Huh. Color me surprised.
The talk surrounding this game is... mixed and therefore I was expecting to be disappointed. I thought the combat would be unbearable, it did, after all, earn the "blockuza" title. Well... it kinda wasn't bad.
First off - if you, like me, buy all the Yakuza games on a modern platform to play them chronologically you will be faced with a jarring jump from Kiwami 2 to Yakuza 3. After beating a full remake released in 2016 you immediately get thrown into an early PS3 title with a bumped resolution and framerate. It's not like it deeply disturbed me - it has a certain charm and the game definitely didn't age too bad, but it is nonetheless a noticeable downgrade.
But, as to not be too negative, I have to admit the game looks and feels pretty good. Definitely not ugly, although the faces on some of the background characters and some of the animations (goodness, the walking animation of the children...) are so bad that they kinda crack me up. I think the new locations, especially the beach in front of Morning Glory, look pretty great.
In terms of combat... I heard that it's messed up because of the increased framerate, the AI is not used to twice the original speed and the heat meter goes down too fast. I'm certainly willing to believe that, but I will not verify it. What I can verify is that the enemies certainly block a lot. It's not too bad when you're fighting groups of weaker enemies, the game is actually a lot of fun in those moments, but some of the bosses are really nerve-racking. By the end of the game you should have combos long enough to break through the block and get some hits in, but that doesn't really mitigate the issue. It's just annoying and time-wasting. Overall the combat feels fine, I saw no point in the weapon system that they seemed to be pushing. I didn't feel like engaging with the whole upgrade stuff so I was running around with the starting stick and it didn't deal a whole lot of damage outside of heat actions, but hey, I managed. The game is overall much easier than it's predecessors.
When it comes to wasting time, this game offers you a lot of occasions to walk around the city aimlessly until you finally bump into the person you were looking for or to chase people around the very same city. Those sequences were actually the only times that I got to see the game over screen. Also the random combat encounters are much harder to dodge because they're really not well signified. Annoying stuff.
Finally, the story. I actually think it's fantastic. Right behind 0's. A well put together conspiracy with high stakes coupled with a cast of characters that I actually cared about? And a great villain to boot? AND multiple fatherhood themes? I actually almost teared up at times. These Japanese fellas know how to get to me.
All in all, probably my 2nd favorite in the series. Hope they follow it up well with... Yakuza 4! Coming soon.
It's spring-break so I'm gonna have a lot more time to spend in Kamurocho. Expect the next review very soon.
The talk surrounding this game is... mixed and therefore I was expecting to be disappointed. I thought the combat would be unbearable, it did, after all, earn the "blockuza" title. Well... it kinda wasn't bad.
First off - if you, like me, buy all the Yakuza games on a modern platform to play them chronologically you will be faced with a jarring jump from Kiwami 2 to Yakuza 3. After beating a full remake released in 2016 you immediately get thrown into an early PS3 title with a bumped resolution and framerate. It's not like it deeply disturbed me - it has a certain charm and the game definitely didn't age too bad, but it is nonetheless a noticeable downgrade.
But, as to not be too negative, I have to admit the game looks and feels pretty good. Definitely not ugly, although the faces on some of the background characters and some of the animations (goodness, the walking animation of the children...) are so bad that they kinda crack me up. I think the new locations, especially the beach in front of Morning Glory, look pretty great.
In terms of combat... I heard that it's messed up because of the increased framerate, the AI is not used to twice the original speed and the heat meter goes down too fast. I'm certainly willing to believe that, but I will not verify it. What I can verify is that the enemies certainly block a lot. It's not too bad when you're fighting groups of weaker enemies, the game is actually a lot of fun in those moments, but some of the bosses are really nerve-racking. By the end of the game you should have combos long enough to break through the block and get some hits in, but that doesn't really mitigate the issue. It's just annoying and time-wasting. Overall the combat feels fine, I saw no point in the weapon system that they seemed to be pushing. I didn't feel like engaging with the whole upgrade stuff so I was running around with the starting stick and it didn't deal a whole lot of damage outside of heat actions, but hey, I managed. The game is overall much easier than it's predecessors.
When it comes to wasting time, this game offers you a lot of occasions to walk around the city aimlessly until you finally bump into the person you were looking for or to chase people around the very same city. Those sequences were actually the only times that I got to see the game over screen. Also the random combat encounters are much harder to dodge because they're really not well signified. Annoying stuff.
Finally, the story. I actually think it's fantastic. Right behind 0's. A well put together conspiracy with high stakes coupled with a cast of characters that I actually cared about? And a great villain to boot? AND multiple fatherhood themes? I actually almost teared up at times. These Japanese fellas know how to get to me.
