So, a few weeks ago I remembered that Yakuza Kiwami was included in PS+ and I ended up installing it.
I am not a huge fan of Shenmue, recently went through the two first ones, but this is clearly built on Shenmue DNA in the best way possible.
Also, I love the story. Both the serious aspects and the more silly stuff.
The fighting feels really weird though, especially when fighting enemies with weapons. Should I be using weapons myself in those fights?
Anyway, how are the sequels? Is the story as good as in the first one?
So it gets even better, I suspected as much. I am going to get addicted to this series. xDGlad to hear you're enjoying it, especially since Kiwami is "just" a remake of the very first Yakuza game and thus misses a lot of the amazing stuff the other games had (minigames, side stories -- especially the side stories -- etc.) If you like the story in the first game you will love the story in the other games for sure. They all feature great storylines, but many consider the plot of 0 and 2 to be generally the best.
Yeah that's too bad. At least the Superman punch feels satisfying to do 😁 .Yeah. Gotta love them ragdoll physics. Its hilariously inaccurate at points but so damn funny. I really don't have anything against them like I know some do. 7 of course can take it one step further when you knock them into oncoming traffic which always cracks me up. Still wish Kiryu's fighting style in 2 was fashioned closer to his original fighting style and not just an expansion of 6's... just feels a bit weird (well that and his Tiger Drop sucks now. The nerve!)
Yeah, info on Yakuza back then (especially since ThePatrick stopped doing his awesome guides at Yakuza 4) was pretty sparse. I managed ok through most of the game only getting tripped up with some of the betrayals at certain points (and Shinada's chapter, which was delightfully crazy). I managed to make sense of it all in the end and at least now I manage way better with import games thanks to a better understanding.
The guides are still super useful for 1, 2 and Kenzan since there's so much that can be missed. I kept his guide around for Kenzan and it was invaluable in meeting Amon. Really miss him, but from what I remember he was pretty burned out on the series way before Ishin was released which is a pity :( Then again spending that much time to literally translate each line of dialogue must really take the fun out of the games!ThePatrick's guides were invaluable during that time, going through 5 was a bit of hassle but thanks to a site at time, I was able to pick and understand a few things.
I still should get more serious with learning Japanese, it would probably help with a few untranslated titles.
Storywise, Shinada's chapter was really cool. It feels really disconnected to the rest of the story and I love that about it. His gameplay is a bit worse then the others due to him being more weapons focused but there is fun to be had.Hi, I never posted here (I think?). Just asking for some opinions to the forum experts!
I really love the Yakuza games I've played (0, Kiwami 1, Kiwami 2, OG 1, all fantastic).
I'm going through the HD Collection, I finished Yakuza 3 (I would have like it way more if the combat wasn't just awful, but I liked the story) and Yakuza 4 (which I liked way more gameplay wise, but the story is... iffy), and currently going through Yakuza 5. And for all the praise, people labeling it as the better Yakuza game even, I'm really hating it. I feel it's way too bloated, way too slow (the Saejima part is just dreadful, you fight a bear cool, but the rest....) and thinking I might have like 30 hours left still is ufffffffffff
I'm at the last chapter of Saejima. Everywhere I look says it's the lowest part of the game, but the Kiryu part wasn't golden either, soooooo how's the rest? This is the first one I've truly been thinking of just skipping, checking a summary and going to 6.
Kiryu's section rocks. So if you didn't like that...
And 6 isn't better than 5 gameplay wise. Story wise it smashes 5 to pieces but its got way worse combat and content so it seems silly to skip it for an inferior game.
Then again I love Saejima's section so...
The section after Saejima's is Haruka's and it's... well some like it (I love it!) and some hate it. Depends on if you want to learn more about the dark stuff in the idol industry and do dance battles I guess.
Thank you for your responses!Storywise, Shinada's chapter was really cool. It feels really disconnected to the rest of the story and I love that about it. His gameplay is a bit worse then the others due to him being more weapons focused but there is fun to be had.
The story itself is honestly even worse on a replay. What saves it is the bossfights and some of the scenes being badass but it is really souring me on the game this time.
Best part of the game is the gameplay. The game is really fun to mess around in. The character side stories (Hunting, Taxi, Baseball, Haruka's idol road) and the mini games and sub stories are the best part of the game.
So yeah, if you are not enjoying the game then I say just skip it. Watch the final cutscenes on youtube and go over to 6 cause at the end of the day, 6 is mostly self contained and you only need to know what Haruka and Kiryu did in 5 to understand everything. The story in 5 is better than Yakuza 4 cause it doesn't have the bad twists but it really drags and the amount of "dreams this" "dreams that" "my dreams!" being said over and over gets really annoying and boring.
What saves the game for me is the excellent gameplay and everything else apart from the story.
So, a few weeks ago I remembered that Yakuza Kiwami was included in PS+ and I ended up installing it.
I am not a huge fan of Shenmue, recently went through the two first ones, but this is clearly built on Shenmue DNA in the best way possible.
Also, I love the story. Both the serious aspects and the more silly stuff.
