MugiwaraJM
Yakuza: Like A Dragon is not only my new favorite entry in the Yakuza franchise, it is also one of the JRPGs I've ever played, and one of the best games I've ever played PERIOD.
The story and gameplay are as hilarious as it is emotional, the characters are loveable and Ichiban is more than a worthy successor to Kazuma Kiryu as the franchise's new protagonist. I cannot recommend it enough, and what an amazing way to cap off the Yakuza marathon I started with my friend/LP cohost way back when the pandemic started after 8 games.
I EAGERLY await the arrival of Like A Dragon 8 next year. What a ride!
The story and gameplay are as hilarious as it is emotional, the characters are loveable and Ichiban is more than a worthy successor to Kazuma Kiryu as the franchise's new protagonist. I cannot recommend it enough, and what an amazing way to cap off the Yakuza marathon I started with my friend/LP cohost way back when the pandemic started after 8 games.
I EAGERLY await the arrival of Like A Dragon 8 next year. What a ride!
It is astonishing that a completely free, April Fool's Day visual novel game is one of the best Sonic games in the last couple years.
Gameplay is okay, but the art and the writing are top notch and a lot of love went into it.
Gameplay is okay, but the art and the writing are top notch and a lot of love went into it.
2023
A phenomenal remake of an already great game! While the voice acting is a little stilted for some characters, the gameplay and overall characterization of the cast are massive improvements I couldn't have foreseen.
Potential GOTY 2023 for me!
Potential GOTY 2023 for me!
I almost like this more than the main game! A nice little expansion to wrap up this entire saga in a bow, with some mechanics I had issues with in the base game getting some surprising tweaks I really appreciated.
2021
A solid start to the legendary series! Though it lacks in story compared to the other games and the final boss can be real rough, it's easy to see why this took the gaming world by storm back in the day.
2021
While I love that this has a darker story and actual characters compared to the generic templates in 1, the leveling system is a tedious without the EXP boosters the remasters provided and the dungeons are not fun.
Outside tougher challenge bosses that include characters that weren't in the main game, this is an inferior expansion. Random battles and exploration are almost removed entirely for a bland, on-the-rails story.
Outclasses Breath of the Wild by a country mile. With an engaging plot compared to BotW, vast improvements and added challenge to gameplay, with seemingly endless ways to play, this is the new gold standard for me.
2021
While an improvement compared to first two games and the richly expanded job system rules, I would've been totally lost on how to progress without a guide most of the time.
The final dungeon is too long too.
The final dungeon is too long too.
A fascinatingly bonkers take on the murder mystery visual novel genre I could not have predicted if I tried. I love the story and cast, even characters I started out hating grew on me eventually.
Can't wait to play the sequel soon!
Can't wait to play the sequel soon!
2023
While I loved the story, characters, music, etc. like I have the other Persona games, it's hard to grade this higher when the exploration and cutscenes were gutted for a VN aesthetic and compressed JPEG backgrounds that hinder the overall presentation.
The final boss absolutely sucks, too.
The final boss absolutely sucks, too.
2021
My personal favorite FF of the "classic" era so far. This one was considered the standard bearer for a reason, as it boasted rich story and characters, great music, tightened gameplay, and (mostly) evenly paced dungeons.
What you see is what you get: Yakuza but set in the in Edo Japan, & that's not a bad thing! A brief but fun return to the action genre with an emotionally rewarding story & seeing familiar faces from the series' past in another context.
With a fun and hilarious story, a fun story, an earworm of a soundtrack by the great Yoko Shimomura and unending fun gameplay make this a timeless classic RPG, even for a 2nd time. I am PUMPED for the remake!
2001
Even after what's probably my 12th playthrough, I still find joy in this short but sweet Gamecube launch title. There is so much personality, charm and fun to this game particularly, I still see myself replaying it again every so often.