All in all, probably my 2nd favorite in the series. Hope they follow it up well with... Yakuza 4! Coming soon.
It's spring-break so I'm gonna have a lot more time to spend in Kamurocho. Expect the next review very soon.
mash square square square triangle to silence a so-called "blocking simulator"-saying halfwit
combat can be annoying but most of the people who hate it just suck at the game and are not capable of doing anything other than mash square if you call it blockuza you suck
lau ka long can kiss my ass tho
lau ka long can kiss my ass tho
overhated
Todas las peleas contra los jefes es como un niño de 4 años peleándose contra Hulk Hogan
This review contains spoilers
Which is more interesting: Kiryu having to deal with a multiple government association plot about a power struggle for a piece of land involving his father figure's long lost twin who also happens works for the CIA and a black market weapons dealing organization led by a white guy named andre richardson who also is a secret agent in the CIA OR kiryu helping his orphan son cope with the fact he may not be able to one day become a wrestler due to the asthma he has and cheering him up by setting up a wrestling ring and having a wrestling show with his island buddy to cheer up his orphans?
Ok let me just start by saying, this game's combat isn't bad, it just sucks to play with no upgrades. I love this game.
On my 3rd replay, I realized this game's pacing is awful. I love the stuff with Kiryu and his orphanage but it really comes at the expense of the main plot which is pretty short and just feels off. The first 5 chapters are nothing with 2 oddly long ones.
Good game overall, 4 improves on it in every way though IMO.
On my 3rd replay, I realized this game's pacing is awful. I love the stuff with Kiryu and his orphanage but it really comes at the expense of the main plot which is pretty short and just feels off. The first 5 chapters are nothing with 2 oddly long ones.
Good game overall, 4 improves on it in every way though IMO.
Not as bad as I remember but man it can still feel rough around the edges. Mine is an autism icon.
Entré a este juego con la sabiduría popular de que ''era el peor de la saga'' o ''es una mierda jugablmente''. Lo que sí me parece verdad es que se nota un huevo que vienes a este juego tras Yakuza Kiwami 2 y el salto es curioso.
Sí, el gameplay de este juego es tosco y producto de su época: concretamente la poca efusividad de ciertos movimientos y la defensa adicional de los jefes hacía el combate no malo pero sí duro de llevar. Luego están los modos adicionales de los que he pasado mucho: me costó un montón pillar el golf, pasé del cabaret pero sí que completé las revelaciones enteras (de lo mejor de este juego)
Pero... Ya está. Esas son mis quejas respecto a este juego. He disfrutado la historia a pesar de que ha sido mucho bombo para justificar ciertas cosas simples. Pero sus personajes me han llegado a la patata. Quizás es porque conecto mucho con las historias que ocurren en localidades pequeñas pero la familia Ryudo me ha llegado al corazón. Rikiya y Mikio podrían ser mis personajes favoritos de la saga por debajo de Ichiban y su panda.
Los niños del orfanato aunque comparto que las partes de la historia principal que haces con ellos se hacen largas no son malas: son parte de la vida de Kiryu, está bien ver como les ayuda y como salen de esta juntos como una familia. Estamos haciendo lo que Kiryu quiere hacer al fin y al cabo.
Majima debería haber hecho más el Majima-baile.
Y el villano principal pues me ha parecido interesante, creo que se puede pulir un poco más en cuanto a diálogo pero sin duda lo recordaré
En resumen: Salgo contento de este juego y no l oconsidero el peor de la saga simplemente porque mi experiencia con el juego fue buena. A ver que me depara el 4.
Sí, el gameplay de este juego es tosco y producto de su época: concretamente la poca efusividad de ciertos movimientos y la defensa adicional de los jefes hacía el combate no malo pero sí duro de llevar. Luego están los modos adicionales de los que he pasado mucho: me costó un montón pillar el golf, pasé del cabaret pero sí que completé las revelaciones enteras (de lo mejor de este juego)
Pero... Ya está. Esas son mis quejas respecto a este juego. He disfrutado la historia a pesar de que ha sido mucho bombo para justificar ciertas cosas simples. Pero sus personajes me han llegado a la patata. Quizás es porque conecto mucho con las historias que ocurren en localidades pequeñas pero la familia Ryudo me ha llegado al corazón. Rikiya y Mikio podrían ser mis personajes favoritos de la saga por debajo de Ichiban y su panda.
Los niños del orfanato aunque comparto que las partes de la historia principal que haces con ellos se hacen largas no son malas: son parte de la vida de Kiryu, está bien ver como les ayuda y como salen de esta juntos como una familia. Estamos haciendo lo que Kiryu quiere hacer al fin y al cabo.
