SEGA Yakuza: Like a Dragon - Day Ichi Edition - PlayStation 4

I have been playing video games for over 30 years, and RPGs are typically my favorite genre. I have also played nearly all the US releases of the Yakuza series (Yakuza 0, Kiwami 1 and 2, the originally released Yakuza 3, 4, 5, 6, and even Dead Souls). I have either platinumed or played at least 150 hrs on every iteration. Yakuza 4 and 5 are probably my favorites out of the bunch. I still haven't played Judgment, mainly because the main character, Kiryu, was not involved (I know that sounds ridiculous, but it's not Ryu ga Gotoku without him). Similarly, I was hesitant to pick up Like a Dragon because of the absence of Kiryu and because of the different play style, which is more turn-based traditional JRPG style vs. the previous action-RPG type.However, I want this game to get more attention and praise, because I absolutely loved this game. Sega needs to support this studio, and they need to continue their games. The play style is easy to understand, there's no Final Fantasy style ATB charges or confusing enemy staggering guidelines. The game tries to mimic the simpler straightforward Dragon Quest-like gameplay (which is also referenced frequently throughout the game and a ton of grinding). The item acquisition and upgrade logic is also pretty straightforward (though requires a lot of in-game currency), and there aren't any convoluted side-quests that need to be accomplished. In all honesty, the gameplay is almost too simplistic. But it is addictive because of its ease and simplicity.The characters caught me by surprise, as I didn't think I'd like them so much, particularly the main character Kasuga Ichiban, who is very different than Kiryu. But in general, all the playable characters (as well as a couple of the NPCs) are extremely likeable. The story itself is also much easier to follow than Kiryu's Yakuza series, which oftentimes are littered with betrayals, rival gangs, multiple backstories, and whatnot (basically, soap operas). So newcomers should not have a problem following the content.Most of the minigames are still there, which are always great (I even learned how to play most of them, but I am still very confused by Pachinko and Shogi). And like every Yakuza game, there are side-job type games. One of the biggest differences though is actually the "adult" content, which has been very toned down here. The previous Yakuza games were more apparent in the red-light type of activities (e.g., saunas, videos, dating, etc.). The dating and hostess bar aspects are still here, but they are much more graphically toned-down versions compared to Kiryu's Yakuza. This is neither a complaint nor a praise, but to each their own...Lastly, newcomers should be able to enjoy this game thoroughly, but there are so many easter eggs, cameos, and references to the past series that very much made me embrace this game even more. There are several moments that really pulled on my emotions purely out of nostalgia. Yakuza 4 and 5 are still my favorites in the series, but LAD is easily just beneath them.If you're even remotely interested in the Yakuza series, or enjoy RPG's, get this game. Support Ryu Ga Gotoku studios and Sega.

The game is 10/10 but I wanted the NA version, I got the AR version instead.

FANTASTIC game! Product arrived on time and we received the upgraded collector's tin edition. Didn't realize that was what we ordered because we got it at such a great price. What a fun surprise! Thank you!!

Por que empezar por este Yakuza, el cuál es la 7ma entrega numerada (al menos en japón) como tu primer Yakuza? Bueno pues...Nuevo prota, nuevos personajes alrededor de el, el segundo juego de la saga subtitulado al español! Y te da a elegir en doblaje Japonés o Inglés. Pero créanme que jugarlo en su idioma original, en japonés, es un deleite.Con gusto recomendaría a todos los interesados en Yakuza que jugaran toda la saga. Tienen unas historias brutales, emotivas, a lo mejor un poco confusas en la 4ta y 5ta entrega, y tambíen tienen las mejores misiones secundarias en los juegos. La comedia es muy buena y cuando son misiones secundarias serias, son muy emotivas, siempre otorgándote una lección en la vida.Ahora, Like a Dragon es un RPG por turnos, de hecho tiene mucha inspiración en Dragon Quest y Persona, los personajes se mueven mucho y tienen habilidades como que retorcidas, osea si tienes a un miembro en tu equipo que actua como "mago negro", en lugar de lanzar un rayo, te lanza migajas de pan y luego las palomas golpean a tu enemigo, como ejemplo. O para bajar la defensa de un enemigo, uno de tus miembros lo hace con su mal aliento de vagabundo. Son muy creativos con ello. Los juegos anteriores eran Brawler, osea con ciertas combinaciones de botones peleabas ante hordas de enemigos y eras todo un Badass, aquí lo haces por turnos ya que el protagonista lo vee todo como si fuera un RPGIchiban Kasuga, el prota, es demasiado Identificable con uno, es un tonto carismático, fuerte y con un honor alto. Creo que comparado a Kazuma Kiryu, el prota del resto de la saga, es un excelente personaje (al menos hasta donde he jugado), es tan diferente a el que lo hace único y como algo fresco en la saga.Creo que es el perfecto Yakuza para empezar, sobretodo por la barrera del idioma Japonés e Inglés, ahora en español, nueva saga básicamente, muy buen humor, la historia hasta ahorita me ha enganchado bastante, y otro punto positivo es que como es un RPG, no sólo tienes a Ichiban, si no a otros miembros del equipo con sus personalidades muy buenas y sus historias aún por desenvolver.Por cierto hice preventa del título y me llegó 1 día después del lanzamiento, no me quejo, llegó en excelentes condiciones.

i've really enjoyed playing this game