Like A Dragon: Talking about the Yakuza series

[Sprite]

I hope, if they iterate on this battle system (and they should), they give the player more control over positioning, or at least make positioning more predictable. The knock down damage bonus, combined with the opportunity counters, combined with the short window of time you have to pull off a knock down bonus, make for an interesting dynamic between tactics and reflexes. But it's hard to plan for it when everyone's milling about at random, and also pretty dull when you're waiting and waiting in hopes that an enemy will get in juuust the right spot.

 

[YangusKhan]

I hope, if they iterate on this battle system (and they should), they give the player more control over positioning, or at least make positioning more predictable.

In all the reviews I read for this game, this issue came up in every single one. So I imagine they will definitely take that feedback and iterate on it.

 

[Sprite]

Yakuza: Homeless people are just as worthy of compassion and respect as anyone else

Also Yakuza: Hungry Hungry Homeless

 

[Sprite]

Oooof, yeah, this game has a bad habit of infantilizing women, especially sex workers. [Chapter 4 spoilers ahead] The abusive brothel owner with a heart of gold hiring goons to spy on his employee because he cares about her so darn much would honestly go down a lot smoother if everyone involved were just a self-serving criminal, rather than a big strong man secretly butting into this woman's life and fixing her crisis without her knowledge or consent. The fact that they find out her father is about to be murdered and still don't talk to her about it shows how little the game cares about her as a character.

And while I'm dealing with that bad taste in my mouth, I'm stonewalled at the entrance to the dungeon because the game won't let me proceed until my characters are fully kitted out with armor and accessories. Of course, it didn't tell me I was going to need all this until after I spent all my money on weapons, which means... I have to grind. Having a game scold you for playing it incorrectly is pretty darn demoralizing!

 

[Mokrap of Croton]

Just had that same stonewall situation last night! For what it's worth, the dungeon is fun and cool once you get in there.

Just throwing my two cents into the order discussions, I got into these games earlier this year. I played them in this order 0, Kiwami, Kiwami 2, and then 6. 0 might end up always being my favorite in large part because it was my introduction to the series. I found myself with more time around the house due to the pandemic and really burned through those games, but I also spent loads of time (especially in 0) on side stuff like fishing and running businesses.

When they make a new game about fistfighting in suits where money flies out of dudes when you punch them I might have a new favorite game. Until then.

 

[Serephine]

You super don't have to grind to get into that dungeon, it goes just fine if you buy the junk tier stuff from the can collecting mini game. The game isn't expecting you to be fully kitted out yet, just to have *something* because even that low level gear makes a huge difference, this is absolutely a Small Numbers game where a dozen points is meaningful.

 

[Juno]

Started playing Yakuza 3 a few days ago and got to chapter 4. I'm liking the story quite a bit so far, but the mini-games lack the polish that Zero and the Kiwami games had, so I may just end up focusing on the main story.

 

[Rascally Badger]

I love the main story of Yakuza 3, but it definitely feels its age.

Tonight I finally got a chance to start Like A Dragon. This is real good.

 

[Serephine]

Because apparently 80 some odd hours of Like A Dragon wasn't enough, I restarted 4 tonight. I was basically nowhere in it so it's not bad, but woof I forgot it's one of the Olden Games that lack the modernization that started with afaik 0.

 

[keele864]

Have played dozens of hours of Zero in the last few weeks. Currently on the last chapter, but attempting to finish the real estate side quest before I beat the game.

Then I also have Yakuza 5 (I've played a few hours) and Yakuza 6 downloaded, but thinking I might buy Kiwami 2 to play before either of those, since I understand the Majima story wraps up some threads from Zero and I'm eager to try a Dragon Engine game but not keen to jump straight to 6 from Zero. Or maybe I just play 5 because it features more cities?

And dammit, now I'm tempted to go back to Kiwami 1 to do more side stories. I understand cart racing now, for example!

 

[keele864]

Have played dozens of hours of Zero in the last few weeks. Currently on the last chapter, but attempting to finish the real estate side quest before I beat the game.

