Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (Yakuza, Judgment, Binary Domain + more!) Discussion Thread

[Dreed]

Are these guys ever gonna do something else than Like a Dragon again? Binary Domain needs a sequel.

They are currently developing a new Super Monkey Ball

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Monkey_Ball_Banana_Rumble

 

[Optimist]

I finished Like a Dragon this week - the game was cool, I had fun and liked some ideas (especially characters moving around and interacting with environment during battles), but ultimately felt like the jRPG structure wasn't as fun to play as the beat em ups. I'm a relatively new joiner, popped my cherry with Zero, followed up with Ishin! (which, I think, I liked the most across these three games) and am wondering what to pick up next. Since there's quite a backlog, and I don't have as much time as I'd like, playing remakes according to release order might be difficult for me. What is the KKK on the best installments?

 

[Grampy_Bone]

best installments?

Kiwami 1 is still my favorite (remake of the original). It has a more refined version of the style switching from Zero, still the best single story in the series, and pleasantly challenging. Kiwami 2 was too easy, and Y5 was too slow paced (but it has 5 playable characters), and the original ps2 games are really clunky. Y6 I enjoyed purely for the 'Dad' aspects but it's also way too easy.

 

[Nortar]

I finished Like a Dragon this week - the game was cool, I had fun and liked some ideas (especially characters moving around and interacting with environment during battles), but ultimately felt like the jRPG structure wasn't as fun to play as the beat em ups. I'm a relatively new joiner, popped my cherry with Zero, followed up with Ishin! (which, I think, I liked the most across these three games) and am wondering what to pick up next. Since there's quite a backlog, and I don't have as much time as I'd like, playing remakes according to release order might be difficult for me. What is the KKK on the best installments?

If it's all the same to you, try Judgment.
There's a new protagonist, but the gameplay loop is pretty much the same and it takes place in Kamurocho.
What makes it stand apart is a decent plot. One of the best in all Yakuzas in my opinion.

 

[Abu Antar]

https://www.gematsu.com/2024/05/like-a-dragon-new-title-minato-girls-audition-applications-opened

I wonder if they'll go major game or minor game.

 

[taxalot]

We're probably in for a couple of minor games before the next major one.
Kiwami 3 is being rumoured.

 

[Caim]

We're probably in for a couple of minor games before the next major one.
Kiwami 3 is being rumoured.

How far will they take the Kiwami games? 5? 6? 0? Kiwami 7 except it plays like the previous games? Or will we finally get Kiwami Kiwami 1?

 

[Modron]

How far will they take the Kiwami games? 5? 6? 0? Kiwami 7 except it plays like the previous games? Or will we finally get Kiwami Kiwami 1?

4-5 are sufficiently graphically advanced enough. 3 would probably be the limit (not counting off mainline stuff ripe for a numake like Kenzan).

 

[Abu Antar]

I'm thinking more Gaiden style games.

With that said, I booted it up, and have four hours clocked. It's paced like the PS2 games.

The agent fighting style is okay, but I haven't unlocket enough.

There have been a couple of fun fights early on, but I'd rather have real exp. than using money to buy skill manuals.

I'd buy more games from the series in this style, if they sell them for $30-$40.

With rumors swirling that this is one of the IPs they want to release games for annually, it would make the most sense that we get a mix of small/large games.

I'm a sucker, and would immediately buy an Akiyama game.

 

[Modron]

I wouldn't object to them giving the psp ones a kiwami version.

 

[taxalot]

Jugement 3 would be nice too.

 

[n0wh3r3]

best installments?

Kiwami 1 is still my favorite (remake of the original). It has a more refined version of the style switching from Zero, still the best single story in the series, and pleasantly challenging. Kiwami 2 was too easy, and Y5 was too slow paced (but it has 5 playable characters), and the original ps2 games are really clunky. Y6 I enjoyed purely for the 'Dad' aspects but it's also way too easy.

Is there any Yakuza game that isn't easy? Most entries are mindless button smashing. Until 0. Combat is the least fun part in Yakuza games.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

Most entries are mindless button smashing.

