* Blind-ish Run
Think I played about an hour of it a year or two ago. Wasn't in the mood at the time, just randomly playing stuff and dropped it. Well, I'm getting the craving for that Resident Evil formula so here we go!
-- Train Complete
Ohhhh man I don't know where to start... Maybe it's just me but it's kinda hard. Enemies are bullet sponges, they barely stagger, they seem to respawn?, and it fights against the "stop and shoot" nature of the combat. What makes it worse is there's seemingly NO ITEM BOX WTF. So I have to drop precious ammo or even weapons to get a key item, return to it while also taking a lot of damage, then come back, while also taking a lot of damage... at least the puzzle and switching mechanics are fun but again, the item management fights against the fun mechanics... I don't know if I'll continue but we'll see this next section. I get why 0 is barely talked about. I'm a casual RE fan and I barely hear about this game. Whew

* I didn't realize I got the 100% yesterday. There's no Platinum and there are only 12 trophies lol
* Played a bunch anyway because it's THAT GOOD. 10/10

Chapter 10 ROUND 2
Wasn't too bad once you get to the checkpoint. Just wish you can save your progress and skip long scenes not just dialog.

Chapter 11
+ Opening the trunk was fun
* Was I spoiled by the background option in the menu? Kamila has a core and there's a black cat IIRC in the background so that may be our 2nd ghost? This is getting interesting. Wonder how much that ghost has been meddling in the bg...
- wtf was that lol. Kamilla is smart enough to set up an elaborate contraption and didn't factor in the VERY SUSPICIOUS rope leading to the gun and "accidentally" killed her mom?! Dude I'll let it play out but that was random as hell
* Theory: Alright I'm starting to get it. This Ghost #2 dude is using his powers to kill or something. I'm guessing its the guy Jowd shot to save Lynne and that explains why the contraption became an accident. It could be Lamp guy and he's lying about the "time limit" of ghosts. Bro the finale is gonna be INSANE
* Theory: Ok this is getting into fanfic territory but why is Jowd painting a picture of Sissel? I'm still factoring my previous theory of the protagonist just borrowing Sissel's appearance because of the murky rules in the ghost world so taking that into account... maybe Sissel was the killer after all? He does look suspiciously like one of those blue guys... but then who is the MC? Tho now that I think about it, the memory loss debunks that theory.

+ Super addicting.... and it's all FREE wtf?!
+ Got to Tyr and what an awesome fight. Got him first try too. Had a bunch of axe throw glyphs that makes stun easy.
* Finished the story. What a DLC and an awesome end(?) to Kratos' journey. I'll try for plat so I'm not done yet

Chapter 9 ROUND 2
Finally got it in 3 more tries. Didn't realize Jowd can roll in the valve area

Chapter 10
- again, no checkpoint, there's at least 3 minutes of skipping before the puzzle starts, then it's entirely experimental. This sucks when playing over and over again. I'm getting tired

Done! Beat the Young Master with just Peppermill Blow and it was very appropriate and hilarious. English dub was awesome. Ready for Infinite Wealth!

Chapter 8

Chapter 9
- No checkpoint on a section with 0 visibility that requires waiting for the right time and experimenting suuuuuuuuuuccccckkkks

* Grinded the Sotenbori Battle Arena to get the Dragon equipment set for main party

* Beat Majima and Saejima with an all-Devil Rocker team. It was hilarious

ICHIBAN CONFECTIONS IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS BOIS

* Played Business Management all day until I got Rank 1. SO FUN. I'll miss Eri in the sequels T_T

* Maxed all Bonds, Got the DLC Jobs on sale and Devil Rocker is SO GOOD. I'm tempted to do a Devil Rocker only party run. It'd be hilarious to beat everyone while singing Hell Pot.

* Got COVID since 27th so it took until today to be able to play without getting a fever.

* Story progressed a bit. I tried hard to beeline it but the side activities are too fun.

