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[Tizoc]

Among the first PS3 games I had bought, this one I liked the most at the time, though I can't remember WHAT inticed me to buy it XP.

My first Yakuza game and it introduced me to the manliness that is Kiryu Kazuma. I loved the beat'em-up style combat and the Heat moves, and the humor was top notch. Characters were kickass too namely Majima Goro & Rikiya. I personally liked how Kiryu was like a father and ran an orphanage.

As I understand many were displeased with the cuts made to the game, but personally? It NEVER deterred me from enjoying it.

This game gave me the feels too GAF, the feels, the broness, the manliness, the kickass combat, THE MANLY KARAOKE and wacky Japanese humor.

All Y3 Heat moves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nJVVhDVMgk
Japanese Intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkiM8YLeGTk
Kamurocho Lullby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey6BMhyw6q4

 

[duckroll]

The first next-gen looking game? What? I bought Ryu ga Gotoku 3 and I never really played it much. It's still collecting dust to this day because I couldn't get over how last-gen it looked. I played Ryu ga Gotoku and Ryu ga Gotoku 2 on the PS2, and then Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan on the PS3, which looked way better. Then I put in Ryu ga Gotoku 3 and it was like playing an upscaled Ryu ga Gotoku 2 on a PS3. Really bummed me out, plus I was getting pretty burnt out on the series by then, since it was the same stuff over and over every year.

Haven't bought or played a Ryu ga Gotoku game since.

 

[Zafir]

At least for me, I didn't mind the cuts too much when I first played it, because I didn't really know what was missing. However, on playing Yakuza 4 which had the side content still intact, it just made me realise how much was missing. It just added a bit more life to the city.

That said, I still did really enjoy Yakuza 3, in fact I ended up liking Okinawa more than Kamurocho.

Makes me sad 5 probably won't get translated, so I'll have to use a translation guide. D:

The first next-gen looking game? What? I bought Ryu ga Gotoku 3 and I never really played it much. It's still collecting dust to this day because I couldn't get over how last-gen it looked. I played Ryu ga Gotoku and Ryu ga Gotoku 2 on the PS2, and then Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan on the PS3, which looked way better. Then I put in Ryu ga Gotoku 3 and it was like playing an upscaled Ryu ga Gotoku 2 on a PS3. Really bummed me out, plus I was getting pretty burnt out on the series by then, since it was the same stuff over and over every year.

Haven't bought or played a Ryu ga Gotoku game since.

Yeah, I mean I wouldn't go so far to say it looked last gen, but it really didn't use the PS3's architecture to it's full potential. It didn't bother me enough to not play it, mind.

 

[LiK]

Great game and very atmospheric. I loved just walking around the world. The story with the kids was really cute. Felt more like a slice of life TV show which was refreshing.

The cuts didn't bother me but that was quite a shame.

 

[vocab]

I beat 1 2 and 3 and struggling with 4. I'm just burned out after 3 games. I have dead souls and kinda want to just play that for something different.

 

[Tizoc]

The first next-gen looking game? What? I bought Ryu ga Gotoku 3 and I never really played it much. It's still collecting dust to this day because I couldn't get over how last-gen it looked. I played Ryu ga Gotoku and Ryu ga Gotoku 2 on the PS2, and then Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan on the PS3, which looked way better. Then I put in Ryu ga Gotoku 3 and it was like playing an upscaled Ryu ga Gotoku 2 on a PS3. Really bummed me out, plus I was getting pretty burnt out on the series by then, since it was the same stuff over and over every year.

Haven't bought or played a Ryu ga Gotoku game since.

Well to be precise, it was the cutscene character models, they looked really life-like, and they impressed me more than what I saw in the few PS3 games I had played.
Let me fix my post.

 

[Sophia]

Yakuza 3 was the game that really made me appreciate the music the series had. That final battle theme!

The first next-gen looking game? What? I bought Ryu ga Gotoku 3 and I never really played it much. It's still collecting dust to this day because I couldn't get over how last-gen it looked. I played Ryu ga Gotoku and Ryu ga Gotoku 2 on the PS2, and then Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan on the PS3, which looked way better. Then I put in Ryu ga Gotoku 3 and it was like playing an upscaled Ryu ga Gotoku 2 on a PS3. Really bummed me out, plus I was getting pretty burnt out on the series by then, since it was the same stuff over and over every year.

Haven't bought or played a Ryu ga Gotoku game since.

I think your memory of the games might be a little... vague. While I don't agree with the OP's opinion of it being the first true next gen game, Yakuza 3 was a pretty significant leap over the 2nd installment. Especially in cutscene portions.

