This is a game from a series that needed to be shook up. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life was not necessarily a bad game, but probably worst or second worst in the main series. It wrapped up the story as best it could, which wasn't that bad, and put our characters to rest.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon had to create a new experience with new characters, none of the old ones to prop it up. They went big, bold, and original. It has paid off in all the best ways.

The first game in the series to be turn-based, the biggest and first major change of note. You don't get to go out and pound hordes of enemies with previous skill. You need strategy now. They worked this turn-based style into the main character Ichiban Kasaga.

Speaking on Ichiban, he is a wonderfully written, developed, and likable character. If anyone could be an heir to the Yakuza name, it would be Ichiban. He goes through his story with all his heart and makes a new thing a good thing.

The battle system is well developed and thought out. It has lots of little things here and there that make it something you can learn something new in every day. All of your party members are unique people and can all be utilized in one way or another.

The side games are new and fresh. You can go play Mario Kart, fill out your Pokedex, run a million dollar business, develop bonds with your friends, fight in battle towers an dungeons, and collect cans in a Monkey-Ball like way. All the classics are here as well: golf, baseball, darts, karaoke, gambling, arcades, and more.

The music is also unlike previous games. They mix in new elements of electronic instruments while keeping and expanding upon their traditional instrument orchestra. The music always fits the events happening and adds to the emotion.

Your enemies and other forces are real, understandable people. They have motives, ideas, and schemes that are plausible and make sense for the person they are. The conflict is real and has high tension. The plot is properly paced and develops the characters as people, as well as the world it takes place in. From start to finish, this story is something that will keep you interested and invested in.

Overall, whether a new player or longtime fan of the series, you will find many things to like in this game. You probably should play the previous games (0, 1, and 2 at a minimum), but if you are new it is still something you can thoroughly. This silly, serious, exciting, somber, explosion of all-around developmental talent is well worth a shot. I eagerly await the next installment of the Yakuza series, whatever form that may take.

This is a game from a series that needed to be shook up. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life was not necessarily a bad game, but probably worst or second worst in the main series. It wrapped up the story as best it could, which wasn't that bad, and put our characters to rest. Yakuza: Like a Dragon had to create a new experience with new characters, none of the old ones to prop it up. They went big, bold, and original. It has paid off in all the best ways. The first game in the series to be turn-based, the biggest and first major change of note. You don't get to go out and pound hordes of enemies with previous skill. You need strategy now. They worked this turn-based style into the main character Ichiban Kasaga. Speaking on Ichiban, he is a wonderfully written, developed, and likable character. If anyone could be an heir to the Yakuza name, it would be Ichiban. He goes through his story with all his heart and makes a new thing a good thing. The battle system is well developed and thought out. It has lots of little things here and there that make it something you can learn something new in every day. All of your party members are unique people and can all be utilized in one way or another. The side games are new and fresh. You can go play Mario Kart, fill out your Pokedex, run a million dollar business, develop bonds with your friends, fight in battle towers an dungeons, and collect cans in a Monkey-Ball like way. All the classics are here as well: golf, baseball, darts, karaoke, gambling, arcades, and more. The music is also unlike previous games. They mix in new elements of electronic instruments while keeping and expanding upon their traditional instrument orchestra. The music always fits the events happening and adds to the emotion. Your enemies and other forces are real, understandable people. They have motives, ideas, and schemes that are plausible and make sense for the person they are. The conflict is real and has high tension. The plot is properly paced and develops the characters as people, as well as the world it takes place in. From start to finish, this story is something that will keep you interested and invested in. Overall, whether a new player or longtime fan of the series, you will find many things to like in this game. You probably should play the previous games (0, 1, and 2 at a minimum), but if you are new it is still something you can thoroughly. This silly, serious, exciting, somber, explosion of all-around developmental talent is well worth a shot. I eagerly await the next installment of the Yakuza series, whatever form that may take.