Skidge
2016
Coming off of Yakuza 0, this one feels a bit different. It's good, don't get me wrong, but while it's a remaster, it doesn't update some of the janky boss fights. It feels more like a fan mod, than a sequel.
But it's still an essential part of the Kiryu saga and has some fun new updates, minigames and substories. Though, if you're not a die-hard fan, you could probably watch a playthrough rather than play it. Personally, I'm still glad I played it.
But it's still an essential part of the Kiryu saga and has some fun new updates, minigames and substories. Though, if you're not a die-hard fan, you could probably watch a playthrough rather than play it. Personally, I'm still glad I played it.
2017
After Kiwami, I was expecting something similar, but to think this was ever based off a PS2 game is mind blowing. Chronologically the first to use the Dragon Engine, it's just beefed up enough for some extremely satisfying gameplay.
A big gripe I usually see from fans is the story can be somewhat "jumped the shark"esque, though I think the crazy storyline really shows off what Yakuza is, just on a slightly bigger scale.
Loved it.
A big gripe I usually see from fans is the story can be somewhat "jumped the shark"esque, though I think the crazy storyline really shows off what Yakuza is, just on a slightly bigger scale.
Loved it.
2018
I mean, it's good. But after playing a prequel and two remakes, it makes this one a bit rough. The story is probably my least favourite of the series but that's not saying much, since I love all the stories. Honestly I think this one could have done with a Kiwami treatment just to ease that jarring change, since 4 runs a bit smoother.
Sort of like Kiwami 1, if you're a diehard fan it's worth playing, but if you're just casually floating through, you can probably watch a playthrough.
Sort of like Kiwami 1, if you're a diehard fan it's worth playing, but if you're just casually floating through, you can probably watch a playthrough.
2019
The last of the games I originally played on PS4, when they started porting the games to PC.
You've got to love it for the introduction of Akiyama and Saejima. The story is pretty great, though Kiryu definitely takes a bit of a back seat, though it's still an integral part of his story. Yet another great Yakuza entry, still gripping me from start til end.
You've got to love it for the introduction of Akiyama and Saejima. The story is pretty great, though Kiryu definitely takes a bit of a back seat, though it's still an integral part of his story. Yet another great Yakuza entry, still gripping me from start til end.
2019
Oh sweet baby yes, this is the PEAK.
There's nothing here I don't love. The personal mini-games, the characters, the story, the settings, everything is just A-Grade Yakuza for me. My favourite in the series. Absolutely adore it. Some people say there are skippable Yakuza games, but if there are this is NOT one of them.
There's nothing here I don't love. The personal mini-games, the characters, the story, the settings, everything is just A-Grade Yakuza for me. My favourite in the series. Absolutely adore it. Some people say there are skippable Yakuza games, but if there are this is NOT one of them.
This review contains spoilers
It's all been leading up to this really. The end of Kiryu's main-line adventure.
Watching the characters age and grow and go through all these adventures, this one really hits hard, emotionally. The ending just grips my heart every time I see it. Kiryu is a fantastic character and seeing him reach a conclusion is so bittersweet.
Just an incredible game. The only downside is this is using a slightly downgraded version of the Dragon engine that Kiwami 2 uses, so it doesn't feel quite as tight. But it's still incredibly satisfying to play.
Watching the characters age and grow and go through all these adventures, this one really hits hard, emotionally. The ending just grips my heart every time I see it. Kiryu is a fantastic character and seeing him reach a conclusion is so bittersweet.
Just an incredible game. The only downside is this is using a slightly downgraded version of the Dragon engine that Kiwami 2 uses, so it doesn't feel quite as tight. But it's still incredibly satisfying to play.
I'm sorry but it's just the combat. The new combat does not do it for me.
I don't mind turn based really, in fact when I heard about the change I was looking forward to it. But I just find it so hard to play. It's okay for the first few chapters, then suddenly it's just hard as nails. Even going back to level up, get new weapons etc, it was just luck of getting a good hit. I'm not happy to say it, but I only managed to finish it using cheats.
Everything else was immaculate. It looked incredible, I LOVE Ichiban and the new gang of characters and the story was so much fun. But the fighting is so much of the game, it just put a huge damper on it for me.
I hope the next game in the series will teak the fighting.
I don't mind turn based really, in fact when I heard about the change I was looking forward to it. But I just find it so hard to play. It's okay for the first few chapters, then suddenly it's just hard as nails. Even going back to level up, get new weapons etc, it was just luck of getting a good hit. I'm not happy to say it, but I only managed to finish it using cheats.
Everything else was immaculate. It looked incredible, I LOVE Ichiban and the new gang of characters and the story was so much fun. But the fighting is so much of the game, it just put a huge damper on it for me.
