I bought the game on a risk after seeing that goofy chicken scene hoping I would get a wacky and goofy Japanese GTA-esque game. But after 12 hours or so I just can't believe how much I'm enjoying it. The story is really compelling and interesting. I'm writing this post a day removed from what I think is one of my favorite scenes in any game in recent memory and I can't stop thinking about it. The thick melodrama and badass characters are just so much fun. The game depends a lot on you liking the characters and buying into the tone of the world they're presenting and for me it totally lands perfectly.
The combat can be kinda janky at times, it's not perfect, but I also think it's one of those things where you get used to it and as you unlock more abilities it starts to feel more fluid. I do really like the canned finishing move animations, they still aren't really boring after 12 hours because there's so much impact built in to them.
The world feels lovingly built, as the game is set in the 80s pretty much everything from the ads and products you buy and see in the game are (to my cursory knowledge) context appropriate. Sometimes I just like to walk around and look at the signs and shops and street lights.The side quests are pretty hilarious and serve as a good foil to the heavy story beats.
Anyway, hopefully people aren't upset I didn't just dump this in the Yakuza 0 OT, I really wasn't expecting to like this game as much as I do, and I wanted to say that if you're marginally interested in Yakuza 0: If you're looking for a good serious mobster story with lots of fun things to do and see on the side, you should definitely give this game a shot.
edit: Just editing this in here because I beat the game: My final thoughts
The combat can be kinda janky at times, it's not perfect, but I also think it's one of those things where you get used to it and as you unlock more abilities it starts to feel more fluid. I do really like the canned finishing move animations, they still aren't really boring after 12 hours because there's so much impact built in to them.
The world feels lovingly built, as the game is set in the 80s pretty much everything from the ads and products you buy and see in the game are (to my cursory knowledge) context appropriate. Sometimes I just like to walk around and look at the signs and shops and street lights.The side quests are pretty hilarious and serve as a good foil to the heavy story beats.
Anyway, hopefully people aren't upset I didn't just dump this in the Yakuza 0 OT, I really wasn't expecting to like this game as much as I do, and I wanted to say that if you're marginally interested in Yakuza 0: If you're looking for a good serious mobster story with lots of fun things to do and see on the side, you should definitely give this game a shot.
edit: Just editing this in here because I beat the game: My final thoughts