Chapter 5
* Got the Covid for the first time. Not hitting hard yet so might play a bit
+ The locked murder case was cool
+ Lynne is awesome. I love her.

Chapter 6
+ The plot is getting spicy!
* Theory: I wonder if Lynne and Cissel planned this? There's no resistance from Cissel when being shot...
* Also the black cat is definitely that other ghost dude

Chapter 7
* Probably my favorite Ghost Trick section. Everybody is fun, the puzzle was a bit more complex, and it went on multiple stages.
* Theory: About the core thing, I wonder if it plays into the mystery? I wonder if we're playing as a different person and the other ghost dude was Cissel? Maybe we're unconscious and other ghost dude used that as red herring why we can't possess Cissel's body? Dunno. Just throwing things out there.

Chapter 4
+ The Ghost Trick sections are getting good.

Chapter 5
+ Every character is amazing and charming wtf

Infinite Wealth is about to come out so I want to replay Y:LAD

- btw it sucks that you can't transfer saves and trophies to the PS5 version. I couldn't pass up the 60fps so...

Pseudo-NG+, English Dub, Professional Difficulty Run is done!
Nothing much to add except the final boss is infinitely better with lower strength on Professional difficulty. It sucks so hard that there's no Legend difficulty on such a great boss fight. Also last phase could use 2 more health bars. Too short.

English Dub
So I saw Yong's performance on the finale. It was his best performance throughout Gaiden. I didn't cry tho so it doesn't hit as hard as Kuroda's performance (and it's not because I saw it already. I cried again when watching others' playthrough) but props for a decent VA befitting Kiryu. Overall, I think the English Dub as a collective is fine for me on a replay. I'll never play it on a blind playthrough tho.

Trial: Turnabout Samurai

Played a bit. Finished Day 2.
- So much running around with 0 clue where to go.
- Oldbag and maybe Powers are the only new character that's good. The rest are either insufferable or meh.

Chapter 3
+ Have I mentioned how much of a bop the OST is?
+++++ INSPECTOR CABANELA IS SOOO FUNNY
+ Love the pacing of each chapter. The mysteries keep piling up, the puzzles aren't complicated, and the interactivity of the Ghost Trick is amazing. Now this is what video games are all about.
- It can get handhold-y at times

Chapter 4
* Theory: We saw Lynne change into Cabanela in the Ghost world because that's what she imagine a detective looks like (I think). So... what if we're not playing AS Cissel? What if we just took his form because he's the first body we saw and Lamp Man just said that's us so we just assumed? What if Lamp Man IS Cissel? Or it's just a funny gag...

Chapter 3-5
Pretty smooth run so far. Started wearing gear that reduces strength and it's super fun

ENG Dub Impressions
Got to chapter 2. I agree that Yong is miscast but he does a decent Kiryu when he's being serious and stoic. When there's an emotional moment, I find that he loses the Kiryu voice a lot. Karaoke is bad as well but meh that's a mini-game. I find it funny that Hanawa and even Yoshimura unintentionally fits the Kiryu voice well lol. I chock it up to voice direction maybe? If he can be consistent with the stoic voice for the more emotional ones then it'd be good enough IMO. Anyway, curious to see the most important delivery, the final scene.

Pseudo-NG+ impressions
Well, my plan was dumb. It was way too easy on Professional even w/o the attack boosts (Wish there's a Legend difficulty) but the boss hp mod does wonders for cool moments.

Chapter 1
+ Presentation is on point. What a stylized game.
+ The Ghost Trick mechanic is awesome. Never seen anything like it.

Chapter 2
+ Just saved BEST BOY Missile!
* Random but the character portraits reminds me of Puyo Puyo Tetris. Same artist maybe?

Chapter 6-7

Pseudo-NG+
There's no NG+ as of Dec 23, 2023 so I was planning to "wait" and see if they'll add something before Infinite Wealth comes out... BUT I had an idea. I saw a mod where you can just get all skill points for free. Now the problem is, equipment and NG+ difficulty to balance. Well, I can just cheat to have all the money and akame points that I need, and there's another mod that adds lifebars to bosses. I think that works for a replay without worry of grind. Can't wait for the Final Boss!

