This review contains spoilers
"Me? I'll take on the yakuza's past."
But you... I want you to handle their future."
My thoughts are quite loaded with this point in the series where we officially have a second round with Ichiban's game as Ichiban and this franchise has become quite popular to the point where SEGA deems the infamous "NG+ dlc" worldwide as they did with the last game. Is this game worthy enough to be a banger like the last game in the series? Well, as you have seen the review rating, I think that this game is one of THE best in the series--better than Yakuza/Like a Dragon 0 and 7 which is a high monument in my book making something special to me. It continues the story of one protagonist while wrapping the long-winding story of another.
First off, the gameplay has significantly improved with immense QoL features and battle mechanics that makes fighting games in the turn-based combat really fun. Like a Dragon 7 has that bit of strategy in it where position is kind of crucial to maximize damage, but this sequel officially takes that into accounts. Weapon attacks, proximity bonuses, and back attacks are some new, some old mechanics that have been polished on and refine the combat. Every buff, attack, and essence move that are categorized as AoEs with their own marker either a as line, circle, or cone (if I forget some things about LaD7 combat you can tell me it has been a while since I played it last time). There will be some times where not everyone in the party a buff or a heal, which I like as you need to consider where you are and what can you in this situation that is best. In addition, you have the hype mechanic where you perform special attacks that provide buffs and/or attacks, more-so interesting when you play as Kiryu. You get to fully control him just as if you were playing his games that not only sets the mood that he can't go "all-out" as much anymore due to cancer and old age which ties well for both story and gameplay on a deeper level; he also has access to style switching which for his exclusive job as Dragon of Dojima which is really cool to see implemented and meshes well with the turn-based RPG format. New jobs are pretty fun too like the female-only kunoichi job that has a skill that's just a free turn pass to another ally (and is pretty busted ngl).
Aside from the combat, the exploration outside of that also presents QoL with a music player, something that I believe that hasn't been present since Like a Dragon 7 which is great to listen to other video game track from SEGA IPs when running around Hawaii. The segway is another added feature that is a pleasure to have along with the fast travel if you prefer to travel on foot for a faster destination. Specking of Hawaii, it is another great sandbox to play minigames and do various content in such as Hawaiian Haunt, Crazy Eats, Sujimon Battles, and more. In fact, the content is so huge that I enjoyed every part of it. None of the minigames were frustrating and are short, simple, and sweet aside except for maybe the Sujimon minigames sometimes unless you're using the DLC Sujimon. There is also Dondoko island--a BEAST of side content that has similarities to animal crossing and the goal is to just have enough visitors come to island while satisfying them enough for a lot of money. I have several problems with as it can get a little boring a times and grinding money from it is not really worth it and time consuming, but frankly that they somehow worked something like THAT into a Like a Dragon game is impressive. Generally speaking the content in this game is huge to put it straight. There is so much to do that you will never be bored along with the great substories involved too. One of those substories even made me cry if I'm being blunt with the amazing voice acting they put into it.
Now we have the most important aspect of both being an RGG game slash RPG game: story and writing. I honestly did not see anything wrong with the story through my time playing it. This well-crafted and emotional colossus of a story was the best thing I've ever experienced in the franchise. Ichiban, who wants a future for the yakuza to integrate back into society and Kiryu that wants to confront the past of not just his life but the yakuza was so perfect. Ichiban continues to be a great protagonist that pushes the series forward with his powerful and kind outlook that gives others hope even when it is at its most bleak. His interactions with Tomizawa and Chitose are just phenomenal as to why people still continue to love this guy till this day. Hawaii being a playground for Ichiban with his confirmed native Hawaiian heritage was just right with the other subtle themes too. Ichiban getting the chance to meet Akane and offer Arakawa's ashes to his actual mom was genuinely the sweetest moment ever for him and made me weep. Said subtle theme I mentioned is one who sees the kindness in Palekana and that there are genuinely nice people in it, while Bryce usurps the title of sage through evil means and wants to use it as a tool for his own ends. Genuinely terrifying to see stuff like him using kahus as a firing squad and using ritualistic combat to make the faithful even more faithful like a modern cult. After this we get one of the best ending cutscene sequence in a Yakuza game by far for both Ichiban and Kiryu.
