Yakuza 5 is way too bloated and has a lot of stuff that just isn't very interesting. The story is pretty bad too. But the good stuff is some of the best in the series. I like the Fukuoka and Osaka sections the best. Honestly, I think the game would be better if it were more focused, the Osaka section in particular could be expanded into a full game imo.
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Yakuza Community Thread - FEEL THE HEAT!
- Thread starter cj_iwakura
- Start date
They aren't and 6 in particular probably has the least content in the series since 2 or so I hear.
0 is perfectly paced for the most part.
Y0 is a bit frontloaded with substories, but getting through the story never feels like a chore. Each chapter is pretty well paced, and pretty short in general.
Fukouka is the only town that I enjoyed, but maybe that has to be because it was the city where the part of kiryu took place.
I hated hokkaido since the invisible walls are terrible there, and overall the city felt like an afterthought in saejima campaign
And Osaka isn't that interesting for me either, maybe it has to do because you start with haruka there, and you can't access some places there, and by the time that akiyama appears you really want to move on quick. Also I hated how most of the time I always ended in the north of the city when the sidequest started at the south
I hated hokkaido since the invisible walls are terrible there, and overall the city felt like an afterthought in saejima campaign
And Osaka isn't that interesting for me either, maybe it has to do because you start with haruka there, and you can't access some places there, and by the time that akiyama appears you really want to move on quick. Also I hated how most of the time I always ended in the north of the city when the sidequest started at the south
0 is the opposite to 5 to all your concerns.
You probably still have 15 hours to go, if you can finish it but def play 0.
Shadowman16
Member
Kind of. Its the second game in a series where they continually expanded on the concept and content as they went. There isn't much of a completion list to speak of, there are only a couple of mini games etc. Basically unless your aiming to fight Amon (which still requires you to do a shit ton of things to unlock his side stories) you'll probably breeze through the game fairly quickly.
Tribes of Trusty
Member
Got Yakuza 4, 5 and planning to get Zero then Kiwami
Is playing them in that order the optimal way ? (I liked 1, played 2 but didn't beat it, LOVED 3). Thanks
Is playing them in that order the optimal way ? (I liked 1, played 2 but didn't beat it, LOVED 3). Thanks
lucebuce12
Member
This should be illegal.
Regarding your question, depends on how much fatigue is a factor for you. If it's not even something to consider (like it was for me) then just play in release order which is Y4 -> Y5 -> Y0 -> Y:Kiwami
If fatigue IS a factor for you, then Y4 -> Y0 -> Y:Kiwami -> Y5 in the downtime before Y6 comes out.
As someone who started playing them all in release order a couple months ago, I say it's definitely the best.
This series is so special in the way they show how characters come back and have grown between games, it's great. I've never felt so rewarded for playing a series from the start, it's hard to describe but it makes the experiences even more special than they already are.
This series is so special in the way they show how characters come back and have grown between games, it's great. I've never felt so rewarded for playing a series from the start, it's hard to describe but it makes the experiences even more special than they already are.
SomewhatGroovy
Banned
I got to chp 5 (or 6?) and had to put it down. I'm not sure what's bothering me about it. One thing that dumbstruck me is the whole 5 real estate boss sidequests which feels like a mobile game that has infiltrated the series. It wouldn't be so bad in and of itself if it didn't ask you to micromanage it a lot and tie it into the overall story. I haven't played since I got to this point a little over a month ago but am and will get around to it. That and I worry I've seen everything the game has to offer at this point, which to your point, is more of the same. Also think the game has lost a lot of humor. Even learning new moves in Y3 was fucking hilarious. Here, it is taken so seriously.
You know what I really love about the series? It's not even just the main characters that return, we see NPCs from previous games, sometimes absent for a game or two, make their return later on.
It's great, it definitely makes Kamurocho feel "alive" and probably the reason I never got bored of it. Instead of it just being the same local again and again, you see the passage of time, the characters and the city life develop over all over these games making it feel refreshing. Like a long running TV show set in the same town but the town slowly changes.
