For who have played the Japanese version I have some questions:
What is the gameplay loop of this compared to Yakuza? Is it very similar? What are the differences apart from the story and characters?
Basically the same as Yakuza. Story bits lead to fights or parts where you explore and talk to people, then an epic end of chapter boss fight ensues with awesome cinematics and music to hype you further!
Does the game have RPG mechanics like Yakuza or is it more like a jrpg with loot and levelling up?
Basically works the same as Yakuza. Only loot you get is for your buggy and for unlocking amulets (which give you stat perks for combat and driving, well worth unlocking if your aiming for the secret boss)
How hard is it compared to Yakuza games?
Compared to normal Yakuza games? Its on another level as its actually hard. What I mean is, Yakuza games are mainly easy. FOTNS has enemies that attack in large groups (several different types) and unlike Yakuza they pose a serious threat (on hard mode). Head into the most southern area in the game and the enemies there are high levelled and will destroy you if your unprepared. It was refreshing actually. Bosses are challenging as well, with you actually having to apply combo's and air juggles to get them into a Hokuto technique state (basically stunning them to perform a technique to apply serious damage to them. If your not doing side stuff to power Ken up, some of the later bosses will certainly prove difficult (even then, I had issues with some of the early fights as well, again refreshing after such an easy ride in other games).
How long is it? And is the platinum trophy fun to work towards?
Main game is pretty darn short if you aim for the ending straight away. But as mentioned above not levelling Ken up will work against you difficulty wise. As for side stuff, there's a host of mini games (a mix of arcade, casino, racing, bartending etc.) plus the cabaret club (which is mission based this time and way faster paced, honestly its the best application of the mini game I've played, I thought I was done after Kiwami 2 but they really knocked it out of the park here) and the arena (which is amazing because FOTNS combat is well amazing). As for the plat. One word. GRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD. It took me about 110 hours, and while a big portion was doing all the side stuff there but unlocking all the 7* amulets is a massive grind and you'll be playing loads of Cabaret Club, Arena, Buggy Racing. And don't get me started on the random super rare drops in the arena and wastelands, those took a while to drop! Overall I really enjoyed it but its definitely one of the grindier 100%s in the series. Ishin still reigns king there no doubt.
I just have trouble understanding in my head how they can make a game as in depth and deep and as long as the Yakuza games when it's Fist of the North Star. Wouldn't it be a lot shallower and less deep?
Its not as long and the story is far more straight forward, the efforts here are in the combat which is way deeper than Yakuza - with bound moves (bouncing off walls) returning from Yakuza 3, jump attacks an air combos your opportunities to combo are way more varied and fun than before. I spent loads of time just fighting in the wastelands as it was just so darn fun. I want bound back for Shin RGG. Between Yakuza 3's remaster and this its just so darn fun when it comes to combo potential. Also, bosses in this game are some of the best in the Yakuza series. Especially chapter 7, which takes the manga and condenses this character into one single battle and its so damn good. Best boss fight of the year no doubt.
I am so glad it's usif English voices too. I have to admit I am getting really tired of just a Japanese fun. I prefer hearing the voices.
I really don't like the English voices used so far. They sound pretty darn bad to me. Plus the game was sold as a Yakuza/FOTNS crossover so hearing Majima as Jagi was a big thing for me! The Japanese voices are so well done that I don't see me ever touching the dub.
