I've heard you and Rahul mention these games with love many times and I've always been intimidated by them. I think I'm actually gonna go for 0 soon purely because of this video (also I adored the editing on this one)
Sure, Yakuza 3 might've aged like milk in the hot sun, but its story is a crucial point in Kiryu's characterization, and it has some of the best characters (Rikyia my beloved) and the second best antagonist (nobody's overtaking my boy Kuze)
I also think Yakuza 3 is wrongfully dismissed. Yes - the enemies block your attacks way too much. But the story and the Okinawa setting are so, so good.
Forever grateful for @patstaresat.bsky.social and my friend who had the dance off with Miracle Johnson when I woke up drunk from yesterdays party for getting me into the Yakuza series. PLAY YAKUZA.
The build up to it is ludicrous too! The scary fake Steven Spielberg filming Yakuza's version of Thriller with Kiryu slamming zombies over the head with mopeds with Miracle moonwalking down the street is such a fever dream and it just never stops giving. It's the BEST!!
I played through all of them last year and it was such a treat. Each game feels so special and unique. I don’t really know how to describe it but they’re all so deliberately made.
The characters are all top notch too
Glad to hear the soap opera comparison in the video. I heard someone describe the series that way once and it immediately clicked. It’s a soap opera!(complimentary)
Been meaning to make some progress on this series for ages, and I have no excuse since a few are already in my Steam library. Just moved it further up my list!
These games are so great!!! My entry into the series was Ichi and Like a Dragon. I've played all the new ones since. I've also gone back and played Zero, Kiwami 1 and 2. I can't wait to play the Pirates! 🤣🤣🤣
Played 0 few years back, got kiwami 1 and 2 waiting. 0 was spectacular and the tonal whiplash works for me quite well, at some point I bet I will play the whole series. My sleep paralysis demon will transform into Majima then, pretty sure.
At first I thought it was a fun coincidence that I'd just tried the Pirate Yakuza demo today and then you posted this, but then I realised the full game released today too.
I'm 100% getting it next paycheck, never played one before but always been meaning to. Pirate theming absolutely reeled me in.
I've bought all the games a couple of times across various platforms, but never actually started a franchise run. It's so daunting. I'm waiting for a gap in my gaming schedule to sit down and say okay, it's time.
I've been waiting since the PS4 launch for a remake or remaster of the Legacy of Kain games. My gf bought them for me for my birthday. Also bought several games at Black Friday. But then I downloaded YLaD and got the plat. Then bought IW at Xmas.
Finally got on the Yakuza train with 'Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth'. Ended up 100% it.
You are so right about the line. They see the line and do leaps and bounds to either side. So much tonal whiplash, but the melodrama of it all carries it through.
I watched this because I finally started playing Yakuza 0 and I'm really liking it so far. It's so funny but behind the jokes there is this core of sweet, kind-hearted sincerity that is shocking for me to see.
Like the virgin slot car guy, in GTA the joke would just be that the guy is a virgin and we laugh at him. But in Yakuza 0, it goes a bit further to show that he's insecure about it and Kiryu builds him up by reminding him that it doesn't matter, he's good with kids and he does what he loves
@charalanahzard.bsky.social @rahulkohli13.bsky.social are you playing the new game on or off stream ? Would love to see you both play it one day even if its not a full playthrough on stream you do
RGG is such an awesome studio, still gotta get through LAD and IW before getting to pirates but like you said, excited every time a new game is announced
This gave me the impulse to start playing YK2 ahead of schedule after being kinda let down by YK1 very recently. So far I'm pretty glad that I did and I almost wish that I had just skipped YK1 entirely.
I wanted to get into Yakuza but I *really* don't like turn based games. I liked everything else I was experiencing but that just killed it for me and I couldn't keep going.
Absolutely amazing video that really articulates just how good the Yakuza series is. My one critique would be you don't mention how unhinged (in the best way) the side stories are. Like the dominatrix in Yakuza 0 or the baby formula shortage in Like a Dragon.
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The characters are all top notch too
Is the video spoiler-heavy or am I silly? I was excited to watch!
What game would you recommend I start with? I’m contemplating starting Yakuza Zero soon.
I played the crap out of The Hostess Brigade minigame in Yakuza 0!
I'm 100% getting it next paycheck, never played one before but always been meaning to. Pirate theming absolutely reeled me in.
I've been waiting since the PS4 launch for a remake or remaster of the Legacy of Kain games. My gf bought them for me for my birthday. Also bought several games at Black Friday. But then I downloaded YLaD and got the plat. Then bought IW at Xmas.
Barely touched LoK.
You are so right about the line. They see the line and do leaps and bounds to either side. So much tonal whiplash, but the melodrama of it all carries it through.
And my wife now loves Kiryu.
I've played 0-3 so far!
I started with Like a Dragon in 2021, then binged 0-6 & Judgement
But since then I bounced off lost judgement, skipped Ishin and ran through Man Who Erased His Name real quick
But after watching this, I’m an hour into Infinite Wealth and loving it ✌️
It's just not my jam friend🤷
Looking forward to Days gone remastered though💪
Oh, flub, there's a remastered collection, too. And "Kiwami," versions of 1 and 2?
As Alanah mentions, 0 is slow to get going, but very much worth persisting with.
I know i am in the minority here.
Anyway, what's up with Marvel Rivals? I've heard some strong accusations from both sides of the layoffs, I'm curious about the "insider" perspective.