So I'll cry mad amount of tears at the end of 6 :,(
Yes! It's a fantastic aspect of these games. The way non-story relevant NPCs come back and remember you from past games is incredible, or how you see important characters growing up, rebuilding their lives of trying to realize their dreams through the games, it's a really weird feeling, but you form a connection with them. I mean for me seeing Haruka grow up to be a strong, responsible young woman, or see detective Date move on with his life slowly from Yakuza 1 to 5.
Hell, I got a bit teary eyed with Daigo during the Y5 prologue, the guy has grown up so much from Y2 and it feels natural. It feels weird that I feel proud of a fictional character.
Yeah that's exactly what it feels like. I feel like I've known these characters since forever and I'm very attached to them despite only getting into the series in march. Yakuza is amazing.
Hell, I got a bit teary eyed with Daigo during the Y5 prologue, the guy has grown up so much from Y2 and it feels natural. It feels weird that I feel proud of a fictional character.
Yeah that's exactly what it feels like. I feel like I've known these characters since forever and I'm very attached to them despite only getting into the series in march. Yakuza is amazing.
Shadowman16
Member
I agree about the great way how the series keeps bringing back NPC's to see their story continue to unravel. There is a great one that starts in Yakuza 0 and goes through both Kiwami and 6 as sort of a trilogy.
Yakuza 4 also did this well - when you played as Kiryu and had a load of characters from his past return for the side stories. Its one of the reasons why I enjoy the side stuff so much, they feel less like throwaway missions when they inject some personality into them.
Yakuza 4 also did this well - when you played as Kiryu and had a load of characters from his past return for the side stories. Its one of the reasons why I enjoy the side stuff so much, they feel less like throwaway missions when they inject some personality into them.
Yep I feel the same, if there is one series that has succeed with the passage of time, it's definitely Yakuza. It's strange for me because I picked up Yakuza back in 2006, so it's not just the series that's grown along the way but me too. It'll always have a special place in my heart.
Woah that's great to hear!
Actually I was worried that since people said 6 how lower sidestories count they were possibly going to sacrifice some of the personality with no returning NPCs. Are there more? It's one of my chief concerns with 6, as it's very much the end of Kiryu's legacy it'll be great to see the impact his had on some of these NPCs lives.
Shadowman16
Member
Eh, 6 does lack returning NPC's unfortunately. A few do return but not nearly enough for a finale... I'll only say that, when people play 6 they'll see what I mean. Its a pity as its one of the criticisms I have with an otherwise awesome game
But in other ways 6 still rocks with side stories, it has some of my favourites in the entire series. The addition of voice acting for all of the stories rocks. If they can up the animation for NPC's they'd be even better!
IrishNinja
Member
this is awesome, love when they do stuff like this
So I've been playing more Y5 and made it to the 4th chapter tonight. Chapter 3 was awesome from beginning to end and redeemed the game for me after how terrible Saejima's was. I love rhythm games and obviously like Haruka a lot so that was fun... Then Akiyama shows up and to my surprise his story didn't feel shoehorned at all, and his updated fighting style might be the most awesome in the series so far!
Now I'll be honest and say the setup was already solid enough so I felt like introducing a new character by now would be pointless, but... Tatsuo is a pretty cool guy and the premise to his story is very interesting. It's weird, it's cool enough that I feel like it's wasted being attached to the game, but I'm having fun playing it and I'm excited to see how it relates to the rest. It also makes me confident that they can make awesome new stories and characters post Y6.
So yeah if the game maintains this level of quality it'll probably be my new favorite once I'm done.
Now I'll be honest and say the setup was already solid enough so I felt like introducing a new character by now would be pointless, but... Tatsuo is a pretty cool guy and the premise to his story is very interesting. It's weird, it's cool enough that I feel like it's wasted being attached to the game, but I'm having fun playing it and I'm excited to see how it relates to the rest. It also makes me confident that they can make awesome new stories and characters post Y6.
So yeah if the game maintains this level of quality it'll probably be my new favorite once I'm done.