ENG Dub
This time, I'll play the English Dub. I have no problems with it mainly because I play on Japanese anyway but I can see why there's backlash for it

Mods
Might use some fun combat mods and cosmetic/model additions. That Akame mod looks fun too.

Final Chapter: The Man Who Erased His Name
* Oh wow so it's time... All I know is, it's the best sendoff for Kiryu and the end is amazing. I AM NOT READY.
* They're setting up Infinite Wealth now. I'm gonna cry when Kiryu gets to the church T_T
* Jesus Shishido's history is tragic
* I'll do one last grind. I won't finish it though I'll just lighten the load for the 100% later after the story.
* Four Kings are a JOKE
+ The final Platinum Boss Rush was AWESOME. COLISEUM ROCKS!
+ Amon Fight: Well, it was pretty manageable. No BS mechanic and I LIKE IT. It's a challenge but not headache-inducing. Took a while to realize the drones heal him but I figured out how to outdamage him. Fun fight.
- OH COME ON NOW A TOY THAT SPURTS BLOOD?! THAT'S WAY WORSE THAN RUBBER BULLETS MY DUDE! Somehow Gaiden manages to outdumb the Mirror Face...
- Seems like a bug with lighting when arriving at Omi HQ?
+ The Omi brawl with Kasuga as a setpiece was peak!
+ Shishido is amazing final boss. They're trying to do the Aizawa fight again but a bit slower paced. Ngl Shishido is a jobber because of the juggle system. I feel kinda bad for his fate given his story but his greed for power is too much
- btw... WHERE ARE MY QTEs?!!!!
+++ Man that final set of cutscenes WRECKED ME! Yeah I was planning on a 4/5 but I'll give Gaiden a 4.5. What a game that resonates hard for us longtime fans.

Premium Adventure
* Trophy cleanup
- I've been putting it off for a while now but time to do Cabaret. I'm gonna be miserable through this because I don't like it, or Cabaret in general (The dating parts, not the managing ones like 0 and K2)
* btw, Using a guide for this idc. CyricZ da GOAT
++ YOU CAN SKIP THE CABARET DIALOG YES!
-- YOU CAN'T SKIP THE DATE SCENES NOOO!

GOT 100% ACHIEVEMENTS!!!

* Will finish all Pocket Circuit matches to get all Akame missions

Chapter 4
* Spent most of my time on getting everything possible with Akame Network and Coliseum
+ Bruh that was brutal
- NO WAY HE SURVIVED THAT?! I guess we need a final boss but how?!
+ Surprised Tsuruno/Shishido is still alive. I am happy the past 2 RGG games aren't as predictable as the early games.

Chapter 3
+/- So outfits reflect the cutscenes as well... and I happen to be wearing my goofy fits during an emotional one. I regret it
* LOOOOOTS of Akame Network and Coliseum stuff
+ Nishitani Fight: Man I miss the eccentric moves of Nishitani. This is an amazing fight. Also QTEs are back baby!
+ Man the Party Hardy bit was super fun. Endears you to the Watase boys.
* Wish we fought Nishitani at The Grand for the callback to Yakuza 0
* The story is kicking into high gear. Took RGG a while to set everything up ngl. Though that's standard RGG games. Wonder how much story is left? My theory is before the dissolution but I hope we get an Ichi boss fight.
+ Joryu is actually... being smart for once?!
- Can only change outfit at Boutique