3 isn't. Crom on his mountain it absolutely isn't.

 

[Cologno]

best installments?

Kiwami 1 is still my favorite (remake of the original). It has a more refined version of the style switching from Zero, still the best single story in the series, and pleasantly challenging. Kiwami 2 was too easy, and Y5 was too slow paced (but it has 5 playable characters), and the original ps2 games are really clunky. Y6 I enjoyed purely for the 'Dad' aspects but it's also way too easy.

Is there any Yakuza game that isn't easy? Most entries are mindless button smashing. Until 0. Combat is the least fun part in Yakuza games.

Yeah, no, because...you know what? It's not even that you're wrong, it's like when one of my kids say "ice cream is like the stars!" Nonsensicle like. Quit talking out your butt, kid.

 

[Grampy_Bone]

Combat is the least fun part in Yakuza games.

Storyfag, BEGONE

 

[n0wh3r3]

best installments?

Kiwami 1 is still my favorite (remake of the original). It has a more refined version of the style switching from Zero, still the best single story in the series, and pleasantly challenging. Kiwami 2 was too easy, and Y5 was too slow paced (but it has 5 playable characters), and the original ps2 games are really clunky. Y6 I enjoyed purely for the 'Dad' aspects but it's also way too easy.

Is there any Yakuza game that isn't easy? Most entries are mindless button smashing. Until 0. Combat is the least fun part in Yakuza games.

Yeah, no, because...you know what? It's not even that you're wrong, it's like when one of my kids say "ice cream is like the stars!" Nonsensicle like. Quit talking out your butt, kid.

You are wrong.

 

[Maxie]

best installments?

Kiwami 1 is still my favorite (remake of the original). It has a more refined version of the style switching from Zero, still the best single story in the series, and pleasantly challenging. Kiwami 2 was too easy, and Y5 was too slow paced (but it has 5 playable characters), and the original ps2 games are really clunky. Y6 I enjoyed purely for the 'Dad' aspects but it's also way too easy.

Is there any Yakuza game that isn't easy? Most entries are mindless button smashing. Until 0. Combat is the least fun part in Yakuza games.

Yeah, no, because...you know what? It's not even that you're wrong, it's like when one of my kids say "ice cream is like the stars!" Nonsensicle like. Quit talking out your butt, kid.

You are wrong.

Wrong how

 

[Abu Antar]

13 hours in Gaiden. Still chapter 2, and I have done everything available to me at this point. Only Coliseum fights that I doubt I can currently win are left.

Some decent new characters, but the main story itself is whatever, so far. Still, Kiryu is still best main protag in the series, stupidity, and all.

 

[Tuco Benedicto Pacifico]

I gave a try to Yakuza 7/like a dragon... the one that introduced the turn-based combat, to be clear.

Few points:
- I liked the story and the characters... Sort of.
- I GENUINELY didn't like the gameplay and pacing. In the first few hours I stuck with it, the game has been an uninterrupted sequence of incredibly boring random combats repeated over and over, alternated with fucking interminable cutscenes going on for minutes and minutes each.
- I was basically forcing myself to play it and not drop it because "at some point maybe it will click for me" and then I got in chapter 4 where the game keeps crashing over and over during the "Meet the Seiryu Chairman" ambush sequence-pseudo-dungeon.
After the first couple of crashes I said "Well, I'll have just to abuse the save and bruteforce my way through it" but what do I know? Someone who designed this part thought it would be really, really hardcore if the player was forced to get through its entirety in one go. Too bad they didn't take software stability into account so after seven or eight attempts all ended with crash to desktop I think I'm figuratively throwing this into the trash bin and forgetting about it.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

I gave a try to Yakuza 7/like a dragon... the one that introduced the turn-based combat, to be clear.