The fighting feels really weird though, especially when fighting enemies with weapons. Should I be using weapons myself in those fights?
Anyway, how are the sequels? Is the story as good as in the first one?
Awesome! I'll pick up as many as I can on sales I think.IMO kiwami is just the start, the games with better storylines and better side content come later in the series (personally it's Yakuza 0, Kiwami 2 and Yakuza 5) so get those 3 if you can but if can afford it, get them all! although each is semi-independent, there are hooks in each game that push you to play the next installment. I didn't like 6 all that much and I never got around to playing judgment, might get that and 7 later this year but thezboson if you liked the story of the first one, the series is definitely worth checking out
edit: I made it sound like Yakuza 0 comes AFTER Kiwami, actually 0 is the chronological first game in the series although it came out way later
Kiwami 2's side content is somewhat lacking in retrospect. Its just a bit of 6's, a bit of 0's, and Virtual On in the arcades. Its nice that they added back stuff that 6 cut but Judge Eyes did so much more in that regard (especially with its amazing arcade). 6 was better for side content over Kiwami 2 - better arcade, better new mini games (several of which are only used in that game) and for the most part, I'd say better side stories as well (better written, but fewer).IMO kiwami is just the start, the games with better storylines and better side content come later in the series (personally it's Yakuza 0, Kiwami 2 and Yakuza 5) so get those 3 if you can but if can afford it, get them all! although each is semi-independent, there are hooks in each game that push you to play the next installment. I didn't like 6 all that much and I never got around to playing judgment, might get that and 7 later this year but thezboson if you liked the story of the first one, the series is definitely worth checking out
edit: I made it sound like Yakuza 0 comes AFTER Kiwami, actually 0 is the chronological first game in the series although it came out way later
Somehow I dont feel like leaving this world 😛 My completion % was 37, so thought to reach 50% completion and get few trophies. Spent hours and could only reach 44%...long road ahead. Concentrating on Hostess Club, Colosseum and arcade games first. Hopefully will not have to do wastelands activites.They are such a grind...drive 1000kms, collect 1000 materials....1000L fuel...Finished FOTNS. The last couple of chapters were dragged so much. Liked all the boss fights in the game, sub stories were good, learning and performing the crazy heat moves was fun :) I've never liked hostess club much in the games I've played so far but somehow liked it a lot in this game...same for bartending missions..dont think I've played it in another RGG studio's game. Controlling the buggy wasnt fun, so ignored most of the wastelands activities. The overall structure of Yakuza games is starting to become a bit stale for me and I've still 4 games left to play(PS4). Dont understand why people were so upset on the changes done in Yakuza 7.
My current ranking of the RGG games I've played:
Y0 >> YK1 > YK2 >> FoTNS > Y3.
You are welcome.Thank you for your responses!
There are a couple of points to point out, though:
- I played a little bit of Yakuza 6 (the first chapter or so, maybe it was the demo) and Kiwami 2, so while I've seen that people don't like the Dragon Engine's combat, I find it really really fun.
- I think my biggest problem with Yakuza 5 is the bloat of it, not so much the combat which is okay. I think it's problematic if I find the story even slower than it should in a Yakuza game (which already are super slow burners). I had problems with the multiple protagonists idea of Yakuza 4, but this seems to take it even further. It's not a matter of losing Kiryu or not, it's a matter of spreading so thin for each character that there's barely anything there at the end IMO.
So, at the moment, I'm leaning more into skipping 5 and just going to 6 and then Judgement. But who knows, I'm definitely somewhat close to the beginning of the middle of the game, so I know it's a little bit unfair to talk much about the story.
At any case, thank you again guys :)
Didn't see your post.Finished FOTNS. The last couple of chapters were dragged so much. Liked all the boss fights in the game, sub stories were good, learning and performing the crazy heat moves was fun :) I've never liked hostess club much in the games I've played so far but somehow liked it a lot in this game...same for bartending missions..dont think I've played it in another RGG studio's game. Controlling the buggy wasnt fun, so ignored most of the wastelands activities. The overall structure of Yakuza games is starting to become a bit stale for me and I've still 4 games left to play(PS4). Dont understand why people were so upset on the changes done in Yakuza 7.
My current ranking of the RGG games I've played:
Y0 >> YK1 > YK2 >> FoTNS > Y3.
I just paused and used a calculator. How dare Yakuza try teaching me basic mental arithmetic!lol after months on and off, (been playing a lot more of my PS3 backlog) Yakuza 5's platinum trophy still alludes me with its Baseball academic course lol.
And that's on the PS3, I still have two PS4 copies sealed (JPN and EU).
Thanks for the tip 🙂 I dont like racing/driving games in general, so mostly avoid stuff related to it. Also, I'm curious to know...what is your ranking of the Yakuza games + spin off titles?
Yea, the last two chapters were there just for the sake of it. The twist towards the end dsnt make much sense....even for a Yakuza game.The buggy, the chapters you are talking about (I believe that's when you had to drive back and forth to get by some rocks?), the grind and the lack of sprint and quality of life features really hurt it. Just a few fixes and the game would be better than a lot of games in the series due to how fun it is.
