Weird to review these as a combo pack but I played them as a combo pack. I really think the yuzo koshiro soundtrack sounds best on the turbografx really like how the synths sound and if im being honest the soundtrack kind of carries this entire experience for me. It was very enjoyable although there's some classic 80s dungeons design here were it feels like it was designed to break your spirit and waste your time. I like adol, i like how he bumps into enemies, I sure hope his visit to the nordics involves a lot of him bumping into enemies.

Everything to say about this game has been said but I just wanted to note I tried to get into this game the two times before the successful 3rd time, and those first 2 times I thought this shit was vapid and uninviting to newcomers. However, I watched a long long recap vid for witcher 1 and 2, (because it asks you questions about what you did in witcher 2 that can change certain things in the witcher 3) and I had a much easier time getting started. Halfway through this game I stopped and read first 2 books and then when I finished the game I went and read the rest of the books. This game does an excellent job of letting the player decide what geralt would do in situations BUT still having either one of those decisions feel like something geralt would actually do. The way the story and quests progress feel similar to the short story collection style of writing that the first two witcher books take, and not only can you enjoy this game without having played any of the previous books or games, but you get an extra layer of enjoyment when you go back to read or play those games (besides witcher 1) because of how excellently portrayed all of the characters are in this game. The main plot of the game is very engrossing and the side quests are the best I think I will ever see in western rpgs, they are dynamic and pretty interesting as little witcher micro narratives. Gwent is also very fun in this game and theres a side quest where you can lower the price of an expensive item by beating a guy at gwent and I loved how they weaved in their in world mini game as an optional path in one of their quests.

Its like a cross between rain world and fez but less cryptic more atmospheric. The CRT filter blend with the art style used here is very very nice to look at. Its good at being slightly unsettling when it needs to be. I will say though this game doesn't necessarily finish since the phases after getting the credits are just getting all the collectibles and then helping solve the very cryptic puzzles with other people online. I kind of expected a lot less from this experience but I really enjoyed my time with this, it doesn't overstay its welcome and its not to hard to find or figure out a large amount of secrets on your own. It somehow manages to purposefully create the feeling of mystique and mystery that I feel most games only manifest unintentionally.

It gave me carpal tunnel at age 12 and again at age 20 but its so charming and fun and well paced and extremely unique. The tonal balance between constant witty and humorous banter (that isnt grating) and a story that actually can surprise you at times is done really well. I still think about chapter 18 every now and then. These characters are really memorable and its impressive what they were able to do narratively and character wise with what is essentially a 3d on rails shooter. god what a fun game the only reason i wouldnt give it 5 stars is purely cause there isnt a way to play this, even with emulating, that doesnt make you feel like you should have stretched before hand

This games pretty underwhelming after kiwami but I think that has to do with it being 1 to 1 (besides the added nishiki alone cutscenes) with a ps2 action game that was made with the expectation that it would be a one off (funny enough the next couple of games would be written to feel like they would be the last yakuza game since they weren't sure if another one would get approved) Also man a lot of these electronic remixes of the original music kind of land flat in my opinion I do not like them as much as I liked the orginal PS2 tracks. But its still a really solid fun experience and I don't really think it overstays its welcome. Oh also I don't think this serves as a good replacement for Yakuza 1 since a lot of that games ambience and music that fit the games tone is lost in kiwami.