 

[Plasma]

I still haven't finished 3, it just didn't hook me in like the first two games.

 

[LiK]

Well to be precise, it was the cutscene character models, they looked really life-like, and they impressed me more than what I saw in the few PS3 games I had played.
Let me fix my post.

This is true. The cutscenes were super well done.

 

[duckroll]

Yeah, I mean I wouldn't go so far to say it looked last gen, but it really didn't use the PS3's architecture to it's full potential. It didn't bother me enough to not play it, mind.

What I heard is that the game looks much better past the prologue stuff which was really lazy. It just made such a bad impression on me, plus the burn out I guess. I love the series, and still have fond memories of the first 3 games I played, but I just can't get excited anymore. When I pick up a PS4, I might get Ishin though.

Well to be precise, it was the cutscene character models, they looked really life-like, and they impressed me more than what I saw in the few PS3 games I had played.
Let me fix my post.

Yeah I think the cutscenes in the series have always been amazing, especially the way they are directed. It's probably a stronger impact if it's your first game in the series too.

 

[LiK]

What I heard is that the game looks much better past the prologue stuff which was really lazy. It just made such a bad impression on me, plus the burn out I guess. I love the series, and still have fond memories of the first 3 games I played, but I just can't get excited anymore. When I pick up a PS4, I might get Ishin though.

Didn't play Y4? My fave in the series. Playing 4 different dudes was interesting. Great story too.

 

[Sage00]

It's a shame the entire first half of that game was ruined with awful the orphanage plot. Plus Okinawa was a tiny ghost town, even in the original Japanese version. Felt like an unfinished game.

The first next-gen looking game? What? I bought Ryu ga Gotoku 3 and I never really played it much. It's still collecting dust to this day because I couldn't get over how last-gen it looked. I played Ryu ga Gotoku and Ryu ga Gotoku 2 on the PS2, and then Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan on the PS3, which looked way better. Then I put in Ryu ga Gotoku 3 and it was like playing an upscaled Ryu ga Gotoku 2 on a PS3. Really bummed me out, plus I was getting pretty burnt out on the series by then, since it was the same stuff over and over every year.

Haven't bought or played a Ryu ga Gotoku game since.

4 is probably the best in the series (only rivalled by 2). You're really missing out.

 

[duckroll]

Didn't play Y4? My fave in the series. Playing 4 different dudes was interesting. Great story too.

Can't justify playing 4 when I own 3 and haven't played it yet. This is why ongoing series can be a bad thing!

 

[Sophia]

This is true. The cutscenes were super well done.

Yeah I think the cutscenes in the series have always been amazing, especially the way they are directed. It's probably a stronger impact if it's your first game in the series too.

They definitely do sacrifice visual quality in the gameplay portions. In that sense, I could see how Yakuza 3 is a bit underwhelming. Certainly not "last-gen" however.

Can't justify playing 4 when I own 3 and haven't played it yet. This is why ongoing series can be a bad thing!

You should do it, 4 is utterly amazing.

 

[LiK]

Can't justify playing 4 when I own 3 and haven't played it yet. This is why ongoing series can be a bad thing!

Time to start this year! ))))

 

[duckroll]

Don't really have any motivation. I always think of Ryu ga Gotoku as the series I loved years ago, and had two great PS2 games and a funky PS3 spinoff. Whenever I think of all the other stuff, I just lost all interest. I dunno why.

I do want to play Ishin though. Kenzan's combat was so much more fun!

 

[indigo-cyclops]

Yup, what a series. 3 was great, 4 was amazing. Nothing quite tops Yakuza for me.

 

[Arzehn]

The game starts off pretty slow. It's kind of unfortunate, I think... I thought about introducing the series to friends with Yakuza 3 (since it comes with the 1 & 2 recaps) but I doubt they would get past the whole orphanage beginning. Yes, it's about character building but even I felt it was tedious and I loved 1 & 2. I think a lot of people might have been put off by the start of the game, even though it gets really really good later. An example of this is the Giant Bomb quick look and the comments that followed.

 

[Sophia]

Don't really have any motivation. I always think of Ryu ga Gotoku as the series I loved years ago, and had two great PS2 games and a funky PS3 spinoff. Whenever I think of all the other stuff, I just lost all interest. I dunno why.

I do want to play Ishin though. Kenzan's combat was so much more fun!

