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[Shadowman16]

Does Yakuza feel similarly to Sleeping Dogs? I really loved Sleeping Dogs, and Yakuza looks like the closest thing to it!

I just wonder if all of the games will get the KIWAMI touch. Is it possible that the feudal Japan Yakuza will come to the west in a KIWAMI version?

Somewhat similar on the surface. Both have hand to hand combat and environmental take down attacks but the combat feels very different. SD is basically Batman AA combat skinned onto a crime/GTA styled game while Yakuza feels more like a 3D version of Streets of Rage or River City Randsom (basically very fast paced arcadey combat more akin to 2D side scrolling games of old). If you enjoyed one you might well enjoy the other. Bare in mind though guns in Yakuza are exceedingly rare, included in just a few bosses and choice encounters, while the second half of SD was all about weapons (I seem to remember). Also you can't hijack cars in Yakuza, and the main play area is much smaller.

Yakuza is more of a RPG with an in depth fighting system, while SD is a open world GTA styled game with actual decent hand to hand combat (unlike the GTA series!). If you like crime stories then you'll probably still enjoy Yakuza, as its got a load of excellent stories to tell.

As for remasters - Kiwami style upgrades were done on 1 and 2 because they were originally PS2 games and were quite outdated compared to the newer games. So remakes were basically required! 3-5 would just need remasters for res and frame rate and some nicer textures, but nothing has been confirmed. Doubt they are coming soon either - The slate of Yakuza games (in Japan) go like this for the next year: Yakuza Kiwami 2 (Dec 2017), Fist of the North Star (Feb 2018), Yakuza Online (TBA 2018) and Shin Yakuza (next console Yakuza game, coming ???).
I also wouldn't count on either Ishin or Kenzan getting remastered. For starters Ishin is already on the PS4 and runs at 1080p/60FPS. Not really much scope for improvement on that! Kenzan could do with an upgrade in terms of res and frame rate, but not a whole lot else. Oh, and they aren't getting English releases. The boat for that possibility sailed a long time ago

 

[Ultimadrago]

Just got my first sewer Majima. The faint glow as he reaches out of the manhole is what makes it magical.

 

[Cess007]

Because your gun doesn't do nearly enough damage, the enemies are bullet sponges, a gun in a rail shooter shouldn't have kickback, and bullet time shouldn't slow you down, too.

After the third time I failed it I had to take a time out to go smoke and scream about how I felt like I was playing the most poorly designed sequence in modern gaming.

I beat the sequence on my first try. Dunno if something changes on Hard, but I'd no trouble one-shooting enemies (headshots?) and the only part that was a real challenge (due the camera) were the guys on the truck. I only had to use the bullet time twice there to hit the incoming missiles.

It's not as over-the-top as the one in Yakuza 0, but when I finished that part I'd a grin on my face.

 

[kamineko]

I just attacked her normally and shit eventually hit. I also used Rush.

I honestly just remember spamming attacks in rush.

Hopefully someone here has better advice

Thanks y'all. Three attempts in a row, I never landed a single hit so I thought it must be a trick. Asked for help, then the next time I knocked her down immediately twice in a row. Game must've been laughing at me.

 

[xezuru]

Thanks y'all. Three attempts in a row, I never landed a single hit so I thought it must be a trick. Asked for help, then the next time I knocked her down immediately twice in a row. Game must've been laughing at me.

Should've done what I did.

Spoiler

"I can dodge anything you throw at me"

or whatever. Yeah, but can you dodge a bullet, and killed her with a semi auto pistol

 

[xclk07]

All Climax battles completed. Though there were some awful ones, on the whole I'd say they weren't as BS as the ones in 0.

 

[Segaswirl]

I don't think I can get 950 on Otometal, it feels like i'm a million miles away. Highest score so far is 910.

 

[The Artisan]

i might just buy another copy of this game

 

[Koppai]

Just finished the main story. Just over 18 hours. <3

can't wait for Kiwami 2 and 6. Still need to play 3.

 

[The Artisan]

Just finished the main story. Just over 18 hours. <3

can't wait for Kiwami 2 and 6. Still need to play 3.

I started on 3. great game

 

[Koppai]

I started on 3. great game

I started with 4. Finished 4, 5, 0, and Kiwami.

 

[The Artisan]

I started with 4. Finished 4, 5, 0, and Kiwami.

never played 4, 5 i played only the first kiryu segment. when they switched characters i immediately lost interest.

if it ain't xo Kiryu, then it gotta go

 

[Charlouie Jonesman]

never played 4, 5 i played only the first kiryu segment. when they switched characters i immediately lost interest.

if it ain't xo Kiryu, then it gotta go

The issue isn't that it's not Kiryu, the issue is that Saejima in particular is boring to play as. My first game in the series was 4 and I loved the first segment as Akiyama but when it switched to Saejima I quickly lost interest.

