Is one of the most unique games in the Yakuza series, and honestly, it’s so full of charm and emotion. Instead of sticking to the classic beat ‘em up style from the older games, it completely flips the script and becomes a turn-based RPG. That alone shows how much it embraces the absurd in such a fun way.

It’s a wild ride of building friendships, uncovering conspiracies, and, of course, fighting in some of the most ridiculous ways ever.

What really stands out to me is the way the game mixes humor and heavy emotions. One minute, you’re laughing at something ridiculous, like summoning a giant lobster in battle, and the next, you’re hit with deep, emotional moments about loyalty, redemption, and finding your place in the world. It’s a rollercoaster, but it’s so worth it.


As for spoilers, here’s something impactful and related to a tough choice:
In chapter 12, you face the decision of whether to keep trusting Masumi Arakawa, even after discovering some of the shady stuff he’s done. I chose to trust him, and honestly, I think that was one of the best choices I made in the game. Even after finding out about his past and what he kept hidden, it felt like the right move to stick with him.

Definitely one of the best games, no doubt about it!

Absolute cinema

Short version: Highly recommended, some issues holds it back from completely amazing experience but another very solid entry in the series. Deffo give this a look if you're fan of Like A Dragon series and/or turn-based JRPGs with class change system.
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Another solid entry of Like A Dragon series, with a new twist that battles are now turn-based RPG like Dragon Quest with new cast of characters that you play as. Initially, I was mixed on the turn based battles after having been used to older games, I felt that freedom wasn't there... until that I've played more it's growing a lot on me. Even though I'm fed up of encounters by random spawn when I just wanted to explore the damn city, haha.

However, I must say that it has few flaws that I would like to see improved - like characters' placement. It feels like lot of luck on auto placement for lining up your area of effect attacks, and I've ended up wasting item that damages enemy because one of my party members walked into and took the hit instead of target it was intended for. I felt like some battles drag for too long and I don't mean main story boss fights, I mean like there'd be one or two and somehow they have most resistances except Cold and there aren't many cold-focused attack/magic in this game so I was just mashing to get it over and done with. Boss fights are amazing though (with exception of one that I had to look up how to overcome it...)

I was expecting the jobs(classes) to have some of wackness that Yakuza series offers, but they felt like your standard RPG classes but I'll say that's on me for having my expectations high. I also wish it'd give me more than two actions from each job to pass over, or at least let me pick what ones I want to include. The fact I can't change job freely and have to go to specific spot every time I need to was bit frustrating, and there are jobs I wasn't fan of due to their pool of moves lacking - however, it's not all bad as it captures what I love about Final Fantasy 3&5 - be able to level multiple jobs and stat boosts as well some of cross-job skills are genuinely good and there are amazing jobs like Dealer and Breaker.

As usual, substories are there - I do wish there was more, but what was there was decent enough. Some genuine great moments that made me laugh a lot, and there were genuine touching moments too. Ichi as protag also helps a lot, compared toKiryu he's lot more sillier but also very cool. He's deffo jumped up to one of my favourite characters and the banter with the party during the game was amazing. Minigames and other activities are great too, save for Dragon Kart. I thought Dragon Kart was pretty naff due to handling that once I got better handling car it was more bearable... but that's only one thing I don't like over other activites that the game has to offer.

I do hope next game improves lot of the issues, but for what is their first take on turn-based JRPG for Like A Dragon series, they did great job and I'm looking forward to what they can bring in Infinite Wealth.

But all in all, I can recommend this especially to long-term Yakuza/Like A Dragon fans (some of you might need take more time to get used to shift in combat system) and/or those who likes turn-based JRPG games, especially Dragon Quest series (which you'll hear it being mentioned few times in the game, too).