Chapter 2
- Got the Hornet. It sucks ass atm (I'll wait until fully upgraded to judge)
+ Firefly is THE BEST. We're almost like Amon now with all these. Wonder if his clan is a part of Daidoji?
* Upgraded Agent Style a bit and it's all coming together. The clunky-ness is gone and it's so much fun now.
- Castle lags A LOT
+ Coliseum is super fun. Lots of callbacks. Fake Ryuji fight was sick! My heart almost burst when he appeared.
* Long Battle 2: Now THIS is a long battle. Great pacing, fun fights (not you, gun man), and caps off with a cool boss fight (Dynamic intro was sick af)
- Where are my QTEs?!
+ POCKET CIRCUIT IS BACK!
* Best coliseum in any RGG game hands down
* Seeing now how money plays into this. THAT's why they give so many plates...
+ KAITOOOO!!! HIGASHIIII!!! Man I CAN'T WAIT for Judgment 3. Kaito and Higashi as a partner is the type of buddy cop story I want and need. Right now.

Chapter 1
+ That title screen is so stylish!
+ Vibe/tone of game is amazing
- Bruh what is that stock army style font when introducing enemies?
+ Agent Style is sick af!
+ Spider Gadget is a cool addition to the combat.
- A bit clunky and slow though. Hope upgrades will fix it.
-/+ Wonder how much the feel of combat is tied to Kiryu being old and having you-know-what. He's slow, clunky, and barely generates heat.
* It was obvious knowing Kiryu but he's the worst spy ever. Everybody knows him lmao
- Spider SUCKS AT BOSS FIGHTS
* Yo the game is running parallel to YLAD!
+ Played some Arcade. First time playing something Sonic. It was actually a fun fighting game wtf
* My man can't even get a smoke :(
+ Hanawa and Kiryu's friendship is gonna be a tight one, I feel.
+/- Long Battle 1: Well, it's okay. The bosses sucks because you barely get to use your full arsenal due to the way they fight. I had to constantly use dodge attacks just to get a combo in and there's barely an opening for juggles.
* Just reached Bar Survive and LMAO because they used an actual actress they can't use Iroha's likeness in this and creates an inconsistency. Also RGG doing its hardest to not have a Kiryu and Kashiwagi meetup

Chapter 2
* OKINAWA!!! THE KIDS (THEY GROWN NOW)!!! HARUTO!!!!! HARUKA SOUNDS MATURE!!
- Lag on Sotenbori
+ Notice a lot of cool new NPCs
+ Akame is cool. I only know her actress from Joshimental and she's hilarious there. Can't wait to see more of her.
+ Game is lenient with money and drops. I like it.
+ Akame Network is a nice spin on completion points and Hero quests in LAD. It's short and easy too.
+/- hmm not too fond of the "realistic" Cabaret Club. Feels hammy in both the acting and dialog. It's like it was written for a 3d model NPC and not live action. But then again, I don't usually play Cabaret Dates in LAD games (Yeah I know). Happy for Kson tho.
+ First substory! Feeling good about the rest just from this one (Film Assistant Needed). What a cool twist.

Chapters: 3-5

Wow I'm blitzing through the game even with Plasma gun only.

Chapters: 1-2

Cleaning up some trophies plus an NG+ playthrough using only the Plasma Gun for the achievement.

- Wish you can skip cutscenes :(

Chapter 10
Hunter down for good? Yes please. His fights are fun though in that you have to improv because he's invincible.

Chapter 11
The twists were expected. I didn't trust Daniels since that Hammond line in the very beginning and the hallucinations was set up very well for Nicole. Her weird dialog about being whole is a BIG clue. Dead Space is very good at natural dialog and Nicole isn't that.

Chapter 12
RIP to the legendary USG Ishimura also finale on an alien planet?! Also nice twist with Cross there. Daniels' is a great character and antagonist but I wish we knew more of her backstory. Pretty open-ended ending with Isaac being affected still by the Marker. Wonder if he'll return as a Necro? That'd be cool. Also Marker is still there. This ain't over yet (Probably a continuation to DS2).

- Hivemind was a bit of a letdown in that Plasma Gun was the ONLY weapon I have that was effective. Wish I'd utilized the full depth of the combat to beat it. It ended up as just one generic big monster with weak points and an extremely telegraphed attack.