RGG have such a knack for writing the most lovable characters, and Ichiban is some kinda massive step up from even that. A beautiful idiot with a heart of gold. Lost count of the amount of times I audbly went "Yes, brother!" at the screen.
I honestly have barely anything else to say about the game that wouldnae be incoherent praise, other than that the change in combat would have put me right off if the writing and characters hadn't been so stellar. It was fun at first, but quickly felt like a total chore that ruined all feeling of pace and immediacy you get with the real-time stuff. Every single time the wee intro sequence and name drop before a big fight happened I got excited, then quickly remembered I would be doing turn-based and felt deflated again.
Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy turn-based combat. Played a million JRPGs in my time. But for me it just doesn't work well in this setting. Having to go grind to fight a boss for the fifth time because your ability to win is based on numbers rather than your own skill is just a very sad feeling in a Yakuza title. There is no tension or moment to moment adrenaline rush when you're chipping away at a health bar, knowing you have all the time in the world to browse menus and make decisions. However, I understand that the game's Dragon Quest inspired themes that I enjoyed so much couldn't have worked without it chasing this kind of fighting system. It's tough, and I don't think anybody could have balanced it without revamping the whole thing.
I should probably shut up now after mentioning that I had barely anything else to say and then typing that essay above. As much as it sounds like I'm ragging on the combat, I loved the game in spite of it.
Ichiban Kasuga is your new best friend.
[EDIT ADDED 2 YEARS LATER]
I kinda hate the game now looking back, haha.
I honestly have barely anything else to say about the game that wouldnae be incoherent praise, other than that the change in combat would have put me right off if the writing and characters hadn't been so stellar. It was fun at first, but quickly felt like a total chore that ruined all feeling of pace and immediacy you get with the real-time stuff. Every single time the wee intro sequence and name drop before a big fight happened I got excited, then quickly remembered I would be doing turn-based and felt deflated again.
Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy turn-based combat. Played a million JRPGs in my time. But for me it just doesn't work well in this setting. Having to go grind to fight a boss for the fifth time because your ability to win is based on numbers rather than your own skill is just a very sad feeling in a Yakuza title. There is no tension or moment to moment adrenaline rush when you're chipping away at a health bar, knowing you have all the time in the world to browse menus and make decisions. However, I understand that the game's Dragon Quest inspired themes that I enjoyed so much couldn't have worked without it chasing this kind of fighting system. It's tough, and I don't think anybody could have balanced it without revamping the whole thing.
I should probably shut up now after mentioning that I had barely anything else to say and then typing that essay above. As much as it sounds like I'm ragging on the combat, I loved the game in spite of it.
Ichiban Kasuga is your new best friend.
[EDIT ADDED 2 YEARS LATER]
I kinda hate the game now looking back, haha.