Blockuza, I heard it called.

 

[Nankatsu]

Really enjoyed this one. It was an emotionally satisfying conclusion to Kiryu's saga. I thought it was great.

Wait until you play Infinite Wealth.

 

[Skifi28]

I disliked the agent style and having only two styles was a big downgrade from previous games. Other than that, it was very enjoyable and the length just right for me to finally 100% a Yakuza game. I always get close but give up around 70-80%.

 

[Humdinger]

Wait until you play Infinite Wealth.

lol. I just meant the main, Kiryu-focused games were done, at least for now. But I know his story will continue. I mean, the game concludes with a "To Be Continued..." image. And he's got his new hairdo and everything.

I wonder if they'll ever make a Kiryu-focused game again, where he's the main character. Hope so. One where he's an actual old man, rather than a 40-year old super-fit guy who everyone bafflingly calls "old man."

 

[Nankatsu]

lol. I just meant the main, Kiryu-focused games were done, at least for now. But I know his story will continue. I mean, the game concludes with a "To Be Continued..." image. And he's got his new hairdo and everything.

I wonder if they'll ever make a Kiryu-focused game again, where he's the main character. Hope so. One where he's an actual old man, rather than a 40-year old super-fit guy who everyone bafflingly calls "old man."

Only if they visit a timeline right after Yakuza 0. Rather than that, I doubt it.

 

[Labadal]

A cash grab, but one that I enjoyed. Some good characters and boss fights. The ending was solid.

 

[adamsapple]

The ending of the game fucking wrecked me.

A great example of why playing these games in their original JP voice acting is the best option.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

Can't wait for the next mainline Like A Dragon game.

 

[rubik's dude]

The ending of the game fucking wrecked me.

A great example of why playing these games in their original JP voice acting is the best option.

In all my years, I don't think I've ever seen another game show as accurate of a portrayal of ugly crying as this game. I wasn't ready, I also cried.

 

[Mozzarella]

RGG are not going to end any saga, they are Ubisoft of Japan, they keep milking this franchise, every year you get a 60 hour Yakuza game, sometimes you get 2 a year and everyone praises them unconditionally despite their many flaws.
Lazy low effort mediocre series.

 

[Humdinger]

In all my years, I don't think I've ever seen another game show as accurate of a portrayal of ugly crying as this game. I wasn't ready, I also cried.

The ending of the game fucking wrecked me.

A great example of why playing these games in their original JP voice acting is the best option.

Yeah, especially because it was Kiryu, who is so stoic, and to whom the player has grown attached over the series. It also comes after a long, exhausting (and amazing) battle sequence that lasts about 90 minutes, so both Kiryu and the player are sort of exhausted, spent. There were bits of dialog in the scene that were a bit on-the-nose, but I won't complain. That's part of Yakuza's charm. I know it was one of the most heart-wrenching scenes I've experienced in a videogame in many years.

Bravo to the devs. I'm a little disappointed to hear that this game didn't sell all that well (that's what I gather, anyhow). I heard it released very close to Infinite Wealth, though, which may have overshadowed it.