Shadowman16
Member
Shinada rocks in 5. His story gets better as the chapters go on and more is explained. His loan shark "friend" is my favourite support character in the game.
My only complaint with Haruka's chapter was the difficulty. The music stuff is just way too easy, wish it had a couple more difficulty levels to make it more challenging
My only complaint with Haruka's chapter was the difficulty. The music stuff is just way too easy, wish it had a couple more difficulty levels to make it more challenging
lucebuce12
Member
It was either Rymuth or IrishNinja who said that the Shinada's part in Yakuza 5 is pretty much the movie "
" and that is the most apt description I've ever heard for it.
It was a VERY well done story with awesome characters [
]. Only problem is how they tied it all to the finale.
Hot Fuzz
It was a VERY well done story with awesome characters [
Milky-chan!!
lucebuce12
Member
I did the same thing (like since last october), i got every Amon fight on every yakuza(not a true 100% but i saw nearly everything in each game), i'm having a blast. I can't wait to see how yakuza 5 will punch for linking previous entries, but so far i like the returning character for what happen to them (kazuma part was nice).
I'm on yakuza 5 so far, and the lack of challenge on hard mode of 4 and 5 start to really burn me, i remember at least boss fight were really challenging one some previous entries, have to use counter, strategies, but in y4 and y5, just attack usually work. Yakuza 3 was perfect in every single thing other then remove mini game on US version. But i think the biggest problem is the fact you always change character so, so you always get strong in no time, i don't feel like i'm become stronger over time. Also i don't feel the enemies variety of previous game. In 3 there were enemies with some different style that you had to adapt. Also the fact they were blocking all the time was nice, have to move behind, grab and counter all the time. Also make doing long combo with environment rewarding. I'm surprise they never decide to recreate that challenging and tense fight. ( i heard yakuza 0 was a little more challenging then 4-5, i heard legend mode is fun ).
A chance the story and mini game are fun, this clearly the element that drive me so far on yakuza 5, can't wait to see "final" on 6 !
Shadowman16
Member
So that Sega live stream last week that was supposed to have some Yakuza news, might have dropped a tiny hint as to the next game:
http://yakuzafan.com/yakuza-7-development-keyword-revealed-chinpira/
Basically the take away is that we'll hear something new about the Yakuza series at some point during the year (TGS seems like the safest bet) and that apparently the game might feature a younger character as the protagonist.
http://yakuzafan.com/yakuza-7-development-keyword-revealed-chinpira/
Basically the take away is that we'll hear something new about the Yakuza series at some point during the year (TGS seems like the safest bet) and that apparently the game might feature a younger character as the protagonist.
The misleading information in the previous entry and this, the site is trying to read too much of nothing.
Shadowman16
Member
Yeah, totally agree. After getting hyped for nothing over the whole announcement I'm no longer getting hyped until TGS since that's the most logical time when we would see anything Yakuza related. Still, with the English releases of Kiwami and 6 still to come I'm in no rush for another sequel.
Goddamn you guys.
I just finished Yakuza 5, and I'm a bit conflicted. In some aspects is by far the best of the ones I've played, but that Saejima part was terrible and mostly pointless, the story was too long for its own good... By the end I had forgotten half of the bad guys and whatnot the ties with each other were, and Tatsuo's story, while some of the best things in the game, felt shoehorned and it'd have been far better as its own game. Also the story got pretty stupid, convulted, and the final bad guy's identity made 0 sense and killed most of the excitement I should have had during the last fight.
But damn the game was fucking awesome either way. The actual content ignoring story bits and length was quality as hell, and I had a fantastic time playing this.
And holy hell I've gotten a bit teary eyed with most of these games, but Haruka's speech at the end made me cry like a little boy. I spent the majority of her story bits frustrated and mad that
, but all of it was worth it in the end. Man I love this series, it must suck to play this without having played at least two games before it because stuff like that would have 0 impact.
Now on to start Y0! I'm so excited.