I hope the next game in the series will teak the fighting.
2018
THANK YOU SEGA FOR PORTING THIS TO PC.
I originally played the first few chapters on my PS4, but getting to play it on PC with better frames and visuals really proves how gorgeous this game is. Of course, RGG still supplies us with an incredible story and cast of characters. Like the Yakuza games, I could probably easily replay this in the future.
The only reason it's not 4.5 or 5 stars was just because I didn't always get along with the combat and I feel like the trailing missions were overused. But honestly, this game is amazing and I highly recommend it.
I originally played the first few chapters on my PS4, but getting to play it on PC with better frames and visuals really proves how gorgeous this game is. Of course, RGG still supplies us with an incredible story and cast of characters. Like the Yakuza games, I could probably easily replay this in the future.
The only reason it's not 4.5 or 5 stars was just because I didn't always get along with the combat and I feel like the trailing missions were overused. But honestly, this game is amazing and I highly recommend it.
2014
A game I picked up on a whim one Steam sale a few years back but only got around to playing recently.
Honestly it's a little bit hidden gem. It's pretty short and there isn't a lot of branching story apart from somewhere near the end.
There's a cool character swapping mechanic which I found to be really interesting, though it's pretty clear there's sometimes you're meant to be playing as one or the other.
Overall, I had a good time. A nice little story, not too complex but nothing ground breaking. If you've got a few hours, I'd say give it a go.
Honestly it's a little bit hidden gem. It's pretty short and there isn't a lot of branching story apart from somewhere near the end.
There's a cool character swapping mechanic which I found to be really interesting, though it's pretty clear there's sometimes you're meant to be playing as one or the other.
Overall, I had a good time. A nice little story, not too complex but nothing ground breaking. If you've got a few hours, I'd say give it a go.
2016
I played this game at the beginning and it was great. Being chased, trying to escape and working together with random teammates was really thrilling.
Over the years though, it seems the developers got greedy, a lot of the player base got toxic and everything just went south. It got to the point where I couldn't even find a game in matchmaking when I decided I was finished.
I wish they didn't license characters either. Their original killers are really cool, but they decided to put in Michael, who is honestly the worst looking rendition I've ever seen.
When I can find a game, every now and then, I have a great time. But the rest of the time, I'm stuck with griefers, which I assume makes a bad time for the killer, too. Shame, too. I remember having the time of my life back in 2016.
Over the years though, it seems the developers got greedy, a lot of the player base got toxic and everything just went south. It got to the point where I couldn't even find a game in matchmaking when I decided I was finished.
I wish they didn't license characters either. Their original killers are really cool, but they decided to put in Michael, who is honestly the worst looking rendition I've ever seen.
When I can find a game, every now and then, I have a great time. But the rest of the time, I'm stuck with griefers, which I assume makes a bad time for the killer, too. Shame, too. I remember having the time of my life back in 2016.
I love Vice City. This version is... pretty, I guess? It brings proper controller functionality (on Steam anyways, I've heard the Epic version doesn't work but I can't confirm) but just like III, these remasters feel pointless. Apart from real controller support, it doesn't do much that mods couldn't achieve.
They've also upped the vehicle density, but they didn't fix the AI at all, so you're gonna see a lot of cars just slamming into each other, flipping and exploding, driving like maniacs and a lot of other stuff. It can make for some funny times, but it also looks weird.
They've also upped the vehicle density, but they didn't fix the AI at all, so you're gonna see a lot of cars just slamming into each other, flipping and exploding, driving like maniacs and a lot of other stuff. It can make for some funny times, but it also looks weird.
2009
L4D2 just does it right. I can't really explain it, but it does. I can infinitely pick this game up and go through the campaigns. If you get bored there's so many fan made maps that are incredibly made, and thousands of mods to tweak everything from visuals to mechanics. Great alone or with some friends.
Mmmmm! That's good Spyro. My favourite Spyro game and one of my favourites of all time. I love picking it up and doing a level or two between other things. Fantastic game.
2022
Great puzzle game to go through with a friend. A fun story that goes throughout the whole series. If you've got a pal to play through it with, do it.
I love San Andreas so much. It's one of my favourites in the GTA series. You can tell this one had a bit more love than the other two GTA Defnitives but it's still broken. The radio will sometimes stop, it stutters in the towns, some garages, like the police garage, are just not accessible due to broken invisible walls and the list goes on. I had a good time but I'd probably have had a better one just playing the originals. The only reason I went through it was for the achievements.
Honestly, for III, VC and SA, just play the originals.
Honestly, for III, VC and SA, just play the originals.