For a game that's meant to be an appetizer, this shit was a near 5-star meal. A game that is definitely made for the long-term Yakuza/LaD fan with probably some of the franchise's best moments packed into this one.
The gameplay feels good, it's good to have Kiryu back and play in a beat 'em up format. While it's initially clunky it does improve with upgrades, it's definitely a step up from Kiwami 2, but overall combat doesn't hold a candle to Lost Judgement, which is RGG's magnum opus so far in terms of combat. That said, agent style is quite fun and be quite busted, enemies don't know how to react to that.
The game is actually packed with side content, Pocket Circuit is back, they brought in pool, the Akame Network offers some of the series' best substories and the Coliseum is a great way to earn a fuck ton of cash (which the game throws at you without care, which is great). Too bad near the end the Coliseum's challenges feel quite bullshit and unbalanced, couldn't complete one of the side stories because of it.
The story is pretty decent, with a satisfying finish. It probably has the best ending out of all the games (which says a lot), and it's pretty cool to experience the events leading up to Yakuza Like a Dragon's amazing moments. The characters were all interesting and loveable from Nishitani III to Akame. Part of me knows they'll never appear again but I really do want to see some of these characters return for Infinite Wealth.
The music's pretty good as usual, but man JID on the intro got me mad excited, and that ending song was perfect for this game's themes.
Overall, despite being a "short game" Gaiden is pretty much a full-fledged Yakuza game, just with a shorter story. I got so many hours out of this game it's an easy recommendation.
Bring on Like a Dragon 8!!!
The gameplay feels good, it's good to have Kiryu back and play in a beat 'em up format. While it's initially clunky it does improve with upgrades, it's definitely a step up from Kiwami 2, but overall combat doesn't hold a candle to Lost Judgement, which is RGG's magnum opus so far in terms of combat. That said, agent style is quite fun and be quite busted, enemies don't know how to react to that.
The game is actually packed with side content, Pocket Circuit is back, they brought in pool, the Akame Network offers some of the series' best substories and the Coliseum is a great way to earn a fuck ton of cash (which the game throws at you without care, which is great). Too bad near the end the Coliseum's challenges feel quite bullshit and unbalanced, couldn't complete one of the side stories because of it.
The story is pretty decent, with a satisfying finish. It probably has the best ending out of all the games (which says a lot), and it's pretty cool to experience the events leading up to Yakuza Like a Dragon's amazing moments. The characters were all interesting and loveable from Nishitani III to Akame. Part of me knows they'll never appear again but I really do want to see some of these characters return for Infinite Wealth.
The music's pretty good as usual, but man JID on the intro got me mad excited, and that ending song was perfect for this game's themes.
Overall, despite being a "short game" Gaiden is pretty much a full-fledged Yakuza game, just with a shorter story. I got so many hours out of this game it's an easy recommendation.
Bring on Like a Dragon 8!!!