I just finished Yakuza 5, and I'm a bit conflicted. In some aspects is by far the best of the ones I've played, but that Saejima part was terrible and mostly pointless, the story was too long for its own good... By the end I had forgotten half of the bad guys and whatnot the ties with each other were, and Tatsuo's story, while some of the best things in the game, felt shoehorned and it'd have been far better as its own game. Also the story got pretty stupid, convulted, and the final bad guy's identity made 0 sense and killed most of the excitement I should have had during the last fight.
But damn the game was fucking awesome either way. The actual content ignoring story bits and length was quality as hell, and I had a fantastic time playing this.
And holy hell I've gotten a bit teary eyed with most of these games, but Haruka's speech at the end made me cry like a little boy. I spent the majority of her story bits frustrated and mad that
she couldn't see Kazuma or even acknowledge his existence
Now on to start Y0! I'm so excited.
Shadowman16
Member
Glad you enjoyed the game
I felt the same way bar the Seijima section - I enjoyed it on the whole, I just feel condensing the jail bit to one chapter would have been for the better. The only thing the dreams served was to set up a couple of rather good side stories once you reach the city. I did love the villain in the prison section though not to mention the OTT sillyness when you do the sled race section > giant bare knuckle bear fight!The best part of the story for me was the strained relationship between Kiryu and Haruka with the rather bittersweet conclusion. Yakuza 6 follows on from this, so its good you managed to play through 5 in preparation.
TheRazielim
Member
Finally finished Yakuza 0. Boy, what a ride. Didn't think we'd get anything as good as Y2 again, but it truly delivered. My ranking as of now (although subject to change if I replay Y2 at some point, it's been years).
Y0 > Y2 > Y1 > Y4 > Y3 > Dead Souls > 5.
Y0 > Y2 > Y1 > Y4 > Y3 > Dead Souls > 5.
Yeah the game was a joy overall. Saejima's part makes me sad because I like him and it could have worked better, but getting him involved in yet another prison break was lame to me, and the not fun parts (prison and village) were so long that by the time I made it to the city I was long tired so I barely did any side quests (Santa killers though, haha).
Haruka and Kazuma though... Holy hell, it destroyed me, and I'm looking forward to being further destroyed with Y6. I only watched the localization reveal trailer and I'm already worried haha.
Also, shameless cross posting from the Y0 OT (where I guess I'll do most of my posting I guess, since I don't wanna bother you guys with too many impressions):
Haruka and Kazuma though... Holy hell, it destroyed me, and I'm looking forward to being further destroyed with Y6. I only watched the localization reveal trailer and I'm already worried haha.
Also, shameless cross posting from the Y0 OT (where I guess I'll do most of my posting I guess, since I don't wanna bother you guys with too many impressions):
lucebuce12
Member
So guys, Yakuza 0 is confirmed going on sale in the next week on US PSN. This is our opportunity to get the word out about this game and get more people into the series!
Shadowman16
Member
So soundtrack wise I've fallen into a bit of a Yakuza hole again, over the last couple of days I've ended up listening to the soundtracks of 3, 4 and Kiwami. 3 really does have an amazing soundtrack, while its not my favourite game gameplay wise, it might just be my favourite game soundtrack wise, I've lots count of the times I've listened to it.
4 I just love the remixes of the main theme used for the final boss themes (I believe). So nice...
Kiwami's is a bit odd. I'm not sure if I like some of the remixes compared to the original Yakuza 1 soundtrack. I mean, I still like the soundtrack, but kinda wish I had an optional to toggle between both soundtracks for various big fights (Shimano's mainly).
4 I just love the remixes of the main theme used for the final boss themes (I believe). So nice...
Kiwami's is a bit odd. I'm not sure if I like some of the remixes compared to the original Yakuza 1 soundtrack. I mean, I still like the soundtrack, but kinda wish I had an optional to toggle between both soundtracks for various big fights (Shimano's mainly).
Yakuza 3's soundtrack is so damn cool, and I think it fits the story parts just perfect. I know it's an odd choice, but I think it's my favorite game in the series along with 5 (befofe I finish 0 anyway).
Man, that opening track. I think there's an arrangement of it during the final battle too, but I can't figure out the name.