I don't rank Yakuza games, first because I think lists are pretty meaningless and either way, my opinion changes far too often.Thanks for the tip 🙂 I dont like racing/driving games in general, so mostly avoid stuff related to it. Also, I'm curious to know...what is your ranking of the Yakuza games + spin off titles?
Yea, the last two chapters were there just for the sake of it. The twist towards the end dsnt make much sense....even for a Yakuza game.
Cool. Only have 5 currently, out of these. Looking forward to playing it in order once I am done with 4. Heard 6 is good too.if I were to pick 3 Yakuza games at this point in time as my favouritese - it'd be:
Kenzan, 5 and 7.
Good question, it might as well be fatigue, but I waited a while between ending Yakuza 4 and starting 5, around 3 months.You are welcome.
Have you been playing the games without taking breaks by the way? Cause if so then 5 will burn you out easily. It already does even after not playing Yakuza for a while.
I recommend taking breaks after each Yakuza game. Play a game or two inbetween then return once you feel ready for it. From what you are saying, I have a feeling you will like 6 more. A friend of mine recently played 5 and he didn't like it much. He played the taxi missions but after that he just didn't feel like he wanted to play more so he skipped it and played 6. 6 was more engaging and the story isn't that dragged out or anything. It is the closest to Yakuza 1 with some Yakuza 3 mixed in there which was good enough to be way more fun for him.
That's possible. If you push on there is fun to be had.Good question, it might as well be fatigue, but I waited a while between ending Yakuza 4 and starting 5, around 3 months.
Maybe it was a little bit too short haha
At any case, I actually haven't touched Y5 since May, so maybe I refreshed a little bit and can pick it up with a little more love. I think I will push in more and see how it goes!
This is excellent advice, its usually what I do. 5 is essentially several games in one in terms of content. So its best to not try marathoning it else you'd probably go mad, especially if your aiming for either Amon or the plat trophy. Plus its just fun to dip in and out of it.I feel Yakuza 5 is best played in chunks. Play each character and take a break cause it is the one that is the easiest to get burned out on.
Harada could easily just be trolling again. I refuse to believe it until I see it. But thinking about it, it'd be pretty awesome to live out my Fatal Fury X Yakuza crossover idea in Tekken should it happen.Katsuhiro Harada seems to be teasing Kiryu for Tekken 7 (New Image)
========= The logo is a real restaurant chain called Matsuya's in Japan. However, as seen above they're very prevalent in the Yakuza series while from my knowledge haven't been in much else game wise. It's possible Namco Bandai just asked for the chain to include in a new Tekken 7 stage, but...www.resetera.com
I can certainly see them having more NPCs wearing masks for the next game - later games have changed the way smoking is portrayed in the city, so I think masks being a wearable item as well will be implemented.
Could be a good opportunity to make another zombie game ;pYeah, RGG is really good at capturing the current moment in the Yakuza games and I'm really curious to see if they might even do more than just NPCs wearing masks and perhaps talking about the pandemic.
IIRC, 5 (2011 or 2012?) is the last game which has Matsuya. Do we still associate Matsuya with RGG!?
Could be a good opportunity to make another zombie game ;p
Well its certainly a more chill experience for the first few chapters. Where as TLOU2 went one way, Yakuza is very much more about the opposite in the orphan sections, its slow, but a really nice experience.So after finishing The Last of Us Part 2 today I decided my next game is going to be Yakuza 3 Remastered. I've taken a long hiatus from the series after finishing Kiwami 2 and then Judgement sometime after that.
I have heard that the combat system in 3 can be frustrating. After the endurance test that was TLOU2, I'm looking for a much more chill experience.
Tips/recommendations are super appreciated! Thanks guys!
Well its certainly a more chill experience for the first few chapters. Where as TLOU2 went one way, Yakuza is very much more about the opposite in the orphan sections, its slow, but a really nice experience.
The one thing too many people overlook about the combat (and then complain about... lol) is that in this game you can get major powerful upgrades really early in the game (around chapter 4-5) - so basically look up the details to all of Komaki's training - as it lets you get all the best counter moves really early in the game - that includes the legendary Tiger Drop which is amazingly strong in this game AND can bounce people off of walls for follow up combos. So get it early and learn its timing to mess people up.
Other than that, just dodge behind people and attack them from behind (like, every Yakuza game) as this solves the more block happy enemies. Its really not hard or all that frustrating, I'd say its more a mix of people button bashing mindlessly and just not upgrading Kiryu. You get more than enough XP early on to unlock tons of moves, though it is worth leveling up in the first Kamurocho area before heading for the boss, because like many Yakuza games it forces you to unlock the stomp heat move (triangle when enemy is on the ground) which you'll use in the first couple of chapters before you get good moves.
3's got excellent combat if your willing to learn how it all works... Or just play it on easier difficulties, because hard mode actually isn't easy mode no.3 in this game!
+1....as always, your enthusiasm for this series never fails to be so infectious.