Infinite Wealth has probably the most engaging modern turn based system I've experienced. In a time when I was getting bored of turn based games, this got me interested again. It's unbelievably engaging, taking the combat of Y7 and perfecting it. I mentioned years ago in my video review of Y7 that the combat was surprisingly well done for a first attempt in a long running franchise. And that if they took it further it could really be something special. That's exactly what they did with this game's combat. It's faster, more responsive, more rewarding and satisfying, includes more fun mechanics, and doesn't have the absurd difficulty curve Y7 had towards the end.

The combat isn't the only thing this game perfected. The side content was done in a way that puts all other games coming out to shame. Every mini game is unique, short and sweet, and hilarious. This includes the many throwaway minigames that only show up during side quests and never appear again. In your typical Yakuza game, there'd always be a couple of annoying minigames that make achieving 100% irritating. But here I had fun with every single one of them. From the weird Uber Eats and Tinder minigames to the Pokemon Snap ripoff. The amount of effort and love the devs poured into this game is evident. I'd go as far as to call the gameplay side of Y8 perfect in my eyes. So, why dock a point? When I have nothing but praise for the game and find it to be the best game I've played since like DMC5 in 2019. Why not give it a 5 star rating? It has to do with the writing.

While the story in Y8 isn't anywhere near bad or remotely close to the worst story. Coming from Y7's story it can feel disappointing at times. More so in the 2nd half of the story. It feels like they shoved too much story down our throat in the 2nd half (which is a bit of a common problem with these games). This ruined the pacing of the game for me. Like they needed an extra 2 or 3 chapters or something. That and Kiryu's party isn't all too great. Ichiban is an incredible protagonist for this era of Yakuza because his personality works really well with a JRPG styled game. He is impossible to dislike and is as bright as the sun. Kiryu on the other hand is a lot quieter and stoic. And that worked incredibly for his series of games to show how his circumstances get worse with each game because he refuses to lean on anyone. And in that respect, I like what this game does to contrast Kiryu with Ichiban. Showing the differences in how they both try to handle situations. And then the outcome of Kiryu's arc from Y6 to the end of Y8. I just wish they gave it more time to simmer in the game for it to hit even harder than it did. And gave the party he was with more time to grow together. Because that's exactly what Y7 did. The pacing of the story in that game is incredible and I love every moment of it, even the stupidly ridiculous Mirror Face. Here though, Kiryu's party feels like one of those random group assignments you'd get in school where no one really knows how to naturally talk with one another.

Another thing I wasn't a fan of was Ichiban and Saeko's relationship. I'm all for romance for Ichiban, someone needs a happy romance in these games lol. But the way they handled it felt out of character for both Ichiban and Saeko. I like what they did at the start but then they never followed up on it till literally the end of the game. And even then, it's treated like a gag. It just feels so empty and disappointing. I wish they fleshed out their relationship and their issues from the start of the game if they're going to make them a couple in the following games. If they do follow through with it in Y9 I really hope they actually spend time building a proper relationship between the two of them. I have some other problems here and there but they're nitpicks really (not the devs fault but the nonsense that is NG+ and hard/legend being locked behind a large paywall is pure stupidity). They've made 2 of my favourite Yakuza games back to back and that alone makes me a happy gamer. Here's hoping we get a hat trick.

9/10

Final Fantasy VII is the most popular game in the series and one of the most popular turn based games ever. When I originally played this in 7th grade, I really wasn't too much of a fan. I loathed the game's combat for how slow it was (still kinda do tbh) and wasn't really connecting with the story much. But it's been almost 10 years since then and a lot has changed. One thing I like is how cinematic the game feels. Where VI was much more theatrical, here we have huge explosive moments and characters constantly moving and talking.

Let's start with probably my least favourite aspect of the game which is the gameplay itself. Due to the new animations and flashiness of combat, fights take waaaaay too long. To the point where it genuinely becomes boring or annoying when it's just a random mob fight. It's also too easy. The materia system and limit breaks are dope though. It's an improvement on the esper system from VI due to actual downsides to equipping them and the way they work in battle. But due to the game's poor battle menu system and main menu system, equipping and unequipping them is really annoying. Minigames also pad the game out in a bad way. but there's some great end game content.

The story is definitely the best part of this game. the main characters are relatable, have interesting motives, and are very easy to get attached to due to the setting. The game feels so lonely and desolate that you can't help but attach yourself to these characters you follow. Especially Aerith (my beloved) because of how much of a shining ray she is. She's the only one who's optimistic and helps and guides the rest of the characters. Which makes what happens at the midpoint all the more heartbreaking.

Cloud is an even more interesting character. He's one of the best cases of an unreliable narrator I've seen. And the truth behind his character and how it builds up to it is incredible. The problem though are the other members of the crew. I really wish they were more developed, as much as I like Tifa and Barret, I wanted more from them. And the rest of the crew is kind of an afterthought with some of them even being annoying like Yuffie and Cait Sith. Shinra is really easy to hate and so is Sephiroth at times as well. But Hojo is the biggest villain in the game and I hope he burns for eternity in the worst Hell imaginable.

No matter how many issues I have with the game though. I still really like it. The story is impactful and sticks with you. And maaaaaan, the soundtrack is pure magic. I still love VI's more but something was captured with VII's soundtrack that'll never be captured again.

A solid supernatural mystery that is at its best without knowing anything. The art and presentation of the game are definitely the main highlights. Most character's designs are distinct and the art style is great to look at (including environments). The UI and menus were the most visually impressive to me though due to how well the style fits the atmosphere and era of the game. The game's soundtrack is also great but there were a few moments here and there where the accompanying OST just didn't fit.

In terms of characters, I found a few of them charming, some of them interesting, but also a few that I just didn't like. The story wasn't anything incredible or mind-bending but worked well for the game. The lore was the most interesting part of the game in terms of writing.

I do wish they toned up the horror a bit and made the game more interactive. Most of the scares were in the prologue and after that, there was barely any trace, just some disturbing files that you can read. If you're looking for a game similar to this but one with more interactivity, try the Spirit Hunter series. The writing is far worse but it gives the player a bit more freedom and is more horror-focused.

I'm hoping to see this game turned into a series with new stories because this has immense potential.