This game truly feels like a culmination and celebration of every single Yakuza game to come before it. I can’t express how much I love these characters. Ichiban and Kiryu are, quite simply, the perfect protagonists. Taking a trip down memory lane with Kiryu and seeing all of the people he’s affected throughout his life was such a special experience and had me on the verge of tears multiple times. Ichiban has once again proven how much of an amazing protagonist he is. The Like a Dragon series is in the right hands. As Kiryu said “I'll take on the Yakuza's past. But you... I want you to handle their future.”

I wasn’t as huge on the story in this game compared to Yakuza: Like a Dragon, which felt way more personal. Overall, it had much better pacing and a more compelling villain. Everything else though? Unmatched. The combat in this game is spectacular. It takes what was built previously in Yakuza: Like a Dragon and expands on it tenfold. Simply being able to move opens so many more opportunities for dealing with different enemies. Whether it be combos, weapons, or lineups; it lets you be more tactical with your moves. The amount of jobs to choose from adds even more crazy and outlandish attacks that had me dying when I first used them. I literally cooked these Japanese men in a giant wok and then served them on a plate as a move. What other game is doing this? Also, being able to say “fuck this” and break free of the turn-based shackles as Kiryu with Dragons Resurgence is S-tier.

This series holds a special place in my heart and I know whatever RGG cooks up next is going to absolutely destroy me.