Same with 5, loved the Kiryu section, but again, Saejima was the second character and I never continued from there.

 

[YakuzaArk92]

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0HKt-kbL9sb_GAN-dznUXxfTZYEFAsJu

Watch the original Yakuza Locations Tour series that started it all. Filmed in November 2012, this series is a comparison between Shinjuku's red-light district Kabukicho, and the fictionalized Kamurocho featured in Yakuza 5 (&#40845;&#12364;&#22914;&#12367;5 &#22818;&#12289;&#21494;&#12360;&#12375;&#32773.

&#40845;&#12364;&#22914;&#12367; : &#22580;&#25152;&#12398;&#12484;&#12450;&#12540; 2012

&#40845;&#12364;&#22914;&#12367;5 &#22818;&#12289;&#21494;&#12360;&#12375;&#32773; &#12466;&#12540;&#12512;&#12392;&#29694;&#23455;&#12434;&#21516;&#12376;&#22580;&#25152;&#12363;&#12425;&#27604;&#36611;&#12375;&#12390;&#12415;&#12383; &#27468;&#33310;&#20238;&#30010; & &#31070;&#23460;&#30010;

Yakuza Locations Tour 2016 series can be viewed here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0HKt-kbL9salfM8AniFF6VEkIygbcP_1

Thanks to arbok for creating a separate thread for the 2016 Locations Tour series:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1423556

 

[pa22word]

The issue isn't that it's not Kiryu, the issue is that Saejima in particular is boring to play as. My first game in the series was 4 and I loved the first segment as Akiyama but when it switched to Saejima I quickly lost interest.

Same with 5, loved the Kiryu section, but again, Saejima was the second character and I never continued from there.

Lulz I'm at the same point in 4...

I burned through Akiyama's part with all the joy in the world, but then got to the horrendously bad stealth shit with Saejima and have just never went back to it. I mean the prison stuff was pretty cool, but yeah man that stealth is just bleh. I plan to power through it and get to 5 before Y6 and all, but after like 70 hours in 0, 30 hours in this game, and around like 10-12 hours in 4 I think I'm okay taking a little Yakuza break for a bit lol >.>

 

[CertifiedFP]

Nice, finally got to the point in Majima Everywhere and Komaki's Training where the Dragon Style is shaping up to be what it's meant to be. Though I can't help but feel that it almost encourages a "passive" playstyle where I wait for enemies to attack for that Fist Reversal counter though, then switch to Rush/Brawler to build up Heat again.

 

[pa22word]

Nice, finally got to the point in Majima Everywhere and Komaki's Training where the Dragon Style is shaping up to be what it's meant to be. Though I can't help but feel that it almost encourages a "passive" playstyle where I wait for enemies to attack for that Fist Reversal counter though, then switch to Rush/Brawler to build up Heat again.

Once you get the first move knock down heatbar autofill upgrade opening an encounter with a charged shoulder tackle in beast and then annihilating everything just by sheer force of kiryu being able to ignore recovery frames on just about everything in climax beast makes me question this. Add in the Beast Medal for bonus damage and Kiryu becomes a human wrecking ball. Even gunshots in maxed beast can be taken in stride o.o

Plus ending encounters and (especially) bosses with the shoulder dislocation into body slam counter grab is so satisfying I never want to use anything else in a fight >.>

 

[Cess007]

Just finished the game; it took me exactly 25hrs and I enjoyed every second of it.

Overall, I liked the game quite a lot, but I can't help but feel that it's weaker than Yakuza 0. Specially with some plot points and the final chapter felt very rushed:

Spoiler

Nishiki is an awesome villain and it's a shame that he only appears for one final battle and the villain ends being the politician. I wanted him to appear more in the final chapter. Also, several things that Kazama does makes little to no-sense

.

Still, there's nothing out there like Yakuza with the blend of melodrama and wackiness and I can see myself coming back to complete as much as I can. It's driving me mad that I only have 3 locker keys left to find and I can't find them!!

 

[pa22word]

Just finished the game; it took me exactly 25hrs and I enjoyed every second of it.

Overall, I liked the game quite a lot, but I can't help but feel that it's weaker than Yakuza 0. Specially with some plot points and the final chapter felt very rushed:

Spoiler

Nishiki is an awesome villain and it's a shame that he only appears for one final battle and the villain ends being the politician. I wanted him to appear more in the final chapter. Also, several things that Kazama does makes little to no-sense

.

