Despite its flaws, I am growing really fond of this series, and of Kiryu in particular.
Unfortunately this particular entry is quite outdated, and it especially shows in the gameplay department. Combat mechanics were, at best, serviceable in the other Yakuza games I played (kiwami and kiwami 2). In Yakuza 3, they are just annoying and boring, enemies just keep blocking everything, and each encounter is a slog. So I just put the game on easy and focused on enjoying the story (which is what I like about these games anyway). This meant that I interacted with the mechanics and the environment way less than in previous games, which is a bit of a shame.
I feel like this chapter delivers a more compelling narrative than 2 (although I still think 1 has a better story), because the central conflict is better established, and the final resolution is cathartic and not a series of idiotic plot twists (looking at you, kiwami 2).
I really appreciated the characterisation of most of the characters. The orphans are quirky, charming, and a little annoying at times (as is to be expected from kids their age), Rikiya is just the most precious boy (I love showing him around in Kamurocho), and even the main antagonist has a satisfying end to his character arc, in the game's final moments. He's not as memorable as Ryuji by any means, but I appreciated his "ending" a lot more
It's a shame that the mechanics are so outdated and clunky, both in combat and in the minigames, as they severely hold back my opinion of this game. I'm also kind of disappointed by the series' apparent fondness of cheap fake-out cliffhangers that get resolved after the credits.
Still, this is a pretty solid entry in the series and I'm looking forward to seeing what Yakuza 4 has to offer
Unfortunately this particular entry is quite outdated, and it especially shows in the gameplay department. Combat mechanics were, at best, serviceable in the other Yakuza games I played (kiwami and kiwami 2). In Yakuza 3, they are just annoying and boring, enemies just keep blocking everything, and each encounter is a slog. So I just put the game on easy and focused on enjoying the story (which is what I like about these games anyway). This meant that I interacted with the mechanics and the environment way less than in previous games, which is a bit of a shame.
I feel like this chapter delivers a more compelling narrative than 2 (although I still think 1 has a better story), because the central conflict is better established, and the final resolution is cathartic and not a series of idiotic plot twists (looking at you, kiwami 2).
I really appreciated the characterisation of most of the characters. The orphans are quirky, charming, and a little annoying at times (as is to be expected from kids their age), Rikiya is just the most precious boy (I love showing him around in Kamurocho), and even the main antagonist has a satisfying end to his character arc, in the game's final moments. He's not as memorable as Ryuji by any means, but I appreciated his "ending" a lot more
It's a shame that the mechanics are so outdated and clunky, both in combat and in the minigames, as they severely hold back my opinion of this game. I'm also kind of disappointed by the series' apparent fondness of cheap fake-out cliffhangers that get resolved after the credits.
Still, this is a pretty solid entry in the series and I'm looking forward to seeing what Yakuza 4 has to offer