This review contains spoilers
Like typical, here is some smaller thoughts before I go over it in more detail when I finally get around to reviewing all these games in full. Also spoilers ahead
-The Combat is very easily one of the best in the series. While it does suck Boxer was locked as DLC, all the styles are really fun and provide a lot of interesting ways to approach combat. The ability to style swap mid combo almost instantly makes things feel very kinetic and fluid, and the Mortal Reversal System is much MUCH better than the Mortal Wound stuff. Sure guns still are fucking mean, but now you got ways to counter them, and any really mean attack enemies throw at you.
-I'll have to sit on the story for a bit longer but I got to say I do like it more upon revisiting it, but I also can note a couple things I did notice disliking. The beginning mainly felt kind of slow pacing wise, and I am admittedly a little unsure how to feel about Yoko Sawa's death being the biggest thing Yagami's argument keeps circling back to whenever the main point of the plot goes by. It's not like a bad thing, but something about it feels clumsy, and I can't exactly point out what... Otherwise it's a really neat plot.
-I think the side content in the game is crazy however. While Yakuza 5 still has sheer size to it, LJ still has a lot to unpack in it's school stories as through exploring some of the clubs like the Dance Club or Biker Gang, you get whole new styles of gameplays, or altered and expanded upon gameplay with the Girls Bite stuff and especially the Skateboarding stuff. Not to mention that while I love Judgment 1's endgame thing against the Keihen Gang, the refight here along with the story with Itokura and the MRC is honestly really fun to see. Favorite stories were the Biker Gang, Boxing, Skateboarding, and Robotics Club. Great stories, really fun gameplay or both.
-This is an odd point for me to go over but now that I've sat on it for a bit, I like how LJ looks a lot more to it's predecessor in it's visuals. Not only are there more colors to work with, but they got rid of the smoky filter in exchange for a more vibrant energy that looks really good for everyone. Also the music in this game is really good. I mean that's RGG in general, but special mention to some of the chase tracks, Dig in your Heels, Unwavering Belief, and this game's take on Destination with "Final Destination" being the backing track to the last little dungeon before the final fights. Really good stuff here.
Overall, I think I can now say I like this more Judgement 1 pretty confident. Though I do still hold at least a bit that I do like a bit more of Judgement's story, mainly because the twist at the end still sticks with me, and it being a little closer to Yagami feels a bit more up my alley. That being said, this story does hit a lot harder than I remembered. I can give it that. Also shout outs to Sugiura, Tsukumo, Higashi, and the addition from the Yokohama Liumang, Tesso. Love that guy.
Onto the Kaito FIles
-The Combat is very easily one of the best in the series. While it does suck Boxer was locked as DLC, all the styles are really fun and provide a lot of interesting ways to approach combat. The ability to style swap mid combo almost instantly makes things feel very kinetic and fluid, and the Mortal Reversal System is much MUCH better than the Mortal Wound stuff. Sure guns still are fucking mean, but now you got ways to counter them, and any really mean attack enemies throw at you.
-I'll have to sit on the story for a bit longer but I got to say I do like it more upon revisiting it, but I also can note a couple things I did notice disliking. The beginning mainly felt kind of slow pacing wise, and I am admittedly a little unsure how to feel about Yoko Sawa's death being the biggest thing Yagami's argument keeps circling back to whenever the main point of the plot goes by. It's not like a bad thing, but something about it feels clumsy, and I can't exactly point out what... Otherwise it's a really neat plot.
-I think the side content in the game is crazy however. While Yakuza 5 still has sheer size to it, LJ still has a lot to unpack in it's school stories as through exploring some of the clubs like the Dance Club or Biker Gang, you get whole new styles of gameplays, or altered and expanded upon gameplay with the Girls Bite stuff and especially the Skateboarding stuff. Not to mention that while I love Judgment 1's endgame thing against the Keihen Gang, the refight here along with the story with Itokura and the MRC is honestly really fun to see. Favorite stories were the Biker Gang, Boxing, Skateboarding, and Robotics Club. Great stories, really fun gameplay or both.
-This is an odd point for me to go over but now that I've sat on it for a bit, I like how LJ looks a lot more to it's predecessor in it's visuals. Not only are there more colors to work with, but they got rid of the smoky filter in exchange for a more vibrant energy that looks really good for everyone. Also the music in this game is really good. I mean that's RGG in general, but special mention to some of the chase tracks, Dig in your Heels, Unwavering Belief, and this game's take on Destination with "Final Destination" being the backing track to the last little dungeon before the final fights. Really good stuff here.
Overall, I think I can now say I like this more Judgement 1 pretty confident. Though I do still hold at least a bit that I do like a bit more of Judgement's story, mainly because the twist at the end still sticks with me, and it being a little closer to Yagami feels a bit more up my alley. That being said, this story does hit a lot harder than I remembered. I can give it that. Also shout outs to Sugiura, Tsukumo, Higashi, and the addition from the Yokohama Liumang, Tesso. Love that guy.
Onto the Kaito FIles