Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties

rgg quit retconning random ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ challenge (imposible)

I seriously don't know why I spent the time to 100% this game. It's filled with bloat that they felt like adding to pad out game time and features that they put in other games just to get more use out of (like customizing Kiryu and his phone, as well as a whole substory about a Biker Gang). While the Ryuku style has sorta grown on me over my gameplay, I really felt like it could've been used for a new character in a new spinoff entry instead. RGG also had an opportunity to make it [i]not[/i] "Blockuza Kiwami 3", but they left that completely intact. Oh, and they added a substory that also spoils plot points for two later games... for no reason. The only thing I didn't have much issue with was Dark Ties, which is the shortest story ever (Three chapters long. For reference, the second shortest story in the franchise, as far as I'm aware of, is the Kaito Files for Lost Judgment, at five chapters). New retcons, new bloat features, and not much of a better experience compared to Yakuza 3 Remaster. Buy a used copy on console, or on GOG instead. Don't be like me, and use your spare 50+ hours on something else instead.

Haven't finished it yet, but is good game. It's not Yakuza 3 by a long shot and is a completely new experience, it's a new yakuza game that vaguely follows Yk3. Sort of a shame as Yk3 was my first yakuza and my favourite despite the hate for this entry. Vibes are great, people hate the "bloat" they've added but honestly it makes the game feel more alive with how much there is to do. Combat is honestly some of the most satisfying imo, probably doesn't have as much depth as other yakuza games. Performance is average. Also they done my boy Rikiya DIRTY.

https://www.tiktok.com/@judgemetkazzy1988/video/7651686274507771167?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Solid entry following the Kiwami 2 remake. Story-wise the beginning felt overwhelming and a little over the place but I enjoyed it a lot by the end, not to mention the second storyline Dark Ties that was surprisingly amazing. It was definitely a great addition for added context, but I do think this story could have been told in the Yakuza 0 style with back and forward between the 2 protagonists. I think the substories were really on point and blended nicely with everything. The combat was even more fun and explosive than ever while still having that classic Yakuza style. I understand this game has gotten a lot of mixed reviews but I certainly still recommend it on sale: It's not perfect, it feels a bit bloated with content sometimes, the visuals while beautiful felt a bit too harshly vibrant and saturated for this sort of game personally. Overall good game.

8/10