Im being very honest, this is what I expected from Gaiden before it came out: a short but immensely character focused experience that doesnt meander around for too long while remaining true to the series' humanity. While I believe there's definitely room for side content here to improve its replayability, I cant help but admire how focused it is to bringing humanity to my favourite himbo in the series: Masaharu Kaito.
The DLC feels like RGG coming back and exploring the ideas and themes set in stone all the way back in Yakuza 1 with the writing experience theyve had for over a decade now. Kaito more or less goes through the same struggles as Kiryu minus the ten year joint: running away from those he loves, weighing how much being bound by blood affects the bonds we have and the strength we posess to fight for the ones we love. Its a clean slate to Kaito compared to the jumbled predicament that Kiryu is currently in and it really invites a breath of fresh air for Kaito to get a well deserved happy ending.
Plot wise Im happy to say that the quality of writing within the plot is just as good as the first Judgment, which I hold in high regard!
Twists are kept to a minimum this time around, I think I can only remember 3 or so and most of them are very minor. It also has probably the most heartwarming ending in the series and with everything Kaito, Jun and Mikiko have been through, I couldnt be more happy.
Combat is just recycled Beast and Brawler from o but with minor tweaks to suit LJ's playstyle and they work so well here. Like Yagami, Kaito is all about the flow and starts off slow before becoming a lightning bruiser once you get the speed boosts. One problem I have is thst juggling is alot harder this time but the weight of the combat more than makes up for that fluidity.
All in all, A throughly engaging DLC that wastes no time in relishing in the humanity of its characters by using the plot as a vehicle for character development rather than the other way around, suceeding with flying colours. Ill definitely get on the PS2 Yakuza games before Infinite Wealth, which I might cop during the holidays. Nobody does it like them man

This game is fucking awesome.

"She can't say her peace without a voice. So if I don't raise mine for her, what justice prevails!?"

Lost Judgment is a game that is fixated on the injustices of the world, mainly their roots and how society responds to them. It's a game that refuses to answer its moral dilemma that pits vigilantism against the law, instead opting to leave you intriguing questions about morality and what true justice really means. When left unchecked, the evils in the world can fester to terrifying proportions, and what happens when its already too late? How does the law maintain a balance between enacting justice and upholding order? While, RGG has been known for making tight and engaging narratives, this is the type of story you didn't know they had in them.
On a more technical point of view, the narrative definitely has its flaws. The game sacrifices alot of the personal stakes on Yagami from the first game in favor for a more thematically strong tale and the second half definitely loses itself a little in its grand government conspiracy, which makes Yagami's argument feel less fluid than it should be towards the end of the game, with the biggest example being the taxi ride scene. However, the sheer thematic might of Lost Judgment's narrative has solidified this spin-off series' capability to stand on its own two legs and tackle subjects that the Yakuza series rarely explores such as bullying, suicide and vigilantism along with their ramifications towards society, all culminating in one of the best finales the series has ever seen.

Without spoiling their identity, the main antagonist of the game is easily the greatest antagonist RGG has ever made. Each time they interact with Yagami is a sight to behold along with their characterization and parallels to him in the context of what they represent, all culminating in one of the most satisfying conclusion RGG has given to an antagonist in their rogues gallery of already incredible antagonists. Hell, other antagonists in this game like Soma and Akutsu are incredible too, along with the side cast with new and old characters alike (bar the Genda Law Office gang, they really fumbled with them for this game). Shoutouts go to Kuwana, Tesso, Ehara, and my boys Sugiura and Tsukumo.

Comparing the combat in this game to Judgment feels like day and night. Yagami's attacks flow faster from the start and juggling feels way more satisfying and smooth to pull off. Each fighting style has their own unique flow to them: Snake helps for disarming and taking enemies out of the fight quickly, Tiger now feels more balanced compared to the first game and its moveset has increased tremendously, Boxer helps with juggling and punishing enemies for blocking, and Crane...feels better than sex now. The way each style interweaves with each other as you upgrade Yagami with unique boosts that carry to every style provides a sense of diversity to your "build" of Yagami. Its RGG combat at its finest and most polished, to put it simply.

The open world feels incredible to explore too! Ijincho's gargantuan size is accommodated for with the fast travel system and the new skateboard mechanic, which also makes Lost Judgment the true successor to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. The school setting is such a breath of fresh air and tones down the scale of the story in a manner akin to Yakuza 3's orphanage setting, introducing fun characters like Amasawa and several intriguing 'school stories', a top contender for my favorite piece of side content in the series. Highlights are definitely the Boxing club and the Robotics Club, both having engaging plots and actual depth to their minigames, almost reminding me of something like the Taxi minigame from Yakuza 5. The open world has its blemishes though, as always. Substories are poorly distributed and paced in this game, with the bulk of them being found around the first half of the game and then becoming non existent in the second half for some reason. The Biker gang school story fucking stinks too, its way too punishing and literally unwinnable.

I'll definitely check out the Kaito Files in the near future but in the end, Lost Judgment is a beautiful gestalt that crushes its slight flaws by marrying its unique premise and thematic complexity to the emotional weight of the mainline series, culminating in an exhilarating and thought-provoking entry that I can gladly say is the best game in the franchise. Only time will tell if Infinite Wealth will dethrone it but as of now, I am very comfortable declaring this stance.

TLDR Unwavering Belief>Kendrick's entire discography