Have you tried the Ishin demo yet? It's so much fun. Some really funny optional quests in it too. I'm hoping for an English release because I had trouble following the dialogue when I played it. Otherwise I'd just import. >.<

The game starts off pretty slow. It's kind of unfortunate, I think... I thought about introducing the series with Yakuza 3 (since it comes with the 1 & 2 recaps) to friends but I doubt they would get past the whole orphanage beginning. Yes, it's about character building but even I felt it was tedious and I loved 1 & 2. I think a lot of people might have been put off by the start of the game, even though it gets really really good later. An example of this is the Giant Bomb quick look and the comments that followed.

Yakuza 4 or Yakuza 2 are definitely better introductions for new people for this reason. The former starts off strong, unlike Yakuza 3.

 

[Immaculate]

i loved the little file collection thing in the menu too. if you hadn't played in a while you can just read up character info to get caught up again. so helpful

 

[LiK]

Have you tried the Ishin demo yet? It's so much fun. Some really funny optional quests in it too. I'm hoping for an English release because I had trouble following the dialogue when I played it. Otherwise I'd just import. >.<

I dont know any japanese but I imported every Yakuza game including Ishin just cuz I love the series so much. I'll probably play with a guide if SEGA really decides to not localize them.

I want Y5 really bad tho....

 

[duckroll]

Have you tried the Ishin demo yet? It's so much fun. Some really funny optional quests in it too. I'm hoping for an English release because I had trouble following the dialogue when I played it. Otherwise I'd just import. >.<

I haven't turned my PS3 on for over a month I think.

Been playing the 3DS mostly.

 

[Sophia]

I haven't turned my PS3 on for over a month I think.

Been playing the 3DS mostly.

Got a PS4? Demo's up on the Japanese PSN. That's what I played on, and the 60 frames per second was awesome.

 

[stn]

Great game, great franchise. Though 2 and 1 are still my favorite. Never got to play Kenzan or the spin-off they made for PSP.

 

[duckroll]

Got a PS4? Demo's up on the Japanese PSN. That's what I played on, and the 60 frames per second was awesome.

Nope, not planning on getting a PS4 anytime soon. Maybe when there are more interesting titles available. Ishin is definitely something I'm picking up when I get one though!

 

[kmax]

I have all the Yakuza games up until 4 (1, 2, Kenzan, 3, 4). I absolutely love the franchise, so it's a bit sad to see how terrible Sega has managed it. I actually imported 3, 4, and Kenzan as well, as it was never released over here. The first because of the cuts, and the second because I was impatient and was afraid that they might of cut the game down again. I agree that the game (3) looks terribly dated for a PS3 game. It hadn't the best story either (2's the best imo), but beyond all that, it felt like a breath of fresh air. Traveling between Okinawa and Tokyo, and exploring the city was very fun, if you disregard the brawler dudes that were all over the place (like every other Yakuza game). I loved the side activities as well. Karaoke, hostess bars, mini games, massage parlors and so on were all fun to try out.

It's too bad that Sega decided to cut so much from the game, since I'm absolutely certain that it would of been a much richer experience if the cut content were included. It's a great franchise, and deserves to be presented in its full glory.

 

[Jockel]

So if I never played a Yakuza game before and I lose interest quickly, what game should I try?

 

[LiK]

So if I never played a Yakuza game before and I lose interest quickly, what game should I try?

First game if you can. Foundation for the story and main characters. It's more of a modern era JRPG with brawler combat. It's not GTA.

The later games are better but I always recommend the first for the story aspect and world building.

 

[kazebyaka]

So if I never played a Yakuza game before and I lose interest quickly, what game should I try?

Just start with the third game, it does a good job on filling you in on the story before you start the game.

 

[Tizoc]

Pfft, I never bothered with the Hostess BS in Y4 so even if it was in Y3, I would've ignored it too.
The game was already a rich experience, and I personally feel like the mahjong, shogi and Hostess clubs stuff wouldn't have improved the game much for me.

Now that I think about it, the game has 1 1 thing that I totally dislike

Spoiler

if you do a post game playthrough to clean up on sub quests and the like Rikiya is alive. Why you gotta do that to me SEGA? WHY?!

 

[LiK]

Just start with the third game, it does a good job on filling you in on the story before you start the game.

The story recaps do a terrible job, IMO. It just shows the main stuff but ignores all/most side characters involved. If they were done better, I would recommend the sequels all the time for noobs.

 

[Zafir]

So if I never played a Yakuza game before and I lose interest quickly, what game should I try?

If you're fine with playing PS2 games, then naturally the first.

Otherwise, I'd say 4, far quicker to get going and show you what the game's are all about. It also still has all of the side activities intact, unlike 3.

 

[LiK]

If you're fine with playing PS2 games, then naturally the first.

Otherwise, I'd say 4, far quicker to get going and show you what the game's are all about. It also still has all of the side activities intact, unlike 3.

