I’m old enough to remember when the first Yakuza game was released on PlayStation 2 in 2006 (2005 in Japan). That initial release was seen as a joke in the U.S. The yakuza were seen by some as a Japanese criminal and another took down the incompetent Grand Theft Auto. But mostly, it’s just ignored.
Over the years, creators Toshihiro Nagoshi and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio continues to create a Yakuza sequel after another. I remember that a small minority in the gaming community praised the fighting, humor, and storytelling of the series, but the in general widely wave goodbye to these games. However, gradually things started to change. With each new Yakuza, that minority of voices grows until they cannot be ignored.
I decided to find out what people were saying with the release of Yakuza 0. That’s when I started to feel bad for ignoring the series for so long. While playing Yakuza 0, I finally understood why the franchise has gained such a following over the years. Battle isn’t just fun; it is extremely gratifying. Every hit delivers a spectacular smash and I like to grab random bikes on street corners then smack them in the face of a few punks. As you fight, you build a device that measures heat, which is used to unleash a series of brutal punches, bone-chilling punches and other battle-ending super attacks. On one occasion, Kiryu shoved a box of nails into his opponent’s face before kicking them to the curb.
But the Yakuza is more than just a wild war. My favorite aspect of the series is the amazing balance between sheer absurdity and high drama. In a side quest Yakuza 0, you help superstar Michael Jackson shoot a music video by battling zombies in the streets. In another case, you have to pretend to be a complete stranger’s boyfriend so she can avoid an arranged marriage. But one of my favorite silly moments is when Kiryu brings food to foreigners after he misheard them saying “I need a pizza” instead of “I need a visa”.
The yakuza are full of really hilarious moments, but those scenes are often balanced with surprisingly rich stories about a man with a solid sense of justice caught up in a web of world conspiracy. criminal underground. The fact that the Yakuza actually shifts the wild tone from side quests to its main story is one of the things that makes it so amazing. Sure, the Yakuza can get a little vehement. However, I liked its almost distinctive storytelling approach, and a few moments in Yakuza 0 left me gasping for breath.
I played through Yakuza 0, the remake of the first game Yakuza Kiwamiand inspired by JRPG Yakuza: Like a Dragon, but that’s still not enough; I need to watch this series until it’s finished. I will be honest with you. This can be an uphill battle. Like many people, my time is limited and I have plenty of other games to play. It’s no secret that 2022 is form Okay one year banner for industry. I can’t wait to get titles like Elden Ring, Forbidden Horizon in the West, God of War Ragnarok, Marvel’s Midnight Sun, Knight of Gotham, Starfieldand *takes a deep breath* sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It’s a bunch of real killers coming out, and they’re sure to keep me busy, but honestly, the best moments in the Yakuza are as great as anything else. industry offers, so I need to make time for them.
If you’re looking for something new to tap into this year, check out the Yakuza. I swear Sega wouldn’t pay me to write any of this… Please, they have my family, and they forced me to write this article about the Yakuza series. Someone send help! I’m trapped! Oh, they’re here. Be cool … And that’s why my New Year’s Resolution is to play more games in Sega’s blockbuster action/RPG series Yakuza.
