So, now that I've started Yakuza 6 I've mainly just done the demo area again, but since more mini games are unlocked I've managed to see more of what is on offer in the game besides the story...
First up is the arcade, an option that I loved in Yakuza 5 returns - difficulty levels. Different arcade cabs are set to different difficulties so if like me your not all that great at clearing Space Harrier on one credit, or you see the time out screen on Outrun too often, or you just want to practice your combos in Virtual Fighter 5 you now have easier difficulties to do just that. I've only really played around on VF5 at the moment, learning some really easy combos with Vanessa but I managed to spend an hour already on that alone, so I can already tell I won't be seeing the ending any time soon on this game.
Speaking of VF5 - anyone know if there is a way to switch the route in arcade mode? As from what I remember there is an A route and a B route so you don't always fight the same characters over and over...
Next up is Darts. They've changed the way it works and I'm not sure I approve... Gone is the old control scheme which was something I really liked - using the right analog stick to perfectly time your shot (when you get the sweet spot down you'll be getting 180's all the damn time!). Now you have a targeting crosshair and a power bar that is constantly filling/draining - press the button at the right time and you'll throw your dart exactly where your aiming. I think this makes it easier to get good scores, there is still skill/timing involved but I miss the feel that the old control system gave me, just made it feel more satisfying.
Rizap (the gym) is a fun little diversion - and I do like that they have you look supliment your training with a good diet - exploring Kamuracho in search of the right dish was a cool concept.
Lastly - the combat. I've been looking more into Kiryu's leveling up and what moves you get as you do so. Its certainly far more akin to pre Yakuza 0 design - with you earning XP points (though this time you get XP for pretty much doing anything) and then spend the points on upgrading either your base stats or choosing to unlock completely new moves or heat moves. So far my unlocks have been the normal base stuff - running kick, dodge attack etc. but I do appreciate now on the heat moves screen you get videos of the head moves being performed (makes it easier to figure out how to perform them along with seeing which ones actually look good in battle!)
And the combat I find is very satisfying early on - I unlocked the grab finisher for your combos (so instead of finishing combos with triangle, triangle you do triangle, circle) so you can chuck enemies into other enemies in flashy style. Usually this'd be something you'd unlock later, but I'm glad to have it unlocked now as enemies are that much more aggressive - they block more frequently, they grab/throw objects (like bikes) at you and also wield weapons like hammers and swords right from the get go.
And while its been shown off a lot, I'm still somewhat in awe of having more freedom in battles - fighting around the millennium tower feels like a true step up in the series - from new heat moves relating to stairs (pushing people down stairs/leaping at enemies from raised areas) to running into the millennium tower and throwing people down to the ground floor, then leaping off the guard rail following them. Its seamless and just feels badass. Trashing stores is hilarious as well. A fight of mine spilled over into Smile Burger, which resulted in chairs and tables being broken over goons heads and at least one goon was smashed through a window onto the streets! While I'm somewhat unsure over the changes of the combat vs 0's fighting styles, its hard not to love some of the changes that have come about due to the openness of the city now.
Random question, but does Y6 solve the weird "problem" where the cutscenes are pre-rendered and fully voiced before it awkwardly shifts to an in-game cutscene where it's just unvoiced text boxes?
I honestly have no idea if that was a technical limitation or if they were too "cheap" to have the actors fully voice the games.
The whole game seems fully voiced now, no text boxes in sight anymore. Even for side missions. Only awkward thing now is the animation for side mission characters and stories is nowhere near as good as major cutscenes, but I do appreciate the voice acting being added as it certainly helps certain side missions feel "better" (like the live chat dialog, that side mission really cracks me up).