The Yakuza Series - Japan Simulator

[Cod of War]

Just finished Yakuza 0, my first entry in the series. Am I going to be slightly disappointed by the gameplay/graphics going further into the series for a bit since 0 was a prequel?

Not yet, the Kiwami games were made after 0. It's when you're going into 3 after Kiwami 2 where you see it and yeah you probably will be.

 

[Tanner Glass]

Just finished Yakuza 0, my first entry in the series. Am I going to be slightly disappointed by the gameplay/graphics going further into the series for a bit since 0 was a prequel?

Not really.

The graphical quality dips at 3 (which is the "oldest" game) but the current easy to get version is still a "remaster". The only thing you may notice is that the gameplay doesn't change drastically until Y4.

 

[Snekposter]

Not really.

The graphical quality dips at 3 (which is the "oldest" game) but the current easy to get version is still a "remaster". The only thing you may notice is that the gameplay doesn't change drastically until Y4.

For good or bad? After Kiwami 2 and how smooth it was I ended up dropping 3 and its clunkiness and slow, somewhat boring story and am considering skipping ahead.

Yes, the price was ahem right for me to do so.

 

[Tanner Glass]

For good or bad? After Kiwami 2 and how smooth it was I ended up dropping 3 and its clunkiness and slow, somewhat boring story and am considering skipping ahead.

Yes, the price was ahem right for me to do so.

Kiwami 2 to Remaster 3 is the sharpest drop in graphics/gameplay. I'd recommend playing it (esp if you're doing them in order) but if the drop is too much for you Yakuza 4 has a "here's what happened in earlier games" movie.

 

[Snekposter]

Kiwami 2 to Remaster 3 is the sharpest drop in graphics/gameplay. I'd recommend playing it (esp if you're doing them in order) but if the drop is too much for you Yakuza 4 has a "here's what happened in earlier games" movie.

Right. You're right, the drop is pretty bad, and I had semi-recurring crash issues. Probably just going to skip ahead then.

 

[BrokenWokenBespoken]

That's true, though it's kind of strange how they don't even have her at least hanging out in the background. I know it's a small thing, but I would have liked to see how she gets along with the rest of the group. Like how does she get along with Saeko? The only other woman you ever see Saeko interacting with is Seong-Hui, and they clash like oil and water.

I like the idea of Ichiban Confections just being another thing in Kasuga's head, since it would make sense with how he just kinda becomes a business magnate overnight and the entire process is super simplified, with none of it involving the rest of the party, including Adachi, who is permanently in the party for the rest of the game by the time the business is unlocked.

The whole point is Ichiban main job is to take the flak for whatever fuckups Ichiban confection has at shareholder meetings and the Eri would spent her money frivolously

 

[wtfNeedSignUp]

Finally started Like a Dragon, it might be the longest Yakuza game to start going from intro to Kamurocho. I'm curious if 2000 Kamurocho is based on the Kiwami assets.

 

[Neurotic Loser]

Finally started Like a Dragon, it might be the longest Yakuza game to start going from intro to Kamurocho. I'm curious if 2000 Kamurocho is based on the Kiwami assets.

How long does it take to get to Kamurocho in Yakuza 7? In 5 it can take anywhere from 2-20 hours depending on how much side content you do.

 

[wtfNeedSignUp]

How long does it take to get to Kamurocho in Yakuza 7? In 5 it can take anywhere from 2-20 hours depending on how much side content you do.

Meant Kamurocho as in start regular gameplay without time skips or tutorials.

 

[Neurotic Loser]

Meant Kamurocho as in start regular gameplay without time skips or tutorials.

Ah, fair enough.

 

[ZMOT]

Right. You're right, the drop is pretty bad, and I had semi-recurring crash issues. Probably just going to skip ahead then.

pc or console?

 

[Snekposter]

PC.

 

[wtfNeedSignUp]

I'm having a ton of fun with Like a Dragon, moreso with any game I played since 0. I think it's greatest strength is that it takes the crazy cast of Yakuza and creates a party that plays up against each other, rather than only stick with a single main character (that usually doesn't emote too much). Even the rpg style gameplay flows really well and the battles have the right amount of tactics (though the pathfinding and characters changing position mid attack can be annoying). It also feels more polished, like 6 felt a lot like a reskin of Judgment (I know it's the opposite way around, but I played the games in a reverse order).
My biggest gripe is that the game has ton of mechanics that only show up hours after gameplay and make me need to choose between doing side content (and needing to spend more time to progress) or advancing the main storyline.

 

[The High Prophet of Truth]

 

[wtfNeedSignUp]

I'm really enjoying the minigames. The bottle collection is like a 3d Pacman (though I wish it was possible the get more points since using it to grind bugs is a waste of yime), and the property management is really fun and doesn't feel like it gatelocks you until you get good characters.

I have a question though, is the hero's bat (the one you pull from the pavement) the kind of jrpg weapon you can upgrade to become the strongest weapon in the game?

 

[KEKMUHLORD]

I'm really enjoying the minigames. The bottle collection is like a 3d Pacman (though I wish it was possible the get more points since using it to grind bugs is a waste of yime), and the property management is really fun and doesn't feel like it gatelocks you until you get good characters.

I have a question though, is the hero's bat (the one you pull from the pavement) the kind of jrpg weapon you can upgrade to become the strongest weapon in the game?

Yes. It is.

There are other weapons for Ichiban of course. But just keeping the Hero bat upgraded for his hero class is the best choice for him I have found.

 

[BillionBisonBucks]

I'm really enjoying the minigames. The bottle collection is like a 3d Pacman (though I wish it was possible the get more points since using it to grind bugs is a waste of yime), and the property management is really fun and doesn't feel like it gatelocks you until you get good characters.

I have a question though, is the hero's bat (the one you pull from the pavement) the kind of jrpg weapon you can upgrade to become the strongest weapon in the game?

Oh yes. Later upgrades add multi-hit and it becomes the best weapon in the game bar none. Note that you will spend tens of millions of yen to get there. Do lots of business.

 

[Islamic Creampie]

Beat Judgment the other day. Very slow start, even by Yakuza standards, but I really enjoyed it once the game got it's groove.

The bad: The constant chase and tailing missions were a low point. Investigations were whatever, but at least they're quick. Grinding for reputation and locking side stories got kind of repetitive, especially with how redundant some of the friend events are. The constant calls about the Kiehin Gang were annoying. Healing mortal wounds was a nuisance.

The good: Yagami is likable. Kaito is a good sidekick. The murder mystery plot was pretty well done and had a good conclusion aside from the ridiculous final courtroom scene. Side quests were a good mix of straight laced and goofy, unlike some games going full on meme.

I have more bad down than good but I'm tired and poor at writing out my thoughts on stuff. Good game and definitely gonna grab the sequel when it comes out.

 

[LullerDerbyRollin]

I'm start of Chapter 3 of Yak 0, I love the game so far. Also, I suck at Shogi and the Dance game, haven't tried Mahjong yet.

 

[wtfNeedSignUp]

Yes. It is.

There are other weapons for Ichiban of course. But just keeping the Hero bat upgraded for his hero class is the best choice I have found.

Gotta give credit for keeping the tropes. I'm playing with the various classes in the meantime but I'll probably settle down after a couple of hours.

Also I like having optional party members. Yeah it's a bit weird plotwise but it makes you wanna invest even more in sidequests to see if there are other things you might miss.