Still, there's nothing out there like Yakuza with the blend of melodrama and wackiness and I can see myself coming back to complete as much as I can. It's driving me mad that I only have 3 locker keys to find and I can't find them!!

Try using the locker finder gear and be sure to look in FPV. The game never explains this and I guess just expects you to have played previous games (it was explained outright in Y4) to know that there are keys you have to look at in order to get.

 

[eyeball_kid]

The Street Pack 2 DLC is now out, featuring Majima's snakeskin jacket outfit, plus some items for the pocket racers. It actually looks pretty good on Kiryu, but could use a tailor.

 

[Cess007]

Try using the locker finder gear and be sure to look in FPV. The game never explains this and I guess just expects you to have played previous games (it was explained outright in Y4) to know that there are keys you have to look at in order to get.

Sorry I mean, I meant only 3 left to find. Yes, the locker finder is god-sent. I will start checking for the last keys tomorrow

 

[evilalien]

Sorry I mean, I meant only 3 left to find. Yes, the locker finder is god-sent. I will start checking for the last keys tomorrow

Use http://dswiipspwikips3.jp/yakuza-kiwami/cheats-data/coin-locker-key.html if you get too frustrated.

 

[Ultimadrago]

It might be me, but Pocket Racers seems much more fair (in terms to optimized builds) this time around. Yakuza 0 had so much random bullshit when it came to flying off tracks, that it's nice to have one where having to mash O is less of an inevitability (likely ending up in flying off-track).

 

[burgerdog]

So how exactly do I trigger the Kiwami attacks when a boss is regenerating health? I got the in-game tooltip when they tell you about it and for some reason it's not in the notebook tutorials.

 

[Ultimadrago]

So how exactly do I trigger the Kiwami attacks when a boss is regenerating health? I got the in-game tooltip when they tell you about it and for some reason it's not in the notebook tutorials.

Go into the proper stance "whichever color the boss enemy's aura is" and press Triangle while in Heat. You need to unlock the abilities post-prologue, however. It'll show as "Essence of _____" in the Soul category for abilities. Make sure to get all three when you can because it's used a lot.

 

[GeeTeeCee]

There's a paid Majima Everywhere PS4 theme up on the UK PSN store (and presumably everywhere else too). I haven't found any footage online of it to see what it looks like yet.

 

[Dental Plan]

My friend let me borrow his PS4. I figured now was the time to get into the Yakuza series so I bought Yakuza Kiwani. So far I am really enjoying it. It reminds me of Shenmue quite a bit with the exception of no qte. Im enjoying the combat and story.

After I finish Kiwami I plan on playing 0 then I might play 2 or wait until Kiwami 2.

 

[Cess007]

So how exactly do I trigger the Kiwami attacks when a boss is regenerating health? I got the in-game tooltip when they tell you about it and for some reason it's not in the notebook tutorials.

Oh man, that was one of my few complains about the bosses.

Spoiler

Especially Nishiki, he can recover like 2 bars each time he does that

. Boss battles would be a lot shorter without that.

 

[SliChillax]

What do you guys recommend me doing in terms of quests? I'm not a fan of the mini games or filler content, I just want to experience the story and any essential side quests if there are any.

 

[Bam Chowder]

What do you guys recommend me doing in terms of quests? I'm not a fan of the mini games or filler content, I just want to experience the story and any essential side quests if there are any.

Personally I've just been moving through the main story and doing random side quests as I run into them. I've been really enjoying the game this way (I'm on the final chapter now) and haven't ever felt underleveled.

All of the side quests I've done have amounted to "short dialogue, short fight, short dialogue", so I don't think you'll be missing much if you just stick to the main story (admittedly I might be ignorant of some good side quests though).

 

[DrunkShogun]

I've got one side quest left but it doesn't seem to be activating. It's the one involving a bar near champion district. Was told it unlocks after buying a few drinks but no progress. Also have to play a dice game with haruka.

 

[Ultimadrago]

What do you guys recommend me doing in terms of quests? I'm not a fan of the mini games or filler content, I just want to experience the story and any essential side quests if there are any.

I'm only on Chapter 6 start, but I've done all the sidequests so far and they seem to be much weaker and less amusing than Yakuza 0's generally speaking. I haven't even run into one with a crazy great item. Most of those have been available through Bob's CP Shop or through chip exchange in a certain location. So, at this rate I'd recommend for you to just go through the story for the most part. Do sidequests when you're hungry for experience (aside Majima). A number of them are short, so it shouldn't be too bad.