On the other hand, Kiryu secludes behind his prison that is with the Daidoji Faction until he realizes he doesn't have to take all of it on his own, and when he understands that his time his short he planned to make most of it by visiting past characters in the franchise with Date or to remind himself that he isn't just some legend of Kamurocho--he is a hero that has saved others and made them happy. The bucket list and memoirs are a perfect note to invite those past characters to remind Kiryu that he is genuinely an amazing guy who has done so much for others and that they're willing to stick their necks out for him even if it was chaotic at the time due to him. Every moment when you got to play as Kiryu was genuinely a powerful experience to me as I've been apart of this series for 6 whole damn years ever since seeing a cool little game called Yakuza 0 on the GameStop shelf. The conclusion that wraps up, fighting Ebina who hates the yakuza to the bitter end and wants every one of them to suffer who clashes with that someone who will carry the sins of every yakuza on their back made me break down. It was drama put into the crime drama. The past of yakuza that will come and go to a powerful ending for an iconic character that regained his name.
Every character was fun, had charm, and had great endings that tied up nicely. As someone who did every drink link and friendship bingo with the walk & talks Chitose and Tomizawa were amazing, fresh additions to the party and the writing for them was always the best. Tomizawa is tragic and Chistose is shackled to a rich family name, but finding that hope in spending time with Ichiban and resolving their problems made me quick to love these character the mode I spent time with them and their interactions. Seonhee is also added as an official party member, and to not repeat myself she is also great! It's cute to see the side of her that fangirls over Kiryu and knowing her casual side other than just being the calculated leader of the Geomijul.
Simply put, as I have I said, this is just the best RGG game I've ever played. Sure, there's the problem of the DLC bullshit and that stuff, but I cannot deny my heart from how much I love everything about this game (not that I'm trying to excuse that $20 for ng+ and hard mode is good or fair, if you rate its quality lower because of that then it is fine). From start to finish this has been all highs and positives for me and the story, as you can say, has me getting infinite thoughts about it. RGG has managed to push the series into a big boom of potential possibilities and has made this entry wildly successful. It's fucking kino and it deserves it.
But you... I want you to handle their future."
My thoughts are quite loaded with this point in the series where we officially have a second round with Ichiban's game as Ichiban and this franchise has become quite popular to the point where SEGA deems the infamous "NG+ dlc" worldwide as they did with the last game. Is this game worthy enough to be a banger like the last game in the series? Well, as you have seen the review rating, I think that this game is one of THE best in the series--better than Yakuza/Like a Dragon 0 and 7 which is a high monument in my book making something special to me. It continues the story of one protagonist while wrapping the long-winding story of another.
First off, the gameplay has significantly improved with immense QoL features and battle mechanics that makes fighting games in the turn-based combat really fun. Like a Dragon 7 has that bit of strategy in it where position is kind of crucial to maximize damage, but this sequel officially takes that into accounts. Weapon attacks, proximity bonuses, and back attacks are some new, some old mechanics that have been polished on and refine the combat. Every buff, attack, and essence move that are categorized as AoEs with their own marker either a as line, circle, or cone (if I forget some things about LaD7 combat you can tell me it has been a while since I played it last time). There will be some times where not everyone in the party a buff or a heal, which I like as you need to consider where you are and what can you in this situation that is best. In addition, you have the hype mechanic where you perform special attacks that provide buffs and/or attacks, more-so interesting when you play as Kiryu. You get to fully control him just as if you were playing his games that not only sets the mood that he can't go "all-out" as much anymore due to cancer and old age which ties well for both story and gameplay on a deeper level; he also has access to style switching which for his exclusive job as Dragon of Dojima which is really cool to see implemented and meshes well with the turn-based RPG format. New jobs are pretty fun too like the female-only kunoichi job that has a skill that's just a free turn pass to another ally (and is pretty busted ngl).