Yea, if you only play one, just go Y4. You can always go back to the older games if it sucks you in.

 

[Nibel]

Will play this when I'm done with 2

Dat wax look tho

 

[Atolm]

I thought it was the worst Yakuza yet. I didn't care about the orphanage stuff, and Kiryu's naiveté becomes really annoying, everyone takes advantage of him. The combat felt as clunky as always and the graphics were a blurry mess. As a result I still have my Yakuza 4 Kuro Edition sitting there, sealed. I LOVED Ishin demo for the PS4, though.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

Story spoiler

Spoiler

jikshou RIKIIYAAAAA!

never has a game made me such emotion. FEELS.

 

[Tizoc]

Story spoiler

Spoiler

jikshou RIKIIYAAAAA!

never has a game made me such emotion. FEELS.

I know man, I know, I was gonna cry ;.;

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

I know man, I know, I was gonna cry ;.;

The music that kicks in too..

Fuck. So.amazing.

 

[Dantis]

3 is my favourite one in the series, by far. Fly is the best song, and Loser is pretty good too. Really great story and cutscenes as well.

Never cared about any of the cut content, personally. I have little interest in playing Mahjong.

Have you tried the Ishin demo yet? It's so much fun. Some really funny optional quests in it too. I'm hoping for an English release because I had trouble following the dialogue when I played it. Otherwise I'd just import. >.<

I had forgotten about the Ishin demo. I should download it.

 

[LiK]

Story spoiler

Spoiler

jikshou RIKIIYAAAAA!

never has a game made me such emotion. FEELS.

I know man, I know, I was gonna cry ;.;

Man, that scene was so good.

 

[Robert J. Sullivan]

I'm french so I don't know much about english voices but

Spoiler

wasn't the voice of the hitman (the dude with the guns and stuff) super cheesy if you were a native english speaker ? It reminded me of the voice actors of my english classes' tapes.

 

[Dantis]

I'm french so I don't know much about english voices but

Spoiler

wasn't the voice of the hitman (the dude with the guns and stuff) super cheesy if you were a native english speaker ? It reminded me of the voice actors of my english classes' tapes.

It was absolutely, thoroughly terrible.

 

[LiK]

I'm french so I don't know much about english voices but

Spoiler

wasn't the voice of the hitman (the dude with the guns and stuff) super cheesy if you were a native english speaker ? It reminded me of the voice actors of my english classes' tapes.

They were all bad.

 

[Shengar]

Damnit, this remind to finish my playthrough.
I remember getting stuck at later chapter because I can't trigger the last photo event
Anyone know how to trigger it?

 

[Fjordson]

Incredible game. Couldn't get into the first Yakuza way back when it came out, but I decided to give 3 a shot last year and am really glad I did. 3 and 4 are both classics in my opinion. But no localized Yakuza 5 still hurts =[

And the cut content didn't bother me either, probably wouldn't have touched it much anyway. Though I understand why others were upset.

edit: also, not localization for Yakuza Ishin is a bummer as well. Game looks awesome.

 

[Xux]

The Two Best Friends Play Yakuza 4 thing made me super interested in this series. I initially dismissed it as a Japanese themed GTA but, now that I've actually seen some of the games, I might track some down soon.

 

[Gentle Rodriguez]

The Two Best Friends Play Yakuza 4 thing made me super interested in this series. I initially dismissed it as a Japanese themed GTA but, now that I've actually seen some of the games, I might track some down soon.

Yup, same here. So much stupid Japanese bullshit and some really weirdly in depth side quests got me interested to try it. Too bad there's no PAL collection or anything.

 

[GamerJM]

Recently got this game a few months ago and played through it. Pretty great, and I don't normally like GTA-style games. If anything it's proof that my gaming sensibilities line up with that of a lot of Japanese gamers since apparently most of the changes it made were in reaction to what most Japanese gamers didn't like about Sandbox games, and the game fixes most of what I don't like about the genre. Great combat too, and I absolutely love the variety though the pacing can be a bit janky. Story is alright, didn't really fall in love with it though.

I have Yakuza 4 but it's still in shrink wrap.

 

[May16]

Loved this game. Yakuza is where I go for my Shenmue vibe.
I get that it doesn't look as hawt as other PS3 games, but I never found the visuals bothering me at all. Those are some complaints that surprise me every time. Oh well, I had a great time with it.

 

[Prelude.]

The Two Best Friends Play Yakuza 4 thing made me super interested in this series. I initially dismissed it as a Japanese themed GTA but, now that I've actually seen some of the games, I might track some down soon.

Pat's secret plan is working.