I liked it. But it has some weak or rough spots. Firstly, the bad: - The camera sucks. On the default setting it just doesn't orient itself correctly in most situations. If you set it to manual it's functional but it's still oversensitive to obstacles and zooms in and out way too aggressively. If I were the type of person to get motion sick I'd be playing this in a puddle of my own puke. Setting it to manual makes the game playable but having to deliberately reorient the camera when you're cornered is a disadvantage in combat. It's been a while since I marathoned the rest of the series but I can't remember the camera being a thing I ever even noticed before. - It's been commented on by others but the DLC model is cancer and Sega seems hellbent on squandering their reputation more with every release they make. It's all ignorable though and the game plays fine without any of it. - The combat is pretty middling. Basically, Brawler is useless outside of a few mandatory fights, Gunman s...

This game was locked in Japan since 2014 and it shows. Do not be fooled by this game's "2023" launch. This game is a dinosaur. This game feels 9 years out of date because it is and it has the audacity to charge double the amount that Kiwami 1 and 2 did at launch and even triple what Yakuza zero did at launch. If this game is on sale for 20 bucks, go for it. The story is worth it. But I refuse to believe this game was "rebuilt from the ground up" At best they gave it a graphical touch up and did nothing else cause this game feels like the dinosaur it is. A great story will only carry you so far if the gameplay feels inferior to "previous titles" in the series. I have never ever tried refunded a Yakuza game before today. I even got this game on sale too. But this game's geriatric gameplay just made it impossible for me to strap in for another one. If this game feels like Kiwami 2 then okay. Sure. But no. It doesn't feel good to play and it only broke me after less than an hour of ga...

Might be blasphemous but I like this better than Yakuza 0 which is held on a pedestal by the fanbase. The game has a really nice feedback loop of doing sub stories, messing around with activities in your home, earning virtue, doing battle dungeons, fighting in arena, and doing the main story. It also has a story that is actually followable which I didn't thought was allowed in Yakuza/Like a Dragon games.

[h1]⚔️ [i]Like a Dragon: Ishin![/i] - Revolutionizing Samurai Style[/h1] [b]What I Played:[/b] Armed with a katana, I delved into the historical chaos of Bakumatsu-era Kyoto, embodying the legendary Sakamoto Ryoma, mixing politics and swordplay. [b]The Good:[/b] [list] [*] [b]Fresh Setting and story Twist:[/b] The game's narrative takes a detour into a turbulent period with engaging melodrama and political turmoil. [*] [b]Mashup of Old and New:[/b] Familiar Yakuza series characters get a samurai makeover, adding an exciting twist to the gameplay experience. [/list] [b]The Bad:[/b] [list] [*] [b]Pacing Issues:[/b] Some sections drag a bit, impacting the otherwise gripping momentum. [*] [b]Occasional Glitches:[/b] Ran into a few bugs that momentarily disrupted the immersion. [/list] [b]Verdict:[/b] [b]Recommended[/b] - A bold departure from the usual Yakuza formula, delivering a refreshing take that manages to captivate with its blend of historical drama and intense combat.

Lots of dialogue not much action. Not my thing.

Like a Dragon: Ishin is a quite engaging experience that pulls you into its rich historical setting from the very start. The movement and action are particularly good, with smooth controls and satisfying combat that blends swordplay, gunplay, and martial arts seamlessly. The story is also very good, mixing political intrigue, personal drama, and the signature Yakuza-style humor into a memorable narrative. Whether you’re battling through intense fights or exploring the vibrant streets, the game keeps you invested all the way through.

This is a recommend in the Yakuza franchise but with a bit of a caveat..you can't treat this title like any of the mainlines/LADs/Judgement. Setting is of course different but the way the story, side quests and activities are laid out is much more of a life-sim approach. The game expects you to walk around, interact with vendors, build relationships, etc to progress stories. You can do things to alleviate the time in-between waiting (pray at a statue, eat at a restaurant, interact with a shop vendor with a full inventory) and in some scenarios it will allow you to continue your activity progress. I will say, I have been very pleasantly surprised with the social bond system. Most of the sub-stories attributed have been your typical RGG fun/silly writing. I'm still in the early parts of the MQ but have to give this game alot of credit, almost every corner you turn there is something to do/interact/start.

Samurai Simulator

I bought this game to experience the tragic tale of honor, loyalty, and samurai drama. Instead, I spent 6 hours singing karaoke, farming daikon radishes, and getting repeatedly drop-kicked by a chicken. Truly the most accurate samurai simulator. 10/10 majima looks sick in this too!

probably my favourite yakuza series game