Then I also have Yakuza 5 (I've played a few hours) and Yakuza 6 downloaded, but thinking I might buy Kiwami 2 to play before either of those, since I understand the Majima story wraps up some threads from Zero and I'm eager to try a Dragon Engine game but not keen to jump straight to 6 from Zero. Or maybe I just play 5 because it features more cities?

And dammit, now I'm tempted to go back to Kiwami 1 to do more side stories. I understand cart racing now, for example!

Update: Played through Kiwami 2, then immediately hopped to 5. Currently about halfway through the game; I think it might be a good idea to take a little break about now: Yakuza 5 is too much of a good thing on its own (five characters, five cities, four major sidequests, etc.), and after two full games in two months, a change of pace may be in order.

That said: I love the way that Yakuza 5 gives some substantial breaks from "classic" Yakuza gameplay. The

Spoiler

hunting quest

kept me rapt for a day, and the

Spoiler

life of an idol story for Haruka

almost makes me like rhythm games. Though getting back to punching people after those interludes was satisfying too.

 

[fanboymaster]

Finally finished

Spoiler

True Final Millennium Tower

in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, loved the game overall and loved doing that but not convinced most people should bother.

Moved on to Judgment which feels so very different, ready to finally finish it.

 

[Cyrael]

I beat Yakuza 3 last night after picking it up in February, almost a year after I dropped it.

It wasn't as fun to play as 0 or the Kiwamis, but that's not necessarily a fair comparison. However any time with Kiryu can be a good time.

I really enjoyed the main story and laughed along with some of the sidequests.

I have learned my lesson though and will not be playing 4 right away. I find I enjoy these games a lot more of I forget the muscle memory in between.

 

[Mokrap of Croton]

I have finally successfully proselytized this series to somebody, haha. My brother has been on 0 for a while now and is hooked. It has been really fun vicariously re-living a first exposure to Yakuza.

 

[YangusKhan]

I started my first Yakuza game tonight, with Kiwami. Pretty bold move to open with a nested flashback that segues into a couple of fetch quests for a ring?? Not... not what I expected, I'll give it that. I didn't actually get very far tonight because I got sleepy, but alright.

 

[Alex]

I started my first Yakuza game tonight, with Kiwami. Pretty bold move to open with a nested flashback that segues into a couple of fetch quests for a ring?? Not... not what I expected, I'll give it that. I didn't actually get very far tonight because I got sleepy, but alright.

Kiwami is fun! They'll develop on the complexity of the side stories in later games, but I think you'll enjoy it a lot!

 

[MetManMas]

I wish there was an Assassin's Creed tour-mode where you could just run around Kabukicho and elsewhere without having to fight and just hangout and see the sights. Because at this point that's kinda all I want out of these games.

This is exactly the kinda thing I want most games to have, to be honest. Like, just give me a mode where I can faff about with no death or hostiles (or those things optional) like it's a less buggy Goat Simulator.

Playing as other people or animals is also a huge plus.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/965305971026247680

 

[Bongo]

Ichiban Kasuga is an earnest dunce who loves Dragon Quest, and, hell, so am I.

After some time away from it, I've now gotten far enough to have been able to access the "stay awake through a movie" minigame and I think it's got its hooks in me now.

 

[Yimothy]

I’ve made a start on my first Yakuza game tonight, going with 3. I’ve owned it since it came out, had to take the shrink wrap off to start playing it. Also I haven’t used my PS3 in a while and my controller’s analogue sticks seem to have started to decay - they’re kind of sticky and unpleasant feeling.

Anyway, for the game itself: I dunno. I watched the recaps of 1 and 2 (not sure their plots were helped by being summarised - a lot of strangers showing up just in time to save the day, people taking bullets/explosions to save someone, and characters everyone thought were dead reappearing in quick succession), then the opening cutscenes, then I tried a UFO machine and a shmup in an arcade and then I was out of time for video games so I found a phone booth and saved.

 

[Alex]

I’ve made a start on my first Yakuza game tonight, going with 3. I’ve owned it since it came out, had to take the shrink wrap off to start playing it. Also I haven’t used my PS3 in a while and my controller’s analogue sticks seem to have started to decay - they’re kind of sticky and unpleasant feeling.

