Skidge
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2015
The beginning of my Yakuza journey and what an incredible start. Yakuza 0 is an absolute masterpiece. I loved the story, the minigames, substories, everything. The only thing I didn't get into so much was the skill trees etc. I just made sure my health and power were jacked up and that saw me through to the end pretty easily.
I adore this game. Some bits are insane, but I don't think I ever didn't have fun.
I adore this game. Some bits are insane, but I don't think I ever didn't have fun.
It's a small game. I usually take my time with VR games, but this was easily done in a sitting, with all the achievements. But the setting, being in this elevator and seeing all these different worlds, was really fun and inviting. I haven't played the sequel yet, but after this, I think I'll definitely check it out.
Like the first, but grander. Not only does this game make you feel like a super spy, but it makes you feel like you're in a high-budget spy thriller film. The characters are really interesting and watching the story unfold as you complete the puzzles is really fun to witness.
The challenges can be, well, challenging. But that makes it all the more worth it.
The challenges can be, well, challenging. But that makes it all the more worth it.
2016
In a sense it's pretty basic, but the little details really add to the charm of what this game is. I genuinely felt really cool solving these puzzles and working through the game, especially lighting up a cigar and stealing champagne from the bad guys base.
At it's core, it's an escape room, but the package it's wrapped it makes it so much more.
At it's core, it's an escape room, but the package it's wrapped it makes it so much more.
I mean, at it's core it's still GTA 3, which today feels a bit dated. But this is the remaster? It still feels dated? Yes. It does. It's just a HD modpack on the original. The only reason it isn't lower is because it comes with achievements and an updated map, but really there isn't anything it does that a modded original version couldn't do. It still has the original bugs. It's just a cheap re-do.
I first played this on my PS4 and the second time around I really took my time. Messed around with the side stuff, also took some big breaks between playing.
I know it's a bit cliché to call this a masterpiece, but it truly is. The performances are incredible, it's stunningly beautiful, the story is fantastic and it plays like butter. I don't know many people who play video games who I wouldn't recommend this to.
I know it's a bit cliché to call this a masterpiece, but it truly is. The performances are incredible, it's stunningly beautiful, the story is fantastic and it plays like butter. I don't know many people who play video games who I wouldn't recommend this to.