Few points:
- I liked the story and the characters... Sort of.
- I GENUINELY didn't like the gameplay and pacing. In the first few hours I stuck with it, the game has been an uninterrupted sequence of incredibly boring random combats repeated over and over, alternated with fucking interminable cutscenes going on for minutes and minutes each.
- I was basically forcing myself to play it and not drop it because "at some point maybe it will click for me" and then I got in chapter 4 where the game keeps crashing over and over during the "Meet the Seiryu Chairman" ambush sequence-pseudo-dungeon.
After the first couple of crashes I said "Well, I'll have just to abuse the save and bruteforce my way through it" but what do I know? Someone who designed this part thought it would be really, really hardcore if the player was forced to get through its entirety in one go. Too bad they didn't take software stability into account so after seven or eight attempts all ended with crash to desktop I think I'm figuratively throwing this into the trash bin and forgetting about it.

What are you running it on? You're probably the first dude I hear talking of crashes.

 

[Tuco Benedicto Pacifico]

What are you running it on? You're probably the first dude I hear talking of crashes.

RYZEN 5800x, RTX 3080Ti, 32 GB of RAM and a NVMe.
I'd say I'm abundantly above minimum requirements and with nothing particularly exotic or unusual.

Also, I've spotted other people on Steam complaining about how this game crashes a lot. Everyone of them get told they are an isolated case, incidentally.

 

[Grunker]

I gave a try to Yakuza 7/like a dragon... the one that introduced the turn-based combat, to be clear.

Few points:
- I liked the story and the characters... Sort of.
- I GENUINELY didn't like the gameplay and pacing. In the first few hours I stuck with it, the game has been an uninterrupted sequence of incredibly boring random combats repeated over and over, alternated with fucking interminable cutscenes going on for minutes and minutes each.
- I was basically forcing myself to play it and not drop it because "at some point maybe it will click for me" and then I got in chapter 4 where the game keeps crashing over and over during the "Meet the Seiryu Chairman" ambush sequence-pseudo-dungeon.
After the first couple of crashes I said "Well, I'll have just to abuse the save and bruteforce my way through it" but what do I know? Someone who designed this part thought it would be really, really hardcore if the player was forced to get through its entirety in one go. Too bad they didn't take software stability into account so after seven or eight attempts all ended with crash to desktop I think I'm figuratively throwing this into the trash bin and forgetting about it.

I'm almost finished with 0 and honestly I have the exact same sentiment as you. The story is often hilarious and sometimes even sublimely dramatic and well-directed during key moments, but in the end, the gameplay is so fucking ass it's hard not to feel like I'm booting it up out of sheer desire to finish it rather than enjoyment.

Haven't had any tecnical issues, but can definitely vibe with that feeling of forcing myself to play it.

 

[cruel]

I'm back to playing this (Infinite Wealth), but I'm not sure if I will be able to do so - FF VII Rebirth, even with its issues, looks like a masterpiece compared to that. Chapter 8, the game is already boring and poorly paced, but now they decide that one of your protagonists wants to reminisce his past - 90 freaking map markers to visit. 90. Why? Why they do that? Do people actually enjoy that, running around two maps like a headless chicken and clicking things to collect / view / whatever? Such a waste of time, I hate this modern trend in gaming.

Is there ANYTHING interesting happening after chapter 8 at all? Or I'm safe to drop this boring piece of shit and never touch it again? 8.5 user score on Metacritic, WTF is happening with this world.

 

[Deflowerer]

To be honest I never intentionally go my way to collect and experience stuff in a methodical manner in these games. I go from main plot point to main plot point, after each main plot destination do 1-2 side quests and all the extra stuff (minigames, wandering around) just happens naturally as I do this stuff. Also rarely heal with items and get all my health back up through restaurants. So it doesn't bother me as much.

But I am on Chapter 8 as well and yes, game has some massive pacing issues. It's another case of Yakuza 5 except combat is shit because of how easy everything is on the normal difficulty.

Alas, I've been playing these games since 2005 so I gotta slurp it up.

 

[Ivan]

I love this series and look forward to buying Infinite Wealth during the summer sale. I hope it continues to deliver excellent music and hope there isn't too much recycling and plenty of new music to dig into.

Just sharing some of my favorite "silly" songs from the Yakuza games that make me laugh/smile:



Ono Michio song

instant feel good song: