TLDR: Although there's much to love here, it does little that hasn't been outdone by later entries.

Resenting the bloat of Yakuza Kiwami, I came here wishing for a slicker, more rudimentary game. It certainly is more rudimentary, but what few pieces it has aren't strong enough to come together into an experience that feels complete. Still, Kamurocho is rendered beautifully enough and the combat is visceral enough for me to look forward to revisiting it in the future.