Kiwami, I've listened to a couple of the remixes and... It's kinda disappointing. Funk Goes On isn't bad but sounds "tamer" than the original, and the new Receive You is straight up terrible (speaking of which, every Majima battle remix of it in the series is absolute gold, and so are the names lol).
Man, that opening track. I think there's an arrangement of it during the final battle too, but I can't figure out the name.
Kiwami, I've listened to a couple of the remixes and... It's kinda disappointing. Funk Goes On isn't bad but sounds "tamer" than the original, and the new Receive You is straight up terrible (speaking of which, every Majima battle remix of it in the series is absolute gold, and so are the names lol).
Shadowman16
Member
Your thinking of "Fly". Its my second favourite final boss theme in the series (Ishin wins that one, its bloody epic).
And yeah, I love how Majima's tracks are all remixed/similarly named. Even Ishin and Kenzan manage to continue on with this tradition (Ishin also has an awesome remix of the Nishiki boss theme from Yakuza 1). I really love 4's Majima theme for some reason, not sure why it just really gets my blood pumping.
Yakuza 6 deserves a quick shout out in terms of soundtracks as well. Its got several really good boss themes for the main baddies as you would expect. Just don't youtube them yet less you want to spoil the final boss names! (I almost screwed myself over on this one, thankfully I misread the title!)
Grim Patron
Member
I'm nearing the end of Yakuza 0 (about 4-5 more chapters to go I think) and I continue to be really, really impressed by it. It seems like they learned all of the right lessons from 5 - the story is lean and character focused and chapters never drag on that much. And yeah, the maps are reused again, but the time period gives us a fresh take on these familiar places.
It's probably going end up being my 2nd favorite after 3 at this rate - and in many ways it's technically better than that game.
It's probably going end up being my 2nd favorite after 3 at this rate - and in many ways it's technically better than that game.
The next chapter!!!?
Shadowman16
Member
Yeah, I noticed that as well. Odd wording certainly
They better not be going back on the ending of 6, I had issues with the end boss but the final scene with Kiryu/Haruto was ace in my opinion. Let Kiryu live his life and give someone else their chance in the spotlight!
eyeball_kid
Member
Don't want to watch them for spoilers, but I was kind of disappointed Sony didn't feature Yakuza, even as part of the montage. Would've been a nice marketing boost. But they hardly had any Japanese games, so...
I'm seeing all these hype threads on the front page and I really couldn't care about any of them. E3 seems like a dud for people that like Japanese games (that aren't on the Switch). At least I have Yakuza 1 to look forward to.
Agreed, Sony seriously under-deliverd on their presentation and feels like they took E3 for granted, when you consider both Yakuza game and Gundam Versus as console exclusives and how short their presentation was compared to previous years, feels like they could have padded it up with these extra trailers,
E3 seems like a dud in general, not that I care too much about it since I'm mostly geared to Japanese games. Tokyo Game Show last year drew level with E3 for me and looks like this year they'll surpass it.
Or the translators know something we don't know. Maybe they know "the next chapter" is the best translation for 最終章 in Japanese version.
Ryu ga Gotoku 7; Suzuki san the taxi driver
Shadowman16
Member
Maybe its a spin off title? I'd buy it, I loved those sections in 5!
Bad news on the Yakuza PSP front:
Hopefully someone picks up the translation work soon as it'd be a shame to release it unfinished like that.
Aegehn said:
Hopefully someone picks up the translation work soon as it'd be a shame to release it unfinished like that.
Shadowman16
Member
Nice summaries on both games, plus I find it interesting how Yakuza 6 is talked about so positively, makes me wonder if most fans of the series will look past most of the omissions in the game and just enjoy it for the ace game it is (storyline wise though I'm expecting major split opinions though).
RiderKairuu
Member
Started my Yakuza 5 playthrough. Was going to hold out until closer to 6 release date but I couldn't wait, I'm thirsty as fuck for more Yakuza.
cj_iwakura
Member
I think the OT for 6 should be 'no, you can't start with this one'.