An expansion for Lost Judgment
Play as the muscle of the Yagami Detective Agency, Masaharu Kaito, and take on a new case that ties up loose ends of his past in The Kaito Files. Kaito brings his own Primal Focus detective techniques and two beastly fighting styles to challenge new foes and crack the case with a distinct Kaito swagger. Following the events of Lost Judgment, Kaito starts a lucrative case while Yagami is out of town that unexpectedly has him searching for his old flame, Mikiko. Along the way, Kaito encounters a teenager claiming to be their son and team up to uncover the truth behind Mikiko's disappearance. Now Kaito stands at the crossroads of past and present while up against a syndicate tied to Kamurocho’s criminal underbelly. But why did Kaito and Mikiko split up, and what does this dark fraternity have to do with her?
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THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON
I love Kaito and think this makes, conceptually, a good case for how he should step-up as being a proper main protagonist in a hypothetical Judgment 3, but woof man this was mid incarnate. I was disappointed by how the supporting cast in Lost Judgment got shelved but this didn't bother to make up for that either. A very perplexing choice to make a story expansion around Kaito's past but Higashi is hardly involved at all and the Matsugane stuff isn't really deepened whatsoever. Outside of Jun and the final boss, the story was a total lull with occasionally fun gameplay sprinkled in, intentionally reminding you of early mainline Yakuza/Like A Dragon, but nothing memorable to write home about than just boredom. I don't know how RGG or Sega can look at this with the small content provided and think this was definitely worth charging 30 bucks.
I love Kaito and think this makes, conceptually, a good case for how he should step-up as being a proper main protagonist in a hypothetical Judgment 3, but woof man this was mid incarnate. I was disappointed by how the supporting cast in Lost Judgment got shelved but this didn't bother to make up for that either. A very perplexing choice to make a story expansion around Kaito's past but Higashi is hardly involved at all and the Matsugane stuff isn't really deepened whatsoever. Outside of Jun and the final boss, the story was a total lull with occasionally fun gameplay sprinkled in, intentionally reminding you of early mainline Yakuza/Like A Dragon, but nothing memorable to write home about than just boredom. I don't know how RGG or Sega can look at this with the small content provided and think this was definitely worth charging 30 bucks.
Stellar story DLC for what is (in my opinion) one of the finest entries in the greater yakuza/Like a drogon universe. RGG really outdid themselves.
Im being very honest, this is what I expected from Gaiden before it came out: a short but immensely character focused experience that doesnt meander around for too long while remaining true to the series' humanity. While I believe there's definitely room for side content here to improve its replayability, I cant help but admire how focused it is to bringing humanity to my favourite himbo in the series: Masaharu Kaito.
The DLC feels like RGG coming back and exploring the ideas and themes set in stone all the way back in Yakuza 1 with the writing experience theyve had for over a decade now. Kaito more or less goes through the same struggles as Kiryu minus the ten year joint: running away from those he loves, weighing how much being bound by blood affects the bonds we have and the strength we posess to fight for the ones we love. Its a clean slate to Kaito compared to the jumbled predicament that Kiryu is currently in and it really invites a breath of fresh air for Kaito to get a well deserved happy ending.
Plot wise Im happy to say that the quality of writing within the plot is just as good as the first Judgment, which I hold in high regard!
Twists are kept to a minimum this time around, I think I can only remember 3 or so and most of them are very minor. It also has probably the most heartwarming ending in the series and with everything Kaito, Jun and Mikiko have been through, I couldnt be more happy.
Combat is just recycled Beast and Brawler from o but with minor tweaks to suit LJ's playstyle and they work so well here. Like Yagami, Kaito is all about the flow and starts off slow before becoming a lightning bruiser once you get the speed boosts. One problem I have is thst juggling is alot harder this time but the weight of the combat more than makes up for that fluidity.
All in all, A throughly engaging DLC that wastes no time in relishing in the humanity of its characters by using the plot as a vehicle for character development rather than the other way around, suceeding with flying colours. Ill definitely get on the PS2 Yakuza games before Infinite Wealth, which I might cop during the holidays. Nobody does it like them man
The DLC feels like RGG coming back and exploring the ideas and themes set in stone all the way back in Yakuza 1 with the writing experience theyve had for over a decade now. Kaito more or less goes through the same struggles as Kiryu minus the ten year joint: running away from those he loves, weighing how much being bound by blood affects the bonds we have and the strength we posess to fight for the ones we love. Its a clean slate to Kaito compared to the jumbled predicament that Kiryu is currently in and it really invites a breath of fresh air for Kaito to get a well deserved happy ending.
Plot wise Im happy to say that the quality of writing within the plot is just as good as the first Judgment, which I hold in high regard!
Twists are kept to a minimum this time around, I think I can only remember 3 or so and most of them are very minor. It also has probably the most heartwarming ending in the series and with everything Kaito, Jun and Mikiko have been through, I couldnt be more happy.
Combat is just recycled Beast and Brawler from o but with minor tweaks to suit LJ's playstyle and they work so well here. Like Yagami, Kaito is all about the flow and starts off slow before becoming a lightning bruiser once you get the speed boosts. One problem I have is thst juggling is alot harder this time but the weight of the combat more than makes up for that fluidity.
All in all, A throughly engaging DLC that wastes no time in relishing in the humanity of its characters by using the plot as a vehicle for character development rather than the other way around, suceeding with flying colours. Ill definitely get on the PS2 Yakuza games before Infinite Wealth, which I might cop during the holidays. Nobody does it like them man
The only full fledged story DLC this series has ever dropped. How'd they do? For my money, decent. Thirty bucks is steep though. I got it on sale so I'm not upset with how much I paid but I think that price tag is pushing it. There's nothing in the way of side content. Could break us off like maybe 10 substories or something like that. Of varying size. Just to have something else to do. The game stops you a couple times and ask, "is there anything left you wanna do? sure you wanna leave now?" like uh yeah? fuck else am I gonna go do? Play Virtua Fighter and order Ramen? I did that in the main game already.
That aside, I enjoyed the story. It was an RGG Mystery that refrained from involving mass government conspiracy so that's an achievement. Kaito is satisfying to play as. He's more of a brute than Yagami. His two styles are obviously aped from Kiryu's but there's enough little differences to make it passable. I'd rec this for the die hards of the franchise. Otherwise? You can live without it.
That aside, I enjoyed the story. It was an RGG Mystery that refrained from involving mass government conspiracy so that's an achievement. Kaito is satisfying to play as. He's more of a brute than Yagami. His two styles are obviously aped from Kiryu's but there's enough little differences to make it passable. I'd rec this for the die hards of the franchise. Otherwise? You can live without it.
Such a great story, memorable characters, great ending, good plot, fun combat in a short DLC. 30$ is a bit much but I got LJ ultimate edition for 40$ so I don't complain. Only new game+ is missing.
I love kaito!!!