Anyway, for the game itself: I dunno. I watched the recaps of 1 and 2 (not sure their plots were helped by being summarised - a lot of strangers showing up just in time to save the day, people taking bullets/explosions to save someone, and characters everyone thought were dead reappearing in quick succession), then the opening cutscenes, then I tried a UFO machine and a shmup in an arcade and then I was out of time for video games so I found a phone booth and saved.

Oh, have fun! The PS3 version of 3 was my first foray into the series, and, well, I wouldn't recommend it now for first time players but it's still pretty enjoyable. There's some really questionable transphobic stuff that got cut out of the PS4 re-release.

 

[Yimothy]

That’s not great to hear. For now the game has this interesting mix of innocence and horror: one of the kids is being bullied, so I play golf with a local politician who later slags off the bully to his father and I guess the problem is solved. Also a corrupt politician wants to evict the orphanage so he can become prime minister, I guess, and as part of the plot a child is kidnapped, so I beat up like thirty dudes to get her back. The violence in this game is really something - one of my go-to moves is stomping on the heads of downed enemies. Then they get up, apologise, and give me energy drinks. It’s an odd mix.

I’m not sure how much I’m supposed to be roaming between cutscenes. It seems like if I just run from one cutscene to the next I could skip all the side stuff, but is that missing the point? I’m not all that interested in darts, pool, golf, fishing or gambling, though. Plus I find moving around the streets kind of annoying - I can’t seem to do it without running headlong into people. One thing I do like is how these yakuza guys are able to move their arm up to the opposite shoulder, then sweep it down and remove their shirt/jacket for a fight.

 

[Adrenaline]

The substories are a big part of the appeal for some people. They're side quests you can stumble on in between story beats. Just check a guide if you want to seek them out and aren't finding many.

 

[Yimothy]

I’ve just learned that, in fact. I found a locker key so I set off for the coin lockers. Along the way I ran into someone who needed something, then someone who needed something else, and so on. Plus a heap more keys. I’m gonna try not to look at a guide, though. Once I do that, I’ll be trying to do them all and I’ll ruin the game for myself.

 

[Alex]

I’ve just learned that, in fact. I found a locker key so I set off for the coin lockers. Along the way I ran into someone who needed something, then someone who needed something else, and so on. Plus a heap more keys. I’m gonna try not to look at a guide, though. Once I do that, I’ll be trying to do them all and I’ll ruin the game for myself.

The side stories are helpful in cases where you might need help gaining some levels before taking on a boss, at least in 3 the boss fights are a whole level or two of difficulty above the common fights you run into on the street.

 

[muteKi]

I don't care if Judgment and Lost Judgment don't count as part of the series or not they're on PC and that means incidentally that Sonic the Fighters is at long last available to play on PC.

 

[fanboymaster]

Over the past day and a half there's been a lot of news.

Like a Dragon Ishin has been announced for western release in February. This is a remake incorporating characters from Yakuza 6 and 7 into the spin-off set during the Bakumatsu period and the title indicates one big change, they ripped off the band-aid and are calling the series Like a Dragon in English now.

Like a Dragon 8 has been announced for release in early-mid 2024. It will be another game with turn based combat with Ichiban and his party telling a story in parallel with a returning Kiryu.

To bridge that gap there will be a smaller action rpg interquel set between 6 and 7 called Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, that game is due out in 2023.

Trailers:
Ishin

Like A Dragon 8

The Man Who Erased His Name

 

[LBD_Nytetrayn]

I dig the switch to Like a Dragon, but at the same time... feels maybe a little weird now, when they could have done it back with Yakuza 0?

Maybe "Like a Dragon 0" seemed too out there for a series relaunch...

 

[muteKi]

Honestly that'd maybe should have just been "Like a Dragon" and let everything else from there be as it would.

 

[WisteriaHysteria]

The world adjusted to FF numbers, they'll adjust to this lol.

 

[ThornGhost]

Since I had finished the previous game I was playing, I thought I'd dink around with Like a Dragon for a bit until the Tactics Ogre remake came out since I got it through PS Plus a few months back.

Folks, this game is really fun and stupid. I think I love it? I will probably finish it before I play Tactics Ogre now, which really surprises me.