Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

[regemond]

Kinda surprised there's no thread on this yet, but anyway. I've tried to get into the Yakuza series over and over again. I love the juxtaposition of serious gangster shit and nutty stuff like collecting softcore porn and helping a Michael Jackson ripoff remake Thriller. For whatever reason, though, it's just never quite managed to get its claws into me.

 

After 15 hours, I think this might have changed that mindset. It's like Black Flag through the lens of a JP developer, and I'm having a blast with it. Collecting crewmates, making friends, just being a pirate in general, it's just fun. I'll post more a bit later, but I wanted to open the conversation, because this is dumb in all the best ways.

[mfnick]

Been a bit obsessed with Black Myth otherwise I’d have started sooner but I’ve fully done that now so made a start.
 

Only played about 30 minutes so not got much to say but already loving how brutal it is. The little kid better not be around for it all though otherwise it might get fucked off. He’s already getting on my nerves. Hopefully the little shit gets kidnapped or something. 

[regemond]

He's not been kidnapped so far, but once the game lets you free roam he's a lot less annoying and just follows you about on your Segways.

[DANGERMAN]

I'm only a couple of hours in, very little time recently. I've had my first ship battle and seen the musical number 

[mfnick]

People say Yakuza/LAD games start slow. I’ve never really agreed with that or been bothered by it. Always just loved getting soaked up in the new information and character interactions.

 

This one though, jeez. Got to be honest, the first 4 hours I was worried I might not like this instalment - not helped by that brat Noah and my general disregard for pirate themed shit. I don’t give a fuck about hunting pirate treasure, sailing about etc. I’ve been missing Goro’s normal more crazy personality too. 
 

However I’ve finally reached Honolulu, getting side quests, hunting down crew mates etc.  and it’s all starting to click a lot more now. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the last couple of hours. We’re back baby! 
 

Noah can still fuck off though. Little mardy prick. 
 

Captain Beef rules. 

[mfnick]

 

Masaru man, what a fucking legend. 

[regemond]

I fucking LOVED that entire side-story. Rosie was watching while I played it and was just absolutely baffled to what was going on. 

 

I'm about half way through the main story now, and I've done all the trophies except three - defeating the Amon pirates, and completing the last couple of chapters - so it seems like I'll hit a rare plat for this.

 

Honestly, I struggled to get into these games in the past. I wanted to like them, and I've tried 0 multiple times, but they always seemed to lose my attention relatively quickly. I'm hopeful this one has turned that around. It's great fun, and the contrast between the more serious beats of the story and things like taking pictures of sickos is just so silly in the best way.

 

Is this a full-length Yakuza title? I've logged around 30-ish hours on it, and I'm curious if the other titles are longer or if it's about right for this series. Playing around 10 other titles that are 70-ish hours each sounds a little overwhelming. Playing 10, 30-ish hour titles feels much more manageable.

[mfnick]

Yea it was brilliant. Someone mentioned how you can see the reflection of the crew filming it laughing in the glasses. So insanely stupid and good.

 

I completed it yesterday and got the platinum in 30 hours. I really enjoyed it. The combat is probably the most I’ve enjoyed it in the classic brawler style. A little paired back though. I think overall it was more enjoyable for more of the time than The Man Who Erased His Name. That had some incredible highs in it though which this doesn’t match. The whole ending section was absolutely brilliant though as usual. They really know how to finish a game at RGG. 
 

This is definitely a lot shorter and absolutely a side entry not a full sized one. Still, if you mainline them most of the main games are usually around 40 hours so not too bad. You’re missing out on a lot of the good shit if you don’t do more of the stuff though. As you’ve probably found in this, the sub stories (like that Masaru one) sometimes have the best shit in them. Then you’re starting to get into the 70hour times. 

 

If anyone here likes Yakuza but aren’t picking this one up for whatever reason I recommend you still check out the post credit scene. 

[regemond]

And done, along with the platinum. Getting to the Amon pirates was ridiculously tough, but everything else felt a bit easy, at least in Standard difficulty. What a fun game. Just really, really enjoyable all the way through.

 

Even acquired seven golden balls for a guy called Shen, who granted me a wish. That was nice of him. Thought I was Kakarot, not Majima for a few minutes there.

 

I honestly loved that Samoa Joe was a big part in it too. He was apparently really good as the clown in Twisted Metal, and I've liked him since I saw him wrestling in TNA like 20 years ago. Such a big presence, and he suited the theme really well.

[mfnick]

3 hours ago, regemond said:

He was apparently really good as the clown in Twisted Metal,

Can confirm. 
 

3 hours ago, regemond said:

Getting to the Amon pirates was ridiculously tough,

I didn’t find getting to them tough. But beating the boss fight was a mofo. Took me a fair few goes and used every healing item I had procured up to that point. Only used a handful, if that, throughout the rest of the game. 

[regemond]

Ahh I just spammed the heat refuelling from booze, and used the summons whenever they were available. His specials were a pain to figure out, especially while 

Spoiler

he was raining swords on your head while his clones were shooting at you!

 

Took me three attempts to beat him on his own, but it was the last tournament battle in Madlantis that caused me the most trouble before I actually unlocked them. For whatever reason it just took me about 15 attempts to beat. After that, the ship battle with the Amon crew was plain sailing (sorry) in comparison.