 

[CannonFodder52]

I've got one side quest left but it doesn't seem to be activating. It's the one involving a bar near champion district. Was told it unlocks after buying a few drinks but no progress. Also have to play a dice game with haruka.

The quest wants you to be a regular patron before you start, keep going back there an buying drinks. I think I got most of the way through his list before it proc'd. Maybe change time of day, as some quests were unavailable during different times of day.

 

[SliChillax]

Personally I've just been moving through the main story and doing random side quests as I run into them. I've been really enjoying the game this way (I'm on the final chapter now) and haven't ever felt underleveled.

All of the side quests I've done have amounted to "short dialogue, short fight, short dialogue", so I don't think you'll be missing much if you just stick to the main story (admittedly I might be ignorant of some good side quests though).

I'm only on Chapter 6 start, but I've done all the sidequests so far and they seem to be much weaker and less amusing than Yakuza 0's generally speaking. I haven't even run into one with a crazy great item. Most of those have been available through Bob's CP Shop or through chip exchange in a certain location. So, at this rate I'd recommend for you to just go through the story for the most part. Do sidequests when you're hungry for experience (aside Majima). A number of them are short, so it shouldn't be too bad.

Got it, thanks

 

[Ultimadrago]

The quest wants you to be a regular patron before you start, keep going back there an buying drinks. I think I got most of the way through his list before it proc'd. Maybe change time of day, as some quests were unavailable during different times of day.

Yep, that took me about three-four times of drinking, walking out and returning to drink again before starting.

It was nighttime for me, but I'm not sure if time of day matters.

 

[CannonFodder52]

Yep, that took me about three-four times of drinking, walking out and returning to drink again before starting.

It was nighttime for me, but I'm not sure if time of day matters.

Yea, it's like the friendship system from Y0, except they just don't show you the progress bar.

Kinda weird, but whatever.

 

[Newboi]

I recently started doing the climax battles. They are extraordinarily annoying lol.

Are items gained from finishing the climax battle tiers immediately available in New Game Plus?

 

[evilalien]

I recently started doing the climax battles. They are extraordinarily annoying lol.

Are items gained from finishing the climax battle tiers immediately available in New Game Plus?

As soon as you can get to Bob, which is near immediate.

 

[Ultimadrago]

Bad-Ass Dad is the best sidestory I've run into so far. So random. lol

Another sidestory highlight - #53 Searching for the Present (Chapter 7):

Spoiler

Haruka watching in disgust as Kiryu purchases from the naughty maganize vending machine.

 

[toastyToast]

Just wrapped up. Was enjoyable on the whole but 0 is better in every respect. Maybe the upgrade system is better here. I found Majima Everywhere irritating more than amusing. The more scripted scenarios were pretty funny. The roaming/hiding Majimas can kick rocks though. At the point in the story where you fight Majima for real I'd just fought him 3 or 4 times in the last hour.

The story had

Spoiler

a lot less to do with Nishikiyama than I would have wanted or expected. He barely factors in. Jingu's role in the endgame and his fight are equally awful. Just a shitty dude who shits up everything. Of course that wasn't the last of him after that garbage fire of a boss battle.
Really hate that cliche.

 

[Ydelnae]

I just noticed I finished the game weeks ago and I didn't even write a post here lol. I will try to post some final impressions later.

I'm on the Haruka postgame requests, at the casino I used one of those special items that makes a 0/00 win guaranteed, and collected all the money she asked for. However, nothing happens and she keeps asking for more. Did I waste the special item and the even couldn't trigger?-

 

[evilalien]

I just noticed I finished the game weeks ago and I didn't even write a post here lol. I will try to post some final impressions later.

I'm on the Haruka postgame requests, at the casino I used one of those special items that makes a 0/00 win guaranteed, and collected all the money she asked for. However, nothing happens and she keeps asking for more. Did I waste the special item and the even couldn't trigger?-

It's not really wasted if you won chips off of it. She only wants you to win 1000 chips anyways which trivial with a single bet on red or black. As for why the event didn't trigger, you are probably at the wrong casino.

 

[Shin-Ra]

Or, if you fail to get the required score and leave the mini game, you have to quit the casino room and re-enter to reset Haruka’s request.

 

[Ultimadrago]

As much as I appreciate the Kiwami mechanic's purpose to mix up combat, I hate it and actually find it counterproductive to a free combat system. The healing factor for boss enemies is also much too quick. Thank God for Tiger Drop, evens those odds nicely.

Edit: Just completed Majima's Everywhere SSS sidequests. It was great to see Majima and Kiryu connect in different ways, though all of the Majima confrontations got a bit long in the tooth, certainly. (Spoilers for said quest)

Spoiler

Oh my God, Hostess Goromi! Haha!

