yakuza 7 is a phenomenal game in every way, and really re-integrated me back into the series.

like a dragon 8 significantly improves on nearly aspect of that game - though i will say, i found that the plot was much less simple in this game and found it a little hard to follow sometimes. the trade off though is a brilliant spectacle that far outweighs the sum of its parts.

infinite wealth is an emotional tour de force that provides memorable characters and interactions alongside the best turn based rpg combat i have seen this decade. love it. a staple of my favorite games for years to come.

this game is fuckin awesome

lets start with what sucks so we can get it out the way
the pacing's a little wacky and it does feel kiryu is kinda just here cus his names on the game, i find that he's much too saintly in this game. big "legacy character beecoming the mentor" but kiryus not rly at that point yet IMO.
haruka saejima scene...
rubber bullets is peak but also very annoyingly stupid
WAY TOO MANY "I WALK AWAY FROM THE GUN BUT THE ENEMY PICKED IT UP AND SHOT ME"

other than that everythings goated

combat is clean, everything feels like it has exactly the right movement and feeling, i love it. every character controls like a dream and has a unique niche to fill

the story is REALLY fun and kind of mixes a lot of serious issues in with the yakuza story bullshit we've come to expect. i'm a big fan of how this game isn't about some foreign power coming to fuck with japan, it's about how japans got something wrong with it. felt like a very notable reflection on the series so far, almost like an apology for dubious portrayals in previous games

introducing three series mainstay protagonists who outshine the series protagonist kiryu is a feat in and of itself

i dunno dude this game is just awesome, it captures the weird microcosm of fist of the northstar hyper-masculine dudes punching while talking about why love is badass in a way only this franchise could - and it never felt like it was compromising it, i guess.