Aside from the combat, the exploration outside of that also presents QoL with a music player, something that I believe that hasn't been present since Like a Dragon 7 which is great to listen to other video game track from SEGA IPs when running around Hawaii. The segway is another added feature that is a pleasure to have along with the fast travel if you prefer to travel on foot for a faster destination. Specking of Hawaii, it is another great sandbox to play minigames and do various content in such as Hawaiian Haunt, Crazy Eats, Sujimon Battles, and more. In fact, the content is so huge that I enjoyed every part of it. None of the minigames were frustrating and are short, simple, and sweet aside except for maybe the Sujimon minigames sometimes unless you're using the DLC Sujimon. There is also Dondoko island--a BEAST of side content that has similarities to animal crossing and the goal is to just have enough visitors come to island while satisfying them enough for a lot of money. I have several problems with as it can get a little boring a times and grinding money from it is not really worth it and time consuming, but frankly that they somehow worked something like THAT into a Like a Dragon game is impressive. Generally speaking the content in this game is huge to put it straight. There is so much to do that you will never be bored along with the great substories involved too. One of those substories even made me cry if I'm being blunt with the amazing voice acting they put into it.
Now we have the most important aspect of both being an RGG game slash RPG game: story and writing. I honestly did not see anything wrong with the story through my time playing it. This well-crafted and emotional colossus of a story was the best thing I've ever experienced in the franchise. Ichiban, who wants a future for the yakuza to integrate back into society and Kiryu that wants to confront the past of not just his life but the yakuza was so perfect. Ichiban continues to be a great protagonist that pushes the series forward with his powerful and kind outlook that gives others hope even when it is at its most bleak. His interactions with Tomizawa and Chitose are just phenomenal as to why people still continue to love this guy till this day. Hawaii being a playground for Ichiban with his confirmed native Hawaiian heritage was just right with the other subtle themes too. Ichiban getting the chance to meet Akane and offer Arakawa's ashes to his actual mom was genuinely the sweetest moment ever for him and made me weep. Said subtle theme I mentioned is one who sees the kindness in Palekana and that there are genuinely nice people in it, while Bryce usurps the title of sage through evil means and wants to use it as a tool for his own ends. Genuinely terrifying to see stuff like him using kahus as a firing squad and using ritualistic combat to make the faithful even more faithful like a modern cult. After this we get one of the best ending cutscene sequence in a Yakuza game by far for both Ichiban and Kiryu.
On the other hand, Kiryu secludes behind his prison that is with the Daidoji Faction until he realizes he doesn't have to take all of it on his own, and when he understands that his time his short he planned to make most of it by visiting past characters in the franchise with Date or to remind himself that he isn't just some legend of Kamurocho--he is a hero that has saved others and made them happy. The bucket list and memoirs are a perfect note to invite those past characters to remind Kiryu that he is genuinely an amazing guy who has done so much for others and that they're willing to stick their necks out for him even if it was chaotic at the time due to him. Every moment when you got to play as Kiryu was genuinely a powerful experience to me as I've been apart of this series for 6 whole damn years ever since seeing a cool little game called Yakuza 0 on the GameStop shelf. The conclusion that wraps up, fighting Ebina who hates the yakuza to the bitter end and wants every one of them to suffer who clashes with that someone who will carry the sins of every yakuza on their back made me break down. It was drama put into the crime drama. The past of yakuza that will come and go to a powerful ending for an iconic character that regained his name.
Every character was fun, had charm, and had great endings that tied up nicely. As someone who did every drink link and friendship bingo with the walk & talks Chitose and Tomizawa were amazing, fresh additions to the party and the writing for them was always the best. Tomizawa is tragic and Chistose is shackled to a rich family name, but finding that hope in spending time with Ichiban and resolving their problems made me quick to love these character the mode I spent time with them and their interactions. Seonhee is also added as an official party member, and to not repeat myself she is also great! It's cute to see the side of her that fangirls over Kiryu and knowing her casual side other than just being the calculated leader of the Geomijul.
Simply put, as I have I said, this is just the best RGG game I've ever played. Sure, there's the problem of the DLC bullshit and that stuff, but I cannot deny my heart from how much I love everything about this game (not that I'm trying to excuse that $20 for ng+ and hard mode is good or fair, if you rate its quality lower because of that then it is fine). From start to finish this has been all highs and positives for me and the story, as you can say, has me getting infinite thoughts about it. RGG has managed to push the series into a big boom of potential possibilities and has made this entry wildly successful. It's fucking kino and it deserves it.