-Actual game-


Just started playing. I saw it was Sega and was sad, but had to try it anyway. I expected it to be like Shenmue, (Dreamcast), and it is in a lot of ways. Which sucks, because though Shenmue had an eh- C+ grade narrative and B- grade story, the gameplay by today's standards is C-.

Yakuza lacks any intuitive camera control, though does feature a Dynasty Warriorsish 'get behind you when you push a button' cam. Which can lead to skips and jitters up the wazoo if a wall is behind you, or something the camera can't navigate through/around.

The combat is pretty meh too, and is quite repetetive. There's an upgrade system that allows for a few more moves, but pretty much don't impact gameplay too much. Think again back to Dynasty warriors. IE: Basics


Punch once: []

Punch twice: [] []

Punch thrice: [] [] []

Kick: /\

Punch+Punch harder: [] /\

Doomed tummy: [] [] /\

Uppercut of doom: [] [] [] /\

Gran n' toss: O, O

Grab n' smash mofo into wall (special, requires wall) : O, /\

Grab and punches: O, [] [] []

Grab and harder punches: O, [] /\

Grab and even more harder punches: O, [] [] /\


You can pick up weapons which do variations of the same punch combos, but they break after a few attacks with them. The combat is pretty hit and miss, and there's laggy animations involved- so if you miss you've got a bullseye on you. Enemies can miss too, which makes you all look like Drunks, but with no real way to block attacks (you're usually facing multiple enemies on your lonesome), you can get pummeled by the lamest enemy. Dodging is achieved by running circles everywhere.

The exploration is pretty dull (at least it seems so, 3 hours into it). No camera control, so you're forced to run around the streets, with people blabbering around you (in FFVIII-ish text boxes), and the redundant sfx of civilians talking makes the game feel like more of a game and less than an illusion.

But aside from the points where you actually have to do some playing, the story (generic as it is), is told well, and the voice acting is great. (B grade) I wish it were more of a movie for this reason, but then again- it's not too hard to play to get from point A to B, and then hit more story areas with more exposition.

So in short, you're a Yakuza member who's finally going to make it 'big' and start your own family, but then your buddy ends up killing your family boss (his too) when bossman tries to hurt friend's galpal. You save his ass and do ten years in his place- nobody ever knows the truth 'cept you, the gal (who has amnesia after the incident- plot device), and of course Mr. Shootsalot.

Ten years in jail, you're finally given parole. Not soon out, you find out the shocker- guess who's suddenly trying to become top dog.


Yeah, it's been done before in other ways, but it's not too bad seeing it in game form, and having it told to you in a nice presentation. (sans the gameplay).

Just thinking about it though, I really doubt there's any replay value once you've actually completed the plot. The ending here is really where they have the chance to surprise you, but after that, you might touch the game once or twice a year.


The story is okay, gameplay is meh. You can get through it if you find the story intruiging, but if you have the chance, just rent it.


Lawl at the thousands of F-bombs in this game. Srsly, hide the parents.

Yeah this game quite slow but still have a good storyline, which simple,we can predict but still good for me. Beside I like his style, cool, responsbility, and optimistic.

He is a cool character. I just wish the game was done by a more professional studio. They are already working on the sequel though- I guess it's easier to get funding for smaller games overseas than it is here in the states and in the UK. We're much more critical, which can be a bad thing too.

Owh, so they'd the sequel. I hope it will not be as the previously... I hope they'll change the gameplay and battle-style.. is was too easy and simple as for me. I hope something more action and cool maybe like Samurai Warrior 2 plus with DMC but I know they've little budget which limited the potential of this game.

I have the demo, it's good, annd I find it hillariouse with the CROCH STAMPING