RemyRaccoon
2019
Basically Yakuza 3 but better… but kinda not? Aspects of combat are improved and I admire the ambition behind playing as four different characters with their own movesets and stories that eventually intersect, but it makes the game feel disjointed, like the substories and minigames aren’t worth doing as much, and it culminates with one of the worst final bosses I’ve ever seen. The rubber bullet stuff does not help.
2019
A bit too long for its own good, but out of the three remastered games, this is the one I enjoy the most. Combat’s even further improved, each character gets their own city to explore, and though it ends up being a bit convoluted, I much prefer how each character’s story intersects towards the end compared to Yakuza 4 (though damnit, we should have been able to play Haruka’s concert ourselves…)
The Dragon Engine is SO good. This is one of the most gorgeous looking games I’ve ever seen and every facet of it is rich with detail, but god I wish it was used on a better game. Combat’s Kiwami 2 but worse and I really don’t like how few opportunities for Heat actions you get, and honestly there are a lot of problems with the story, particularly with misogyny and xenophobia. I liked the (mostly) smaller scale of the story, but this entry makes me feel a little disenchanted with the series, which sucks considering this is supposed to be Kiryu’s big send-off.
2023
Straight up one of the best feeling 3D platformers I’ve ever played. Sybil’s moveset is wide and varied, allowing for some truly mesmerising platforming, and the big Metroidvania-style world compliments it beautifully, even if it could really do with a map. It’s only 3-4 hours long but that makes it a really fun game to replay every now and then. An indie classic in the making, I think!
Felt a little disillusioned with the series after really enjoying 0, but not enjoying any of the other games afterward, mostly because of the combat. Like a Dragon is the first time I’ve really enjoyed a Yakuza game again to actually want to complete the majority of side content, largely because the combat - while perhaps a little bit weirdly balanced (Head Trauma my beloved) - is so much more fun to me. Kasuga’s also a fantastic protagonist and absolutely worthy of his status as the series’ new protagonist, especially since he’s a Dragon Quest fan, which is unfathomably based. This makes me really excited for Like a Dragon’s future.