 

[Newboi]

If you want to expose everything wrong with Yakuza's combat system and enemy AI design, please play the climax battles. OMG were they frustrating. Locking On is ambiguous, inaccurate, and outright finicky; you don't have as much freedom when it comes to canceling moves or changing the target you are attacking; enemies have nonsensical super armor at random times; enemies can instantly dodge directly behind you and auto track you with their attacks at will, while your character can't do either of those; Lastly, receiving a heat action prompt doesn't always mean you will get a heat action when pressing triangle.

Now that my rant is over, I'm on the Ultimate Battle portion of the Climax Battles. Just five more challenges to go and I can finally be done with them. Funny enough though, it seems like each challenge tier is easier than the last so far. The Proving Grounds challenges were stupidly unfair, the Melee Battle challenges were tough but manageable, and the Majima challenges were surprisingly easy. I guess I'll see tonight what the Ultimate Battle trails will entail.

 

[Ultimadrago]

Damn, all truth right there. I got the Platinum in Yakuza 0 in a fever high, but I decided against that for Kiwami (and probably any other due to the tedium). Some of the Climax Battles from Y0 had me seething with anger, so you bringing them up reminds me of those times.

I'm curious to see how much shit gets flung your way in Kiwami's, so I may do a morbid check after I'm through with story.

 

[Shadowman16]

Damn, all truth right there. I got the Platinum in Yakuza 0 in a fever high, but I decided against that for Kiwami (and probably any other due to the tedium). Some of the Climax Battles from Y0 had me seething with anger, so you bringing them up reminds me of those times.

I'm curious to see how much shit gets flung your way in Kiwami's, so I may do a morbid check after I'm through with story.

I don't see what was so hard about 0's climax battles. Most of them were really easy (for me). Only one that felt legit badly designed was one of millionaire fights which had you fighting Mr Shakedown in a tight alleyway, making it incredibly hard to dodge him. The rest were just a matter of using what you have available to you - and in some of the boss fights just spamming Majima's break dancing which is hilariously over powered.

I didn't find Kiwami's that much harder either, only one that stuck out for me was the final mission, as its a pretty long mission with a few tough bosses along the way. Though I still really liked what they did with it.

Maybe I've just become so acclimated to the combat in the series over the years that this stuff doesn't phase me any more?

And hey, look on the bright side! The original climax missions in the PS2 game were way harder than what has been included in any of the series. I had to give up when those challenges wanted me to clear the entire restaurant level without taking any damage (and bearing in might how much worse the lock on, camera and heat moves were in the PS2 game, that's almost impossible!)

 

[Ultimadrago]

Just got to Chapter 13. I wonder if the story beats were presented as weak in the original as they are here. It really hasn't done much for me so far. I'm not even really endeared to Haruka, while she has some amusing moments teasing Kiryu.

I don't see what was so hard about 0's climax battles. Most of them were really easy (for me). Only one that felt legit badly designed was one of millionaire fights which had you fighting Mr Shakedown in a tight alleyway, making it incredibly hard to dodge him. The rest were just a matter of using what you have available to you - and in some of the boss fights just spamming Majima's break dancing which is hilariously over powered.

I didn't find Kiwami's that much harder either, only one that stuck out for me was the final mission, as its a pretty long mission with a few tough bosses along the way. Though I still really liked what they did with it.

Maybe I've just become so acclimated to the combat in the series over the years that this stuff doesn't phase me any more?

And hey, look on the bright side! The original climax missions in the PS2 game were way harder than what has been included in any of the series. I had to give up when those challenges wanted me to clear the entire restaurant level without taking any damage (and bearing in might how much worse the lock on, camera and heat moves were in the PS2 game, that's almost impossible!)

Nah, Mr.Shakedown in the alleyway was pretty easy for me. He moves very clumsily, so it's easy to dodge him even in tight spaces. I had a harder time with randomized Majima.

 

[Shadowman16]

Yeah, I had a feeling you'd mention randomised Majima but that one has a simple pattern to it. Use the fish cannon on groups near the start and end of the challenge, use the square X4 > triangle combo for dancer and pretty much anything (heat moves included) for slugger. Made it a cake walk for me.

 

[Ultimadrago]

It's pretty odd that (Chapter 1 to 2)

Spoiler

the cafeteria assassination attempt from Sera

was explained through a substory. On one hand, I appreciate when the main narrative can have a connection to the substory. However, given their connection to Kazama I think explanation may have served better closer to the main story rather than a late game sidequest that some may not run into.