Majima debería haber hecho más el Majima-baile.
Y el villano principal pues me ha parecido interesante, creo que se puede pulir un poco más en cuanto a diálogo pero sin duda lo recordaré
En resumen: Salgo contento de este juego y no l oconsidero el peor de la saga simplemente porque mi experiencia con el juego fue buena. A ver que me depara el 4.
This review contains spoilers
An intermissive for the series: Kiryu's Great Vacation.
The stakes are arguably much lower in this game, leaving place for Kiryu to finally have a bit of a break. Of course, he never catches a break, but for the first time, we get to see him do something he likes doing.
The story focuses a lot on the orphanage, just as much as whatever's happening in the criminal world. If anything, Kiryu wants to deal with the kids much more than with the Yakuza, and for good reasons. So the game does that. Unfortunately, taking care of kids isn't what the average yakuza fan wants (and they're wrong). They want Kiryu kicking ass, not be a super cool guy. Thankfully, I get to see Kiryu be a super cool guy, so this is right up my alley.
Giving a spotlight to every child in the orphanage throughout the story was very heartwarming. I got to enjoy a casual lifestyle, while helping kids stray away from a life that the main character went for. It's a sort of penance for Kiryu, and so his goals and actions end up being more cathartic than you'd might think. People hate this about Yakuza 3, for some reason, but again, they just want to mash Square in front of a dude blocking every attack.
Unfortunately, the story's not all sunshine and rainbows, or all good writing, for that matter. Should Rikiya, a new character in the series have any fate, perhaps giving him the one we had to witness shouldn't be as infuriating as it is, to say the least. Bonus points for dragging on his death with sappy music and, for the first time, Kiryu pouring his heart and soul for a friend he just made. I just sat there, waiting for the scene to end. In the end, Rikiya dying didn't even mean anything: There was no rhyme or reason for him to keel over, not even a motivator to keep things going. The writer(s) decided to just write off a character whom I loved from first meeting, because... ???
Yakuza 3 is also, yet again, a case of not really knowing how I should be rating an installment of a multi-part series. Combat felt watered down and kind of frustrating for different reasons from the other games: Enemies block WAY too much. You have a semi-solution to it (don't button mash). I still enjoyed it for what it was, at least... I feel like that's it. This really was an intermission for the next game, although I can't imagine someone's reaction to the ending of this game after what happens right before the credits. That'd be a right-A dick move, if nothing happened after the credits.
I also spoiled this game to someone unknowingly so I'm gonna go kick my own ass to oblivion. Be right back.
The stakes are arguably much lower in this game, leaving place for Kiryu to finally have a bit of a break. Of course, he never catches a break, but for the first time, we get to see him do something he likes doing.
The story focuses a lot on the orphanage, just as much as whatever's happening in the criminal world. If anything, Kiryu wants to deal with the kids much more than with the Yakuza, and for good reasons. So the game does that. Unfortunately, taking care of kids isn't what the average yakuza fan wants (and they're wrong). They want Kiryu kicking ass, not be a super cool guy. Thankfully, I get to see Kiryu be a super cool guy, so this is right up my alley.
Giving a spotlight to every child in the orphanage throughout the story was very heartwarming. I got to enjoy a casual lifestyle, while helping kids stray away from a life that the main character went for. It's a sort of penance for Kiryu, and so his goals and actions end up being more cathartic than you'd might think. People hate this about Yakuza 3, for some reason, but again, they just want to mash Square in front of a dude blocking every attack.
Unfortunately, the story's not all sunshine and rainbows, or all good writing, for that matter. Should Rikiya, a new character in the series have any fate, perhaps giving him the one we had to witness shouldn't be as infuriating as it is, to say the least. Bonus points for dragging on his death with sappy music and, for the first time, Kiryu pouring his heart and soul for a friend he just made. I just sat there, waiting for the scene to end. In the end, Rikiya dying didn't even mean anything: There was no rhyme or reason for him to keel over, not even a motivator to keep things going. The writer(s) decided to just write off a character whom I loved from first meeting, because... ???
Yakuza 3 is also, yet again, a case of not really knowing how I should be rating an installment of a multi-part series. Combat felt watered down and kind of frustrating for different reasons from the other games: Enemies block WAY too much. You have a semi-solution to it (don't button mash). I still enjoyed it for what it was, at least... I feel like that's it. This really was an intermission for the next game, although I can't imagine someone's reaction to the ending of this game after what happens right before the credits. That'd be a right-A dick move, if nothing happened after the credits.
I also spoiled this game to someone unknowingly so I'm gonna go kick my own ass to oblivion. Be right back.
Merci Mine le reste on dort