I'm a Yakuza series fan, having completed chapters 0 and 7, and I love the setting, characters, and stories. When I heard about the remastered/remake/"whatever people call it" of the Ishin chapter, I was immediately drawn to it. Few open-world games feature Japan, let alone a realistic one without monsters. Just like I mentioned in my Red Dead Redemption 2 review, that game redefined open-world checklists for me. It took over 100 hours to complete this one because I wanted to experience every piece of content, even defeating one of the series' legendary secret boss.

While the gameplay may seem familiar for a Yakuza game, the inclusion of swords and guns introduces three remarkably distinct fighting styles, making combat more enjoyable than ever before (I say 3 because I never used the fists only style, almost a meme in this game tbh). It's not just about "my fists deal more damage" as equipment upgrades provide a tangible sense of progression.

The story is as epic as any in the series, and there's not much more to say about that. My only regret is missing just ONE fish to complete my collection :((

In summary, this is a highly recommended game that offers a fast-paced, fun experience with an intriguing setting and thrilling fights. It's a must-play for the series fans, especially with its upcoming availability on Game Pass!